Ji-A Min

A third-year Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management (OB & HRM) PhD student studying racial and gender issues

What’s the best part of taking a PhD at Rotman?

The opportunity to work with amazing faculty who have a wide range of research interests. My fellow students are also a good source of advice and academic support, and they’re some of my best friends. In addition, Toronto is my favourite city.

Biggest challenge?

It’s important to develop good time management skills, especially once coursework is finished and there is less structure to your studies. You have to keep yourself motivated and disciplined.

Why did you choose Rotman?

I chose Rotman because of the reputation of the faculty members.

What attracted you to study OB & HRM?

I worked for a few years after completing my Bachelor’s – I have a background in psychology – and saw first-hand the issues and complications that arise in the workplace. I wanted to study OB & HRM to better understand these processes.

Describe the faculty at the School.

They’re so talented and passionate about their research. I’m working with faculty members whose research I admire, and who I consider role models and mentors.

Describe the calibre of your classmates.

I’ve found them to be bright, talented, and hard working, and I look forward to continue being colleagues in the future. It’s important to create a social network amongst your fellow graduate students, people who can provide social support and act as a sounding board for your ideas. They’re the ones who best understand what you’re going through.

How do you stay focused?

You need to set explicit goals and deadlines for yourself, and to be passionate about your research since that’s what keeps you motivated. Also reward yourself when you have achieved a goal, both to recognize your hard work and to avoid burning out.

What are some of your favourite ways to relax in Toronto?

Toronto is a great city for food connoisseurs, since the restaurants run the gamut from high to low end, and represent our ethnic and cultural variety. I love how there’s constantly something new and interesting to try.

What are your favourite things to do on campus?

There's good food at some of the on-campus restaurants and cafeterias, and I enjoy taking coffee and lunch breaks with my fellow grad students. It’s also a beautiful campus to walk around.

What are some ways you interact with your fellow students outside the classroom?

Aside from taking coffee and lunch breaks, we regularly meet on campus to discuss research and bounce ideas off each other.

Describe the research resources at the Rotman School.

In OB & HRM, many of us conduct surveys or experiments. We have two participant pools to draw upon for our research: one is an extra-credit pool that the undergraduate students have as a requirement to gain course credit, and the other is a paid subject pool. Aside from this, U of T’s library system is one of the best in North America.

Where do you go when you need advice on a paper?

Fellow grad students are a great resource when you need help with a project or statistical advice. The OB & HRM program is collaborative so you are often working with others who can give you the feedback and assistance you need. Your supervisor is also going to provide a lot of help and advice.

How did you find a place to stay when you first moved to Toronto?

I found my current apartment on Craigslist, one of a number of helpful websites that students use for housing. U of T will also send e-mails to graduate students, and you can apply to stay at Graduate House, the U of T residence.

What words of wisdom would you pass on to incoming PhD students?

I really encourage people to have some general ideas of their research interests before they enter the program. They should also approach faculty members as soon as they can to get started on their research program. It’s important to be productive early on: you want to quickly be at the point where you can present at conferences, submit manuscripts, and meet other people in your field.

Be passionate about your research and believe in your abilities. Obtaining a PhD can be an isolating process so you need to be confident in what you’re doing. I’d also encourage students to apply for government scholarships, not only for the sake of getting extra money, but to learn about the grant application process early on.