Remember Teddy Duncan from Disney’s Good Luck Charlie? Buckle up because Bridgit Mendler, the actress who brought her to life, is shattering stereotypes with her academic achievements!
Bridgit Mendler, a former Disney star and now a PhD student at MIT, recently apologized for not updating her LinkedIn page to clarify that she doesn’t already have a PhD.
“I am 2 months away from a JD, and I don’t already have a PhD,” she stated. “I started working towards the PhD in 2020 and pursued it jointly with my law degree.”
Mendler’s LinkedIn page previously stated that she has degrees from the University of Southern California (USC) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is a second-year PhD student at MIT’s Center for Constructive Communications and Social Machines group.
Hey people. It came to my attention that something on my linkedin profile is causing confusion that I want to clarify: I am 2 months away from a JD and I don’t already have a PhD. The PhD is something I started working towards in 2020 and I pursued it jointly with my law degree…
— Bridgit Mendler (@bridgitmendler) MARCH 7, 2024
At 31 years old, Bridgit Mendler has already achieved remarkable milestones. She’s diversified her career by pursuing higher education studies at Harvard Law School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her journey has been anything but conventional, and this spirit sets her apart.
Bridgit embarked on her PhD journey in 2020, simultaneously with her law degree. However, life had other plans. When she moved to California last summer for family reasons, her Ph.D. aspirations had to be postponed. In a candid post on social media, she clarified that she’s two months away from a JD (Juris Doctor) but still needs to hold a PhD. Her LinkedIn profile previously indicated otherwise, and she promptly rectified it.
“The PhD is something I started working towards in 2020 and I pursued it jointly with my law degree but when I moved to California last summer and decided that for family reasons we would stay on the west coast, it had to go on pause. I apologise I really should have updated my LinkedIn page sooner. I’ll still fight for it, but how it gets completed is up to the administration and my principal investigator and what they think is appropriate.”
Bridgit’s life isn’t just about academics and career. She’s also a mother to a young son. In the shared post, Mendler took a moment to ponder her evolving perspectives as she navigated significant life transitions. One such profound change was embracing motherhood in 2022 when she welcomed her foster son into her life, an announcement she made on ‘X.’
“The other news I wanted to share is I’m a mama to a sweet four-year-old boy. Started fostering in 2021 adopted near Christmas of 2022. I’m so lucky — being a parent is the biggest gift and most defining experience there is,That’s my news for now folks.”
Balancing motherhood, a demanding job, and academic pursuits is no easy feat, but Bridgit handles it gracefully and determinedly. “Her parents’ motto, ‘do everything—it’s a blast,’ resonates with her. But she’s also learned the art of prioritization and discernment,” she shared, highlighting the challenges of juggling various roles.
Despite the challenges, Bridgit remains committed to her education. “I’ll Still Fight for It,” she said, emphasizing her dedication to her PhD. Her resilience and commitment inspire many, proving that it’s never too late to pursue your passions and positively impact the world.
In addition to her Ph.D., she earned her JD from Harvard Law School in 2024. That same year, Mendler became the CEO and co-founder of the satellite data startup Northwood Space.
“We are designing shared ground infrastructure from first principles to expand access to space. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but that’s the fun part”In her write-up on X about the startup, she characterized it as forging a “data conduit bridging terrestrial and cosmic realms.”
Her journey from being a Disney Channel star to a Ph.D. student at MIT and a law graduate from Harvard Law School is awe-inspiring. Her work now revolves around technologies that support inclusive and collaborative governance and citizen engagement.
Mendler’s story is a testament to her dedication and hard work. It inspires many, proving there is always time to pursue your passions and positively impact the world.