What was your path from early career researcher to the permanent academic position you now hold? The panellists shared their journey from their PhDs to their current position, which included overcoming challenges like moving to different places and failed job applications. Dr. Bates said she wanted to travel the world, so had some breaks from academia, but she always ended up returning to science. Dr. Miloslavich did not have such gaps, but moved to a number of different countries for postdocs and research, while raising her three children with her husband. Dr. Levin changed to a slightly different field, from zoology to oceanography, after working as a consultant and realizing she was much happier in science. From their answers, it was clear that it can be hard to make decisions such as coming in and out of academia, moving places and changing fields, but the answers of all panellists echoed the essence of what has really driven them through their journeys: a passion for science.