Young Researcher: Reflection on Passion and Growth in the World of Research

We often find ourselves engaged in activities in our spare time. We might engage in lively chats, hobbies, or immerse ourselves in the digital world, scrolling through social media platforms. The rest of the time, we are busy! We’re busy working, relaxing, eating, and sleeping! What else do we humans do? We wake up, start exercising, and follow our morning routine, which is relaxing! We work to earn! The most important thing is that we eat, and lastly, we shut down for a good night’s sleep! Of course, here I don’t mean that there’s nothing else to do like self-care, family time, learning sessions, self-growth but I mean that they are part of either the working time, relaxation time, or eating time! That’s what time is in a nutshell, not an expert word!

Returning to the topic at hand, I am, not only this but deeply intrigued by research activities, whether it involves reading research papers or crafting one myself! I can almost hear your surprise and curiosity, wondering about what type of papers this lady publishes! Well, to answer your unspoken question, not much at all, my dear! I know, it might sound rather dull, but come to realize that even in the smallest of actions, there lies a potential source of motivation for me. For instance, I try to read whenever I can, believing that reading can pave the way for writing! Don’t you think so?

During my university days, while working on my thesis, my supervisor encouraged me to publish it on a website where university professors share their articles. And guess what? I did just that! Here’s the link for your perusal and your feedback would be immensely valuable in aiding my growth and improvement for future endeavors; (https://sej.so/perception-of-social-work-female-students-toward-challenges-to-the-female-students-in-higher-education-in-mogadishu/). And don’t forget to cite it! Additionally, in May 2022, I delved into blogging, utilizing WordPress on my domain (https://suadarif.com/), you are in so secure your seat to look at it please.

When faced with social issues and phenomena that leave me dissatisfied with prevailing societal discussions and interpretations, my go-to remedy is seeking out research articles or any relevant material that might provide some clarity. Unfortunately, the outcomes are not always fruitful, leaving me with little to worry-work with. I distinctly recall watching a video by a Somali YouTuber who addressed a commonly posed question: ‘What should I write about?’ His response was both enlightening and slightly disheartening. He suggested that in every topic that crosses your mind, especially here in Somalia, you could potentially be among the first to tackle it. So, why not write about it?

I recently attended in a forum titled “Embarking on a Research Career: Key Steps and Insights” that significantly deepened and fueled my passion and understanding of research. This forum not only provided answers to many lingering questions but also allowed me to ask pertinent inquiries that were addressed thoroughly. The event was skillfully moderated by @Mahad Wasuge, who shared valuable insights into research practices within Somalia. He recounted his personal journey, highlighting how his dedication to research and the opportunities presented to him propelled his advancement. In his role as the current director of Somali Public Agenda SPA, he offered a glimpse into their community initiatives and the research projects they lead. His comprehensive overview of the research process, from inception to completion, left a lasting impression on all attendees.

I strongly believe that young individuals, like myself, who are eager to address societal issues through a scientific approach often aspire to contribute to academic journals or explore other areas of interest. Pursuing such paths presents challenges, as identifying suitable opportunities is not always straightforward, and new obstacles may arise even after finding them. Mahad mentioned some of these challenges here in Somalia, including security limitations, limited financial resources, restricted research capacity, and challenging access to data or literature, since you will be the first to write about that topic. Always remember this!

Success in these pursuits relies on one’s commitment, resilience, and ability to translate ideas into action. I would like to share some tips I gathered that night with you to help you realize your research dreams. Some of these tips include; reading more in your areas of interest, and of course having a common knowledge of the topics, in simple way be an open-minded person, writing consistently starting with blog posts, establishing reading and writing schedules, seeking out opportunities for training, workshops, discussions, forum talks, blog writing training, research methods training, research internships, or approaching researchers to participate in their projects. These experiences will undoubtedly enhance your capabilities. Lastly, remember to work diligently to grasp the research process from start to finish.

In conclusion; smile, remember your dreams, and motivate yourself to make them a reality. Goodbye for now!