She Rejected Medicine to Study the Ocean From Space | Sejal Pramlall

Sejal Pramlall is a South African oceanographer and PhD candidate at the University of Bergen, Norway. She uses satellites to study the water quality and productivity of the world's oceans — work that sits at the intersection of marine science, climate change, and space technology.In this episode, Sejal takes us through a journey that is anything but conventional: from growing up in Johannesburg and dreaming of medicine, to a BSc triple major at UCT, a first job in the Maldives that turned out to be a masterclass in greenwashing, an Honours year that took her to Antarctica on a South African icebreaker, a Masters at the University of Victoria in Canada with fieldwork on Calvert Island with the Hakai Institute, a sailing expedition from Cape Town to Mozambique, and eventually a PhD opportunity she found on Twitter — the day after her Canadian visa was rejected.We also get into what it means to be a young South African Indian woman in a field where representation is rare, why she left South Africa (and what it would take to bring her back), the difference between happiness and satisfaction, and why your job title is not your identity.🔗 Connect with Sejal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sejal-pramlall-442313133/This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by guests do not necessarily represent those of the podcast or hosts and do not constitute professional advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for medical, financial, or career decisions.🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.💬 Enjoyed the episode?Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it really helps us grow and inspire the next generation.🔗 Connect with us:• YouTube• Instagram• Facebook• Twitter (X)• LinkedIn• WhatsApp Channel🚀 Want to collaborate, support the show, or find out more?Visit whydidibecomeadoctor.com or email us at [email protected].