Perseverance, purpose and giving back
After six and a half years of study, setbacks, life changes and determination, Thara Prabhakar crossed the graduation stage with a sense of accomplishment that was about much more than earning a qualification.
Graduating with a PhD in Social Work, Thara describes the milestone as both a celebration and a moment of healing.
“More than an academic achievement, graduating felt deeply healing. It was a moment of embracing the little girl who dreamed of having ‘Dr’ before her name, and of showing the world that women are worthy of taking up space, pursuing their ambitions, and being recognised for their achievements.”
But while one chapter has closed, another is only just beginning.
“This journey was not easy, but today I can see its beauty in its entirety, and I am ready for the next chapter to begin,” she says.
Originally from India, Thara has called New Zealand home for the past seven years. Her path to social work was shaped by a commitment to supporting others and her own experiences.
“I’ve always been drawn to supporting people. My own life experiences shaped me deeply, and social work became my way of healing and giving back to the community.”
That commitment became the driving force behind years of research, study and perseverance. The journey, however, was far from straightforward.
“It took six and a half years to finish, and life certainly happened along the way. There were countless moments when giving up would have been easier and a million reasons to stop, yet I kept moving forward, one step at a time.”
During that time, she navigated the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected her research and personal circumstances. While undertaking data collection, she became stranded in India for several months before receiving support from the university to return to New Zealand.
Alongside the academic challenges came significant milestones in her personal life. Thara’s son was born while she was completing her doctoral studies.
“When I submitted my first full draft, I was heavily pregnant, and my son was born the next day.”
Throughout the journey, the support of family was invaluable.
“My family have always been my greatest source of strength. My husband, Bijo, my son, Aadvick, and our first baby, Aazhi, whom parted us physically, have walked beside me through every high and low. In many ways, we walked and grew together in this journey.”
She is also deeply grateful to her supervisors, whom she credits with helping her reach the finish line.
“My supervisors, Kieran and Nicky, have been the anchors of this journey. They believed in me at every stage, far more than I believed in myself at times, and continued to support me even when I struggled to do so myself.”
Thara acknowledges the guidance of her supervisors from the Social Work Department, Professor Kieran O’Donoghue and Associate Professor Nicky Stanley-Clarke, whose encouragement helped sustain her through some of the most challenging moments.
Looking back, one lesson stands out above all others. It is the advice her supervisors shared at the beginning of her doctorate and one that continued to guide her throughout the years.
“One lesson stayed with me throughout my PhD that it’s not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about perseverance. It’s about showing up even when nobody is watching, continuing whether or not anyone would blame you for stopping, and taking the next step even when you feel like giving up.”
Today, as she reflects on her journey, Thara says she feels a deep sense of peace.
“I feel at peace with the journey, with the challenges it brought, and with the person it helped me become. The woman I have become is holding tightly the little girl in me who once hated being a girl, and she is proud of me!”