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Paul Seaborn
A fourth-year Strategy PhD student specializing in business government strategy
What’s the best part of taking a PhD at the Rotman School?
Being part of a growing strategy department and a business school that is rising in prominence. Since I’ve started the program, we’ve welcomed a number of new faculty members who have brought their own experiences and connections to the School, to the benefit of all Strategy PhD students. The strength of the program and the Rotman School as a whole gives PhD students a real boost when they go on the job market.
Biggest challenge?
Strategy is such a broad field and there are many interesting questions you could pursue. Narrowing your thesis topic to just one subject can be an interesting struggle.
Why did you choose Rotman?
The Strategy department at Rotman is particularly well balanced between economists and organizational theorists. This is rare among Strategy groups, where you often have just one or the other. For students unsure about which academic approach is right for their careers, it is nice to be able to go to a school where both areas are well represented, and have an opportunity to make the choice between the two over time.
The faculty members at Rotman come from strong research institutions, and are international in their background and connections. That global scope is a strong asset to students both during their studies and throughout their academic career.
What attracted you to study Strategy?
Before coming to Rotman, I spent seven years as a consultant, first in information technology and then in strategy consulting. I came to realize that I really did enjoy these big strategy questions in the work world. What I didn’t have a chance to do was delve deeply into any particular topic, and develop a sense of genuine expertise. As a PhD Strategy student, I can go right to the cutting edge of research.
Describe the faculty at the School.
The Strategy faculty at Rotman represents a terrific mix of economists, professors with Sociology backgrounds, and faculty who fit somewhere in between. As students, we have great exposure to the different academic paths that people can take within the strategy field. The faculty is newer and younger than many Strategy groups at other schools, so students have more of a say in how the department evolves.
Describe the calibre of your classmates.
The diversity of my classmates is what impresses me most. They range in educational background: some students come directly from strong undergraduate and Master’s programs, and others like myself have worked for a while before returning to academia. They also range in terms of personal backgrounds: they come from around the world; some have families; while others are single and fresh from their undergraduate degrees. It’s a very mixed yet very cohesive group.
How do you stay focused?
We have two children under four years of age at our house, and that alone creates a need to focus. My wife and I plan our schedule well in advance and block out time for everything, including my studies. Having two young kids also reminds me of how quickly time is passing and keeps me on track. My first son was born within a couple months of me starting the program. I can look at him at any point to remind myself how long I’ve been here and how soon I need to finish.
What are some of your favourite ways to relax in Toronto?
One thing I do is bike to and from the Rotman School every day. Not only is that relaxing, but I do some of my best thinking at that time. It’s important to step away from your papers and computer, and enjoy the natural environment. I also try to take in as many sporting and cultural events as I can, like Raptors and soccer games, and symphony performances. There is so much to do in the city, both with my family and my fellow students.
What are your favourite things to do on campus?
Whenever I need to go to different parts of campus, I’ve enjoyed the experience of walking through some of the older colleges. The architecture and the general environment are very inspiring for someone who spends a lot of time focused on research.
Robarts, the largest university library, is right across the street from Rotman. Combing through the stacks and getting my hands on the actual, tangible publications is a nice break from the more cerebral experience of doing online research.
What are some ways you interact with your fellow students outside the classroom?
Much of our interaction centres around food, whether it’s at Hart House or the International Student Centre, which each week hosts a lunch of organic, locally-grown meals. When we have the time, we extend the gathering with a visit to the pub or café.
Describe the research resources at the Rotman School.
In addition to the online resources that are available to all PhD students, the Rotman School has a strong Finance Lab and Business Information Centre. Although I’m a Strategy student, my work on bond ratings has led me to these facilities, and they’ve been a great help in providing access to data, which for a PhD student is your bread and butter.
The other resource are the guest speakers that regularly visit Rotman and some of our related departments such as Economics and Sociology. Being exposed to top researchers from other schools right here on campus is a huge gain for us.
Where do you go when you need advice on a paper?
I go to my fellow students first - they’re often working the same hours I’m working so they’re generally available. I also have several faculty members that I can call on, depending on their individual academic strengths. Because it’s a growing program, the faculty to PhD ratio is quite healthy – which is also why there are plenty of opportunities to work as a research or teaching assistant.
How did you find a place to stay when you first moved to Toronto?
I had the good fortune of already living in the city.
What words of wisdom would you pass on to incoming PhD students?
Take a very active role in planning your PhD. Rotman provides all the resources required to be successful – financial assistance, a strong core curriculum, exposure to top faculty mentors and guest speakers, and an excellent academic reputation – but at the PhD level the onus is on each student to determine their own preferred working style and develop their individual research program.
More than any other degree program that I’ve experienced – and I have an MBA as well as an undergraduate degree – the PhD Program really is a self-directed process. At the end of the day, it’s your own choice as to who you work with, what you focus on and where you publish. You need to develop these choices as you move through the program in order to make a success of your academic career.
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