蘑菇AV

I moved to Halifax in 2005 from Winnipeg after completing my Master's degree at the University of Manitoba. Although I had lived in Canada for two years, I was still working to overcome language barriers while adjusting to a new culture. Being away from my family added stress to my day-to-day life. The question that haunted me most was simple yet heavy: Should I quit?

The unique learning experiences in my program soon dispelled those doubts. A few months into my studies, I was recruited as a research assistant for two faculty projects: one led by Professor Shelley Phipps and the other by Professor Marina Adshade. These projects addressed research questions in different fields -- one focused on microeconomics and the other on macroeconomics -- but both involved empirical analyses. As a junior student, I was assigned relatively simple tasks. Nevertheless, these roles offered me an insider鈥檚 view of the research lifecycle, from idea formation and data analysis to the presentation of results. For the first time, the abstract theories of economics and econometrics that had once felt out of reach began to connect with real-world issues.

After passing my comprehensive exams, I began meeting weekly with Professor Lars Osberg to discuss my PhD dissertation. I also took on more advanced tasks in additional research projects with Professor Phipps. For each weekly meeting with Professor Osberg, I was required to submit a write-up outlining my progress and to develop next steps based on our discussions. I learned a tremendous amount during this process. It taught me how to formulate a research vision and execute that vision with a proper plan. Importantly, I realized that doing research is not just about finding solutions to problems; it also involves effectively communicating those solutions to a broad audience. This requires careful consideration of the impact of my research on others, seizing every opportunity to practice (like explaining my dissertation to my grandmother), and observing how established researchers share their findings, such as by attending Friday seminars.

I also consider myself fortunate to have received guidance from Professor Mevlude Akbulut-Yuksel during the final stage of my PhD studies. This was a time when quasi-experimental methods were rapidly gaining popularity in economics, and much of my knowledge in this area developed through informal conversations with her. The important insights and clarifications I gained from our discussions continue to help me when I explain these concepts to my students today. I only wish I had more time to learn from her!

Lastly, the opportunity to teach while I was still a student was a game changer for me. Observing how Professor Tess Cyrus used analogies and real-world examples to teach economics motivated me to deepen my understanding of economic theory and its influence on personal decisions, business strategy, and public policy. I vividly remember our discussions about imposter syndrome, and many of the suggestions offered by her and other experienced instructors such as Professors Peter Burton, Yulia Kotlyarova, Barry Lesser, Kuan Xu, and Mutlu Yuksel, are still part of my current teaching practices.

Time flies; I have now been a faculty member at Boise State University for over a decade. Beyond teaching and research, I now lead the administration of our department's three graduate programs. I am still growing as an educator, but the foundation laid at 蘑菇AV allows me to pay that mentorship forward. I am honored to help shape the next generation of economists using the same path of rigor and kindness my professors paved for me.