Princeton graduation

Fourteen years ago (03 June 2008), I was awarded a PhD (economics) by Princeton. Seventeen years before that, I was awaiting bail at court, held in custody at a youth detention centre with blood caked on my hair. There, began my journey in and out of the justice system throughout my teens.

The circumstances of my youth suppressed the (raw) gift I had in scholastics. Beyond my experience with the courts, I bounced around five high schools and worked practically full time since the age of 15 in service jobs up until I went to Princeton. But I applied my talent when it mattered: I gained admission to the University of Toronto (undergraduate) in 1995 and then earned a scholarship to attend Princeton in 1999.

But academics was not my priority when I arrived at Princeton. I yearned for experiences that bypassed my youth due to my hardships, and I struggled mentally, socially and emotionally as an outsider (in all aspects of life). Nevertheless, I persevered and my PhD committee gave me the green light to graduate in 2008 (after nearly dropping out in 2004, leaving campus in 2005, and given a false OK in 2006).

I did not pursue academia. The PhD is not necessary for my career. However, it is fun to be addressed as “Doctor”.