Starting a PhD is a great achievement. Starting a PhD is also a daunting task. Juggling looming deadlines, addressing feelings of isolation and managing both work/life balance are all part of the journey. Adriano Macedo spoke to PhD candidate Devin Bissky Dziadyk about how he navigates these tough, but typical parts of the journey with positivity and practical tips.
Devin Bissky Dziadyk started his PhD with the Department of Economics in 2020. He’s become known for his easy laugh, sense of humor and helpful advice. Born in Saskatchewan, Bissky Dziadyk did high school in Alberta, his undergraduate degree in Quebec, then moved to Toronto, in 2015.
“I think of Devin as a hard-working PhD student who possesses the right combination of being curious, interested in new methods, and rigorous in the execution of his ideas,” said Professor Stephan Heblich, Bissky Dziadyk’s current thesis committee supervisor. “He is also a very eloquent and confident presenter. At the same time, he takes criticism well, always strives to improve, and doesn’t shy away from asking for help when he gets stuck.”
Adriano Macedo: When did you decide to pursue a PhD in the Department of Economics?
Devin Bissky Dziadyk: I did my Master’s here first. At the time I was working, and I wanted to go back to school. I did my undergrad in both physics and economics. One of the things I love about economics is that you get to deal with things that are more tangible. I applied to a bunch of Master’s programs. Ultimately, UofT was the best choice, partly because I already lived in the city, and partly because it’s a big department that has a lot of opportunities. Once I finished my Masters, I started my PhD.
AM: What are you working on now?
DBD: My current topic looks at the economic development of Western Canada, partly because I’m from there and partly because I got incredibly lucky and had a bunch of really cool data from the early 1900s on this area.
AM: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself before starting your PhD?
DBD: If you can’t get other people excited about your research topic, it is probably a bad topic. Why? There was some time that I spent thinking about topics that I personally found interesting, but I don’t think other people really care about. That means you spend a lot of time trying to sell ideas that people just are not interested in. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad ideas, it’s just not the right time for them.
AM: How do you balance your research with your other interests?
DBD: I personally have to keep regular working hours. If I don’t, then I start to mix things up and I just don’t get enough work done. Most days I try to come in around the same time and then I try to leave roughly around the same time, although my leaving time has more variance to it.
I think it’s important to treat grad school like a job. Maybe not a nine to five job, but at least a nine to six or a nine to seven job. With that schedule, you’re putting in enough time to get a good result and leaves you with time either in the evenings or weekends to go do fun things.
AM: What do you like the most about Toronto?
DBD: One thing I really love is, and it’s going to sound very cliché, the diversity of the city. This city is growing very quickly, and I love that aspect of it. It’s just so exciting to be in a place that’s constantly changing, growing, and expanding.
The second thing is the food. For example, you’d be hard-pressed to find any place in the world outside of China with better Chinese cuisine.
Toronto is incredibly exciting just because you never know what you’re going to run into because it is a large city. This, I think, is particularly true of concerts and art shows and all these things. You can go to a show basically every day of the week without fail, and that’s just so, so exciting to be around.
AM: Do you have any hobbies?
DBD: I probably have too many hobbies! I run a lot now. I’ve run a couple of races over the last few years. Running is one of my favorite things because you can do it with other people. Going for a run gives you time to clear your head from whatever you’re working on. That’s super important.
AM: What is your idea of happiness?
DBD: I think any sort of happiness comes down to doing things that you enjoy and the process of doing them. If you are doing a PhD, you need to enjoy the process of being in a PhD program.
AM: What do you consider your main virtue?
DBD: I’m very personable. I have a relatively easy time getting along with other people, even if we don’t have much in common. Partly this is because I worked in a sales job for a couple of years and it’s a job that means you have to get along with others. It’s a really useful skill. There are benefits that come from being nice to people, knowing how to talk to them, and how to work with them. That’s definitely a virtue I have.
AM: What makes you happy?
DBD: A really good cup of tea! In my office, I have a whole drawer packed full of tea. Sometimes my colleagues come in for a cup.
AM: What is your wellbeing motto?
DBD: My motto is very silly. It’s the phrase ‘modest delusions of grandeur.’ It sounds like a contradiction, but that’s why I like it. You need to believe that it’s possible to achieve outlandish things, but you should keep those delusions of grandeur modest. Accept that failure might occur. You might not achieve outlandish things, but you should try anyway.
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