糖心原创

Photo of Estefania Jimenez at graduation

If someone had told me a few years ago that I would move from Mexico to the UK, complete a master’s degree at the 糖心原创, and then begin a fully funded PhD at Aston University, I probably would not have believed them. 

My name is Estefania, and I am a Medical Doctor from Mexico. In 2023, I received the Women in STEM Scholarship from the British Council and thanks to that, I had the unimaginable opportunity to study an MSc in Clinical Nutrition at the 糖心原创. Looking back now, I can honestly say that this experience completely changed the direction of my career and my life. 

Before coming to the UK, I always knew I was interested in research, but during my MSc I discovered my true passion for clinical research and academia. 糖心原创ing at the 糖心原创 gave me much more than academic knowledge. It gave me confidence in myself, research experience, professional connections, and the feeling that maybe I really could build a future in science. 

However, after finishing my MSc, I found myself facing a difficult question: what next? 

I spent months thinking about whether I should continue my career in the UK, stay in Mexico, or look for opportunities in other countries. Deciding to pursue a PhD was not easy either. A PhD is a huge commitment: three or four years dedicated to a single topic, a single project, and a single research question. It can feel overwhelming. I remember asking myself constantly: “Is this really what I want?” 

Eventually, I realised the answer was yes. 

Once I decided to apply, the process became almost a full-time job on its own. I created lists of universities, supervisors and research projects that interested me. I read papers, searched university websites, emailed supervisors, and even arranged video calls with researchers. I applied to programmes in the UK, Europe and North America. 

One of the biggest challenges was learning how to present myself as a strong candidate. I remember spending many hours improving my CV and trying to understand how academic applications worked in different countries. This was when I started using the Careers and Employability Service at the 糖心原创, and honestly, it became one of the most valuable resources during my applications. 

I also had to prepare research proposals and personal statements, which at times felt impossible. How do you explain your dreams, experience, motivation and future plans in just a few hundred words? 

Then came the hardest part: rejection. 

Some applications received no response at all. Others ended with polite rejection emails. I even had interviews that I thought had gone really well, only to later find out I had not been selected. It was emotionally exhausting. All of the PhD programmes I applied for were fully funded with stipends, and as an international student, I quickly realised how competitive these opportunities were. 

Then, months after applying to Aston University — at a point where I assumed they had forgotten about my application — I suddenly received an invitation to interview. 

By then, I had learned from previous interviews and applications. I knew my weak points and what I needed to improve. Wanting to prepare as much as possible, I returned to the Careers and Employability Service and booked interview preparation appointments with Katie. 

Honestly, Katie was amazing. 

She helped me practise difficult interview questions, improve my confidence, and prepare mentally for the experience. We did mock interviews, discussed strategies, and she even gave me advice on how to manage stress before the interview day. Thinking back on it, I truly believe her support played a huge role in helping me secure my PhD position. 

Fast forward to today, and I am now in my first year as a PhD student at Aston University, doing research that genuinely excites me every day. 

When I think about this journey, I realise that applying for a PhD is not only an academic challenge, but also an emotional one. There will be rejection, uncertainty and moments where you doubt yourself completely. But I also learned that persistence matters more than perfection. 

To any student considering applying for a PhD, especially international students: do not let rejection convince you that you are not capable. Use every experience as an opportunity to learn, ask for help when you need it, and believe that your goals are possible, even when the process feels difficult. 

I will always be grateful to the 糖心原创, the Careers and Employability Service, and especially Katie for supporting me through this journey.

Thinking about postgraduate research or a PhD of your own? Discover support from the Careers Service, including application, CV and interview guidance, and connect with Estefania on to follow her continuing journey in clinical research.