North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Supporting mum’s ambitions
Jess Steadman decided that sacrificing her own ambitions for the sake of her daughter had a self-defeating logic to it.
Becoming a clinical psychologist had been her aim since a teenager.
But in Steadman’s eyes the career path also offered an opportunity to show her 5-year-old daughter Willow to fulfil her own potential.
‘‘Since I was 17 I wanted to be a clinical psychologist so she’s motivated me to do that, because I also want her to follow whatever she wants,’’ Steadman says.
‘‘I mean parenting is a hard learning curve, but I kind of think everyone has their own challenges in their lives.’’
It’s hard to miss the challenges associated with Steadman’s enrolment in a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at Massey University’s Albany campus.
Steadman travels over nine hours every week by car between temporary accommodation in Glenfield and her home in Rotorua.
‘‘Willow’s generally OK with it, she just wants me to take photos of where I am so that she can see what I’m doing,’’ Steadman says.
But despite the hurdles, help comes from different directions.
The most recent has been a study scholarship from Graduate Women North Shore for $3000.
Since 1999 the charity for North Shore female university students has raised $325,000.
‘‘I was ecstatic, it’s such a big help, I really like the Graduate Federation of Women because it’s women helping other women in education.’’
Steadman’s long hours on the road have also been put to good use thanks to the resourcefulness of a fellow psychology PhD student.
‘‘I do study in my car, it’s so sad,’’ Steadman laughs.
‘‘One of my friends Joanna recorded herself reading the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders.
‘‘It’s huge, so sometimes I listen to it in my car.’’
Six months into her PhD, Steadman’s thesis is looking at a potential trend of perfectionism among gay males.
Inspired by someone close to her, the thesis topic falls in line with a common theme throughout her study life.
‘‘I have a particular thing about social justice in that I want my research to focus on marginalised groups in society that don’t have equal status.’’