Children, Employment and PhD

00:00:12: Welcome to today's episode of Chances and Challenges,

00:00:13: the BDHS

00:00:14: podcast.

00:00:15: I'm your host Sabine Schäfer.

00:00:17: Today we're dealing with a question what it feels like to have children while doing a PhD in being employed at university?

00:00:34: To be honest, I don't have children myself.

00:00:40: But…I have an expert on this topic with me – Sophie Borchelt!

00:00:45: Dear Sophie ….

00:00:45: I'm very happy to help you here.

00:00:47: Thanks for the invitation Sabine….

00:00:49: I am also glad to be here.

00:00:52: Sophie holds a bachelor degree in the studies of Latin and ancient America And two master's degrees.

00:00:57: One is German as second language and German philology The other one in gender studies.

00:01:04: Since autumn, she is doing her PhD in sociology here at Bielefeld University and a member of the BGHS.

00:01:11: In her dissertation project She investigates how to overcome social marginality as an example for neighborhood grassroots work in extra-parliamentary left wing contexts And works as coordinator internationalization.

00:01:26: Sophie, I'd like to start our conversation with a professional question.

00:01:30: What is it you're doing as a coordinator of internationalization for the faculty?

00:01:35: So i started my position

00:01:38: last

00:01:38: May.

00:01:39: so its about eight months that am now in this position and there are different aspects im dealing with mainly focusing on our international students.

00:01:49: we have MA Sociology International Track each semester happy to have about thirty international students at our university and faculty, sorry.

00:02:03: And my main responsibility is to support them by the organization of their studies.

00:02:12: so everything which is dealing with how it's a module working?

00:02:17: How should I structure my timetable?

00:02:21: what are challenges i need doing in my daily working business.

00:02:30: And of course I'm also responsible for those students at our faculty who like to go outside, do a semester abroad and i'm also giving them orientation coordinating the processes.

00:02:45: so you are in your daily work?

00:02:48: You're also dealing with some kind of care.

00:02:52: let's say yes

00:02:55: Yes, yes.

00:02:58: I've never thought about it in this way but by saying so... It is!

00:03:03: Yeah

00:03:04: they are adults

00:03:06: But most of them come to Germany and the first time that they're coming They challenge quite a lot different aspects Everything new not just university life but also life in Germany And therefore they have quite lots of questions and what I'm offering is a consultation office hours.

00:03:33: So talking about, What's going on most off the time?

00:03:37: They are just coming with.

00:03:38: Ah!

00:03:39: Like something i would like to talk bout how organize my studies but when there with me it much more.

00:03:49: It´s about life.

00:03:50: I know that as well from my job and i like it very much.

00:04:04: Life will work what I'm doing.

00:04:06: So this is What?

00:04:09: Well, I am feeling exactly in these moments.

00:04:11: Yeah

00:04:12: so now you have two children who are nine and seven years old And you're not living in Bielefeld but in Bremen which is about to hours by train.

00:04:21: How do we manage it?

00:04:23: Normally i'm at the faculty on Tuesday and Wednesday.

00:04:27: I come to be left in tuesday morning early In The Morning.

00:04:30: To Be Honest departure Prim is most of the time like six thirty.

00:04:37: I'm here at nine o'clock and then on Tuesday, I stay the whole day in the faculty And at night i am going to with a house friend of

00:04:47: mine.

00:04:49: Well...I studied in Bielefeldt therefore..

00:04:53: ..i have

00:04:54: still friends here and they are offering places to be, to sleep.

00:05:01: To calm down after a long day of like working and traveling.

00:05:09: And then on Wednesday I come back to my office stay here until the afternoon.

00:05:19: Two times, two days and one week I'm here in Bielefeld.

00:05:24: And the rest of the week you are working at home?

00:05:27: Yes!

00:05:29: While your away... Your partner cares for children.

00:05:33: We divided our days so i have a responsibility on Monday normally and Thursday On Tuesday, on Wednesday he's responsible for both and also on Friday afternoon.

00:05:51: He is taking care of them And then like in the afternoon late after noon it's my It's my case.

00:06:02: So you have a, let's say weekly schedule.

00:06:06: who is responsible when.

00:06:08: And I mean this also very nice for the children as well because they know right?

00:06:12: Yes and maybe it's nice to know that my partner from Brazil so with him there are just talking in Portuguese.

00:06:25: looking back The eight months when I started my position in May last year, and now i see that the language skills of my children improved.

00:06:36: They know better talking Portuguese.

00:06:39: they were able to understand everything.

00:06:42: but since there are no two days entirely days with my partner just talking in portuguese at home They are improving their language skills and it's very nice to see.

00:06:55: And that makes also a difference for him because before they were used to talk with him in German, It was always like well there my children I want them talking to me in Portuguese.

00:07:14: now we have more Together.

00:07:21: I don't know how to explain, but they...I feel this when i come back and see them on Thursday.

00:07:28: I think the relationship changed somehow.

00:07:32: so your partner has a chance to be closer with children?

00:07:37: Yes he was always close in that sense of language because you also transport transporting feelings, emotion everything and now they are able to express those emotions in the language he's also using.

00:07:59: And

00:08:00: what with his native language?

00:08:02: Yes

00:08:02: it is native

00:08:03: language yeah...and

00:08:05: this makes a difference I think.

00:08:07: so i see it in the relationship.

00:08:10: So yes somehow their closer but This is the right expression to explain what's going on in this

00:08:22: kind.

00:08:23: Perhaps they are sharing more?

00:08:25: Maybe, yes!

00:08:28: This could be.

00:08:31: That's great, that is interesting!

00:08:32: So this what we are now used to do in our relationship and family life... ...that sharing the days has also impacts on the relationship between

00:08:50: us?

00:08:50: Yeah yeah, that's great.

00:08:52: Now getting the PhD and employment reconciled is already a big challenge for many people, but in your case there are children on top even if you have good share with your partner.

00:09:03: How does it work?

00:09:06: Well I need to love because at that moment –to be honest–I don't know how its working.

00:09:12: so i'm...at end of my dissertation nearly… I can see the end.

00:09:19: Maybe it's a better explanation for this?

00:09:23: It is light at the end of the tunnel!

00:09:27: Yes,

00:09:29: let us say that way.

00:09:30: yes.

00:09:30: So... The pressure is

00:09:34: quite

00:09:34: high.

00:09:36: so well i am working in full time and also full-time mum because caring isn't stopping Of course, I'm not there like two days but when i am there and they are their mother.

00:09:54: And at the moment... ...I see that im not able to handle everything like used before.

00:10:05: So now Im using my weekends To writing and this means they can't see me.

00:10:17: I'm not there, my partner needs to take more care of them.

00:10:24: so i am using and somehow is time.

00:10:28: And this what actually going on right now..and...I know that like four or five months it will be go on this way.

00:10:46: My children know about it, I always talked about what's going with them.

00:10:52: so they know that i'm doing?

00:10:57: That doesn't mean that they like me but they know

00:11:01: and

00:11:03: somehow can understand because when they were born...I was writing at the university.

00:11:10: so there is no need to do those things And this is sometimes nice to know.

00:11:17: for me, giving means somehow freedom in quite tense situation.

00:11:25: But on the other hand I'm asking myself what am i doing at that moment?

00:11:31: Is it worse if you do everything at same time and then they are understanding And then it gives even more light in the dark tunnel.

00:11:52: To say this way, but at that moment... It's challenging!

00:12:01: Yeah I can imagine because always the end phase of the dissertation is challenging for everybody.

00:12:09: to be honest more obligations than yes, there's

00:12:15: much more to do.

00:12:16: Yes?

00:12:16: Just yeah.

00:12:18: normally I try not work on my weekends just to have family time but since a month i started working at the weekend as well also in the evening after like work.

00:12:36: Yeah,

00:12:37: yeah.

00:12:37: Okay but after some months it will be done?

00:12:41: This is what I'm also thinking.

00:12:44: okay well i am doing at the whole time and for so long times.

00:12:50: sometimes It's feels that I've done it

00:12:53: all the time!

00:12:54: I have never done anything else.

00:12:58: So now its just coming to an end.

00:13:01: At this end there...so..I need go through That the way.

00:13:06: yeah that's no other way.

00:13:07: Yeah,

00:13:08: this is good to have in mind and also to have like this understanding at the support within my family.

00:13:16: I imagine that In this situation it is even better than they are so used to being alone with their father of course because then Perhaps it's a pity that you can't be with them in the weekend like used to, but they are used too being your partner.

00:13:36: Yeah and have good time!

00:13:38: So this is also what sometimes I think...I'm not there.

00:13:42: They will miss me so much And then i say no..they're just having a good time.

00:13:47: Everythings

00:13:47: fine!

00:13:49: Are you disappointed?

00:13:50: Sometimes!

00:13:54: This

00:13:54: is also my partners always says Keep calm.

00:13:58: We're fine.

00:13:59: you don't need to worry about what we are doing, just having a good

00:14:03: time.

00:14:04: Stay with your time use it!

00:14:07: But he has also done the PhD right?

00:14:09: Yes so that's great relief

00:14:15: because when I was in some aspects taking more care of them.

00:14:25: So now it's his time and somehow he is fine with that, its should be normal right?

00:14:31: Yeah!

00:14:32: He supported me as I'm supporting him.

00:14:35: so this what...

00:14:38: What did you like?

00:14:38: yeah.. And what would it be like?

00:14:42: You are living in Bremen and he comes from Brazil your parents also not in Bremen ,what kind of support do have ?

00:14:51: We were living in Bielefeld since two thousand twenty one.

00:14:56: And then we decided to go to Bremen because his friends are living there and forced this for the decision to go there, Because my parents I just live like one hour from Bielefield.

00:15:07: so since he has no parents nor family in Germany ,we decided to Go where His heart belongs to Germany .And we have their very good supporting system.

00:15:22: So we need our friends in Bremen and they are Supporting us, so well when like... because he's also working!

00:15:34: He is now working thirty hours And of course he can have more flexibility since his work in the same city but sometimes it's not possible for us to like picking up the children from school, so we need our supporting network and it's working.

00:16:01: And this was also our decision because we

00:16:05: know

00:16:05: that there are people who can offer support.

00:16:11: In public debates things sometimes look a bit... As if there are only the parents and perhaps the grandparents.

00:16:21: And then school has to do everything or Kita also, but that they're also friends who might have children.

00:16:29: so it works together.

00:16:33: in a way this is not very much public debate as far I perceive.

00:16:41: Yes, I think this is an aspect which is quite important and sometimes it's not seen that there are no family for all of us who can support.

00:16:52: Also i think in the like... It's not the responsibility or family to just care.

00:17:00: In my case should be society taking care Of us as members of the society.

00:17:08: And in our case, most of our friends they don't have children

00:17:12: okay?

00:17:13: Yeah Most of them date They just like.

00:17:16: they just see what caring means.

00:17:19: and I also think that it's not just our Responsibility.

00:17:24: and there

00:17:24: are.

00:17:25: they're all so asking us if we need time So they can come.

00:17:29: mm-hmm Okay is not just like because sometimes you have like this at Now I need to ask someone for support.

00:17:37: They don't want us, so i'm not asking and they know it.

00:17:43: maybe there's like how do you say this conflicts in mind?

00:17:50: And...they are just offering support.

00:17:53: Oh that is great!

00:17:54: That makes a difference.

00:17:56: Yeah

00:17:57: Because then its not like.

00:17:58: ah yeah..They're just there And when.

00:18:02: this is also good for me and my partner because since we have no family, since.

00:18:07: We need them like us of our relationship that can go out?

00:18:12: Yeah yeah right

00:18:13: thanks to it's.

00:18:15: not only the children are at school

00:18:18: or

00:18:18: other time they're home everything fine all day long

00:18:23: but still young Persons,

00:18:29: yeah

00:18:30: can like offer support and so that we can Have a good time.

00:18:38: Good free-time they are offering.

00:18:40: this is very Very nice.

00:18:42: Yeah I'm really happy to have them there And this was actually our decision to go to bring.

00:18:47: So because before were living in Bielefeld But for my partner it wasn't the feeling of belonging.

00:18:57: Then we want to bring and now everything is

00:19:02: great.

00:19:02: It's great.

00:19:03: Yes,

00:19:04: yeah

00:19:04: of course it means that I have to go.

00:19:06: no

00:19:07: Yeah okay by times

00:19:08: but its fine.

00:19:09: if Everything works out then yes, then it's than it's ok?

00:19:12: Yeah.

00:19:14: So there are many debates about what difficulties women face with bringing together care work And employment.

00:19:20: the other question Is this something That you just said that the society is also responsible for all children, let's say who are there.

00:19:32: And I'm thinking about that sometimes because when we're thinking of obligations in societies... We mostly think about institutions like schools or kites where children can stay.

00:19:51: I mean, they learn there and everything but also stay there.

00:19:54: But this is not all that should be in the responsibility of society.

00:20:00: now i don't have children... ...but always like it very much if there are children around here because we child care room here at the BGHS where parents can have a workplace, but there's also things for children to play with and so on.

00:20:19: And sometimes I hear them when i'm in my office yeah?

00:20:22: So I hear they laugh and they play...and I like that very much!

00:20:28: This should be more normal.

00:20:32: Children make life somehow challenging Happier.

00:20:39: this is what you mean.

00:20:40: You hear them laughing and then your also like laughing.

00:20:43: yeah, that's nice And it makes a difference.

00:20:46: Both were born during my studies.

00:20:49: I

00:20:49: was so mad i already mentioned That.

00:20:53: So I never stopped studying Because they thought why should I stop studying?

00:21:00: Only because I have no children.

00:21:03: now I can just they can come with me.

00:21:06: So the institution should provide in some ways, which are enabling me to come with my children and I did it by just bringing them into university.

00:21:26: They were like... In my seminars there was me And that's fine.

00:21:33: Well, I studied gender studies and that was even more fine.

00:21:38: Yeah!

00:21:38: But

00:21:38: also in the studies of my other master it's for the professors who were fine... ...I explained to them about their

00:21:48: situation.

00:21:49: And this means you have children.

00:21:53: they don't want to sit all the time at a seminar or walk around but It is just a question if are able to see the benefits in this case.

00:22:12: And if you're also and somehow flexible, to adapt to a new situation.

00:22:18: so it's an all of us.

00:22:23: but I did with two children.

00:22:33: I think i studied one semester more.

00:22:37: That's amazing!

00:22:39: But it was like, I'm also a person who likes structuring

00:22:42: my life.

00:22:43: but

00:22:45: structuring your own life is not enough.

00:22:49: you need that.

00:22:52: other contexts are somehow flexible and this flexibility should be there.

00:23:02: This normal flexibility is not thinking about, well now the Kita is closed so we have to put.

00:23:11: The children somewhere else where they are away but to have them around.

00:23:15: yeah Jeff I'm like They're part of our society.

00:23:19: So there's a part of my life and i am working here.

00:23:23: im doing my PhD There also belonging somehow.

00:23:30: So, yeah.

00:23:31: And this is nice because at Bielefeld University it was easy to go this way because the university's also in a sense quite flexible and supporting.

00:23:46: so my children went through the quita brought them to the university and it was fine.

00:23:53: It was fine for people working in a library, to have children that they enjoyed.

00:24:00: so this is it.

00:24:03: yeah I mean when their children are also used too then i guess they're much quieter or easier to handle

00:24:24: Since I'm studying, the whole time and doing it right now.

00:24:29: And when i am talking going to university they know what do you mean?

00:24:33: It's not like universities are an abstract institution somewhere there... The life of my mother, I think this is what they are thinking.

00:24:46: Yeah that day i'm used to thing.

00:24:49: yeah then the don't know it in another way and this was nice to see.

00:24:53: well always need you say this as my case.

00:24:56: so.

00:24:57: I am just talking about my personal experience.

00:25:00: but if there's a water sea in my children that day it's like an normalization also belong to those places where I'm belong too.

00:25:12: i find this really a great attitude, because how can it work otherwise?

00:25:22: You say yourself you are one hundred percent mother and have full-time job.

00:25:27: so that's why we need two parts together.

00:25:36: case, like working at the university also means to have in some how flexibility.

00:25:42: So I can work three times a week on the home office and two days here.

00:25:51: so this is not given for

00:25:54: all

00:25:54: of us but it's just nice support.

00:25:59: You wouldn't say that universities are an extremely complicated workplace?

00:26:05: When I compare it with others who are not working at the university to be very honest.

00:26:13: No, yeah!

00:26:14: It's

00:26:14: nice to work at the University and having children.

00:26:18: of course they're like challenges

00:26:20: but

00:26:22: Challenges everywhere in life And i know from friends were working indifferent Like In The Private Sector.

00:26:30: its another story To talk about So...I think it is necessary to highlight this aspect as well.

00:26:39: What are the words also, work in public sector?

00:26:47: Public sector is like institutions of government or something but they're sometimes not so flexible.

00:27:00: So I just started my position in May last year and before this, i was working as a research associate.

00:27:10: And... ...I was very flexible!

00:27:15: There were no obligations and somehow.. ..i was able to structure my time on the way that needs to be structured.

00:27:23: This is something very special for me.

00:27:30: Working field where you have so much flexibility.

00:27:35: Yeah, and I enjoyed it to be.

00:27:37: I enjoy that.

00:27:38: It was good to have was a good time for me from my family for my children

00:27:43: But you also got your work done?

00:27:45: Yes because sometimes i think is this also A question of how Good you are at organizing your own work and your time frames.

00:27:55: And so on, this is for everybody not only people with children but also everyone.

00:28:01: This what I mentioned?

00:28:02: So i am a person who likes structure... I like plants.. I like structures!

00:28:08: I'm very German.

00:28:15: But it works out.

00:28:18: Yeah,

00:28:18: for me it worked out because without a structure.

00:28:22: Without like having in mind what can I do?

00:28:27: and In this period?

00:28:29: What kind of structure my daily life?

00:28:31: how can i structure My Life?

00:28:34: Doing Like A PhD Children And Now Full Time Position Wouldn't Work?

00:28:42: yeah I think so.

00:28:44: So This Is Also.

00:28:46: It's good to like structure life, but it always needs time and capacities.

00:28:53: So my partner in me we are always using our free time on the weekend where you think one or two hours just for structuring...

00:29:04: Ah okay!

00:29:05: So you really make a plan?

00:29:07: Yeah, we are like making plans.

00:29:08: Like

00:29:09: somebody has to go to the doctor and there's this activity on that activity And so

00:29:14: sometimes it's more than some times It's not so much normally like where I used to.

00:29:20: We have like our plan for the week and its working This way that we just need talk like Really fast about what is going.

00:29:28: But for example, when we are planning a year because this is what we're also doing.

00:29:33: Okay?

00:29:34: We're planning the year because we have children in school where yeah, unfortunately way of only thirty days off holiday but school holidays much more time.

00:29:48: so you know and we need to structure structure here that were doing it at.

00:29:52: this is good Because then You Are Not In This situation that something is like happening and you don't know what's now going on.

00:30:04: Because before, we were... You have had already a plan!

00:30:10: And if the plan in this situation isn't working then you can see okay?

00:30:13: What I do.

00:30:14: but most of time all plans are so good.

00:30:17: they're normally working But it makes life easier.

00:30:24: i think

00:30:26: Yes, and especially under these conditions.

00:30:29: What I think is also that... ...I have the impression people want to do one hundred percent in every sector of life And this isn't possible at all.

00:30:42: So you have to admit it's not so easy doing everything perfectly.

00:30:48: You don't need to be perfect with anything

00:30:53: And this is nice because it's something what people are learning from children or with children.

00:31:00: They're structuring my life, they give a sense to my life of course and orientation but also very healthy pragmatism.

00:31:09: so I can write and write until the end in my PhD project.

00:31:17: But sometimes its okay just how it is.

00:31:22: You can't give more because they are like so many other parts of your life that need you time, That you're belonging to.

00:31:33: It's not just the dissertation For example.

00:31:36: this was always very nice for me during last years.

00:31:41: So I see lots of PhD students who have in a stressful situation.

00:31:47: They stress themselves I also do it somehow, but then i'm looking at my children and they don't allow me to have this tense feeling of a crisis.

00:32:16: I can't go that much in this crisis, you know?

00:32:28: It's not possible for me.

00:32:30: Because they are like children They need my time and support

00:32:38: My

00:32:38: attention...I want to be there with them And yeah..they show me That There is another world.

00:32:47: So In a way also educate You.

00:32:49: Yes!

00:32:50: This is what I mean.

00:32:53: So, i learned a lot with them about myself and life how it's working.

00:33:00: so yeah this something very nice.

00:33:04: Yeah!

00:33:07: It really sounds great.

00:33:09: And we have to speak more on these things.

00:33:13: Yes

00:33:14: Not only about the difficulties and, you know what?

00:33:19: About all of things that don't work.

00:33:21: It's sometimes it is better to talk about other thing that works out.

00:33:25: Yeah

00:33:26: this was I also learned with my partner from Brazil.

00:33:30: i would say people they are They have like more positive vibes.

00:33:38: He always says In Germany, people just see the negative aspects.

00:33:45: But there are so many positive aspects and sometimes

00:33:51: I

00:33:51: will say to you that i'm very German So... I am also in this negative aspect like development of my mind but when Honestly, on what's going and when I'm looking at what was done during the last years like PhD children now new position.

00:34:19: Also see the positive aspects of it?

00:34:22: I See What i learned for myself

00:34:25: And what you achieved.

00:34:26: what I achieve.

00:34:28: yes yeah

00:34:29: Yeah,

00:34:29: and I learned to value life in the different aspects which are part of life and Of course.

00:34:43: Yeah, they're like lots of challenging situations I talked about But at the end i'm happy that i have done The way i've walked through this where you walk too?

00:34:55: And i would do it again.

00:34:57: This is i think this also quite important to Reflect.

00:35:02: if your looking back what would you maybe Not

00:35:06: do

00:35:07: or what would you do?

00:35:08: and I'm saying this in a moment.

00:35:13: It's not just everything is like Working out of control, but i will do the same because I learned so lot.

00:35:24: And You said that you got to children when you were studying?

00:35:28: So you What was it liked to be another among all these students who didn't have this kind of responsibility.

00:35:38: I got my first order with twenty four during my master degree but before, i lived life you know?

00:35:58: I never had the feeling that something is missing.

00:36:01: after finishing school I started studying and then... ...I was living one-and-a-half year in Mexico, and in Colombia.

00:36:13: So i experienced also like time abroad And this was good because when my children, both of them but especially when the first daughter was born I never had the feeling that there's something missing.

00:36:34: You know, because sometimes when you are so young mother then... ...you think oh no!

00:36:42: i haven't gone to those and those parties

00:36:46: as if you lose something.

00:36:47: yes

00:36:49: And this was not what.. ..I felt Because due to their experience That I already have before It was a lot So it was enough.

00:37:01: It's somehow different to think about how it was, because since I never missed something.

00:37:17: And also when i wanted to go out and just ask my partner then we went out.

00:37:23: so this is

00:37:24: from the beginning that you shared

00:37:28: everything?

00:37:28: Yes!

00:37:29: We decided

00:37:31: for us

00:37:32: that he was responsible when they were like babies.

00:37:36: When I was born, we decided that he's responsible for the nights so it can sleep because during day you have a baby and this baby wants to be in your arms all of time.

00:37:50: So He is still responsible for night.

00:37:54: Everybody used to it.

00:37:57: But now... During the day they don't need so much attention.

00:38:04: They are just playing their games and so on.

00:38:07: And then when it comes to the night, but he's still responsible.

00:38:16: It never came to my responsibility.

00:38:19: also after there were like one year older Yeah But it was also nice because this allowed me like to sleep To go to university, go to the seminars.

00:38:34: To have like a life...

00:38:38: ...to do everything that you wanted more or less?

00:38:40: Yes!

00:38:41: I never want it to be like having a baby and then decide to stay away from all of other context just being a mom.

00:38:57: But i'm not just a mom And this was a decision that I took when my first daughter was born, and it's the same to him.

00:39:15: This gives me lots of chances as well because sometimes if you're talking with men who are fathers they say The relationship between the mother and child is so close.

00:39:32: Sometimes it's hard for me to have my own space with this child, but in your case from the beginning he was always really part of that game?

00:39:46: Yes!

00:39:48: He did.

00:39:49: And I think under these conditions... It could be possible for both of us what we have done during the last

00:39:58: years.

00:40:00: Like I

00:40:01: said, so i was always supporting him... ...I learned German with them and he's speaking fluent German....and he supported me!

00:40:13: And this is also something very special in our relationship.. ..and in our family as

00:40:19: well!!

00:40:20: I want to be an example for my children that they see normal that both parents, if they are together.

00:40:29: That also if there not to gather so that they're like taking care and it's not just the um obligation of Of The mother like is constructed in this

00:40:40: society.

00:40:41: Yeah

00:40:42: So

00:40:43: And

00:40:44: It's nice.

00:40:45: Mm-hmm Nice for them too have like two

00:40:47: yeah Two of us?

00:40:48: Yes To be their yes or them.

00:40:52: Yeah

00:40:52: Dear

00:40:54: Sophie, thank you so much for sharing your experiences and all the best to the future.

00:40:59: Thank you very much!

00:41:01: I'm really grateful to Sophie for sharing her experience with me.

00:41:04: No doubt having children while doing a PhD or working at university is challenging but it's obviously very rewarding as well And It seems that in my opinion this would be great to pay more attention on the rewards of young researchers.

00:41:19: Personally, I always enjoy to have children around at work every now and then.

00:41:23: And i think this should be much more normal because they are part of our lives even if not their own family!

00:41:30: If you enjoyed today's episode please share it with your colleagues & friends – as always we'd like hear about your thoughts.

00:41:47: Thank you for tuning in.

00:41:49: And until next time, optimism!

00:41:52: Have faith in yourself and make the best of chances & challenges

00:41:55: on your

00:41:56: academic journey.