Figuring Out Immigration During Graduate School With Aditi Paul

Join the Beyond the Thesis Skool community! Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD!This week on the podcast, David is bringing you an incredible conversation with Aditi Paul in which they dove deep into her unique career journey from aspiring radio jockey to celebrated professor, and her current mission helping others navigate the complex U.S. immigration system.During this colourful conversation, they discussed the value of diverse experiences, the challenging realities of U.S. visas, and the importance of lifelong preparation and proactive networking.Aditi’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, adaptability, and the immigrant spirit. Don’t miss it! Follow for more insights and inspiration. Aditi Paul is a former professor and mixed-methods researcher based in New York City.In her research, she has used her multidisciplinary background in computer science and communication studies to examine the impact of using human-centered technologies like social networking sites and online dating services.Aditi’s research has been published in top academic journals and has been featured in prominent media outlets such as The Washington Post, Women’s Health, The Telegraph UK, Huffington Post, NBCNews.Today, Aditi is offering clarity to people considering graduate school in the US on the best path to follow to get their EB-1 visa. What we covered in the interview: The Value of Diverse Experiences: Aditi Paul beautifully illustrates how her diverse career aspirations—from radio jockey to entertainment reporter—have converged to help her mentor those seeking EB-1 visas. She emphasizes that seemingly unrelated experiences contribute significantly to future opportunities and personal growth.A Proactive Immigration Strategy is Key: The process of obtaining a visa in the U.S., especially the EB-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities, can be daunting. Aditi shares insightful advice on the importance of early preparation, comparing it to studying for major exams, and stresses the value of building a network and acquiring knowledge over time. Institutional Accountability: Aditi sheds light on the challenges faced by international students, urging institutions to provide adequate support and resources, such as legal assistance, given the financial contributions these students make. She calls for increased accountability and investment in supporting international students’ academic journeys and career transitions.🔗See the resources section below for Aditi's links! This episode’s resources: Website | DrAditiPaul.comBook | The Current Collegiate Hookup Culture Thank you, Aditi Paul! If you enjoyed this conversation with Aditi, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Linkedin:Send Aditi a message on Linkedin!Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David! You might also like the following episodes: Kaitlin Mingirulli – Mastering soft skills in graduate schoolAnca Bodzer –From PhD to Project ManagementAndrew Ceperley – Building Fulfilling Academia Adjacent CareersPaulina Cossette – From Faculty to Editing