Nhial Kuch, PhD.
Current City: Kampala, Uganda
Year arrived in Canada: 2010
School(s): Western University (BA), Queens University (MA, PhD).
Academic programs: BA – Economics, Western University. MA – Economics, PhD – Economics, Queens University.
Current occupation: IGC Country Economist – Uganda
1. What inspired you to pursue your studies in Economics of all the academic programs that were available to you?
My story with Economics was a coincidence, a product of curious exploration. I did not plan to study Economics when I came to Canada. Like everyone else, I wanted to do medicine and consequently enrolled in Biochemistry in my first year. I then took Microeconomics as an elective, and it resonated with me very much. During the summer after my first year, I decided to take a second Economics course as another elective. This time, Macroeconomics. Those two courses convinced me that Economics was for me. I switched out of Biochemistry in my second year. I went in just looking to see what Economics was all about, fell in love with the subject and here I am practicing Economics for a living.
2. What are your main success factors in your academic and professional journey? Inherent intellectual aptitude goes without saying.
The biggest factor was being quick to adapt. When someone first moves to Canada from the Kenyan public school system, it is easy to feel inadequate. You come here and realize your system did not prepare you well for what you are facing. Being organized and the willingness to adapt are critical success factors.
Having a thicker skin also helped me weather the challenges here. You get challenged here and you will have courses that are very unfamiliar, like Calculus. I had to take that as part of my science program and again when I switched to Economics. Having the ability to take hits and persevere, without imploding is important. Putting in the actual work to change your situation also goes without saying.
Furthermore, seeking help and guidance whenever I felt like I was drowning was also essential. This is a skill that is not sharpened in many of our people. People shy away from seeking help. Go to your professors whenever you are confused about something, attend tutorials, and ask questions. Talk to your academic advisors to get new perspectives, especially on what you need to do to get into your program of choice. Here, people only offer help when you ask for it. No one will come to your aid uninvited even if they can see your struggles.
3. Can you tell me a bit about your career path and what led you to your current role (if working)?
I got employed as a government Economist before completing my PhD. I had a classmate from who worked in the government before starting her PhD. I mentioned to her that I was keen to find work before graduation. She referred me to a director she knew in the public service. I reached out to that director, had an informational interview, and emailed her my resume. I didn’t think anything material would come out of it. Guess what? She got back to me two weeks later about a job opening on her team. I didn’t have to do another interview. I was a student for 10 years straight, so that was my first formal job in Canada.
Six months later, a public service pool I was in resulted in a job offer which was closer to my interests. That is where I am now.
4. What are the challenges you faced trying to get to where you are today, if any?
The first challenge was getting used to the school system in Canada, submitting assignments online and overall use of technology. The adjustment to Canadian social life wasn’t easy and being away from friends and family, especially in the initial years.
Another key challenge was not having people from my background who were in my situation, especially at Queen’s Economics Department. I felt lost at times. There were certain things I wanted to talk about with someone from the same background as myself and I did not have anyone. It was just me.
5. What does your average workday look like?
My current workday involves collaborating with senior policymakers and academic researchers to deliver top quality demand-driven research on various policy issues, with the key objective of promoting economic growth and development in Uganda. I also engage in programe management by working with various stakeholders to develop country-specific strategic objectives that will guide our future research plans.
6. What’s something about your line of work that would surprise the average street-Joe?
The nature of my current role is a bit unique. As a Country Economist in Uganda, I act as a bridge between our hub in London, UK, academic researchers spread out across the world, and senior policymakers in Uganda. This role requires me to be proactive to ensure that our projects are running efficiently and that the outputs of our research can meaningfully contribute to the design and implementation of public policy in Uganda.
The role has also helped me dispel some of the myths that people are fed with in the West regarding growth and development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yes, it is true that a lot needs to be done to alleviate poverty, inequality, corruption, etc. However, it should not be taken for granted that many countries, Uganda included, are embarking on ambitious development plans that would dramatically improve the status quo if they’ve got enough support from donors and development partners. A lot is also being done to mobilize domestic resources to fund government development plans.
7. What’s your favorite thing about your job or industry? In other words, what fuels your enthusiasm and helps you get out of bed on a winter Monday morning?
Fear of poverty!
But on a serious note, there is a huge gap between us immigrants and native Canadians who grew up in this system and have been exposed to everything their entire lives. We must work harder to close that gap. I am driven to know my job inside out, to be the best person doing what I do. I get up every morning looking forward to doing my job well and learning new skills that I hope will propel my career.
8. Do you have a mentor? If so, how have they helped you in your academic or professional career?
Yes, I do. I am still in touch with my PhD thesis supervisor at Queen’s. He has been a great mentor for the past 4-5 years since I met him in Kingston. This is an area that new students should put more effort in. As a new immigrant in Canada, there is no way you can thrive and further your studies if no one knows you and willing to write a reference letter for you. When you graduate with no work experience, it is an uphill battle getting that first job if no one is vouching for you.
Before finishing your undergrad, you should have a minimum of 3 professors that can vouch for you. This is important whether you are entering the job market directly or applying to grad schools. These should be people that know you a little beyond just attending their classes. You should engage them in discussions beyond class content. These should be professors you are close to and doing well in their classes. You want to be memorable for the right reasons. This is something I was fortunate to pick up on in my 3rd year. I was thinking of applying to grad schools and assumed my transcript would suffice - until I looked at the application requirements. I realized I needed recommendation letters from 2-3 professors. I am still in touch with all the professors who recommended me for my MA program. I had 3 academic advisors at Queen’s, and I still reach out to them whenever I have career questions.
9. Did your racial profile help or hindered your professional growth? That is, if race has been a factor in your life at all.
I think a little bit of both. At school, I didn’t think it made my life harder. I thought I stood out in my classes. With our skin tone, I thought I didn’t have try too hard to get the attention of professors.
However, it was a disadvantage in social settings. You go to these social events, and you are the only one of your kind. You feel alone a lot.
In terms of outright racism, I am not sure. Of course, people have said things but nothing serious to my face. For example, a few years ago in Kingston someone drove past me on a Friday night and shouted things at me. But every market has a mad man, so you expect one here and there. It is nothing to be alarmed about.
As a professional, you learn to prove yourself. Before someone gets to know you, they will often take you for granted. You need to be thick-skinned and emotionally strong. Learn to live with it. It is part of the game here, there is no way around it.
10. What do you know now that you wished you had known before you enrolled in first year of university?
Credit cards suck. I should have known that from the get-go. They are an essential tool, but you should read their fine print terms and conditions.
Secondly, cell phones here don’t work like they are back home. I racked up a huge bill in October of 2010 when I first got here, to a tune of 300 dollars. I had gone to Toronto for Thanksgiving holidays and didn’t know I was roaming. I was not supposed to make calls after 5pm and whatnot. I made calls back home. We mostly make a lot of calls when we first come here, especially with our WUSC cohorts. This is something every new student should know.
Looking back, I should have dealt with the pressure to send money back home well. I realized later that no one would die without that $50 or $100 that we are pressured to send, so please don’t jeopardize your wellbeing here. However, you should probably help your friends and kins in extreme cases such as illness and so forth.
11. If you can reflect on your personal journey, were your aspirations met? What would you do differently if you were to start over again in Canada?
Career-wise, I am happy with what I am doing. I can say that my aspirations have been met. If I were to do it again, I would look for work after my masters. If academia is your thing, then going straight from undergrad to PhD is great. But I changed my mind about staying in academia halfway into my PhD program because I developed keen interest in doing economic research in the context of international development, preferably in the developing world.
Personally, I feel that if you know you are going into the industry, then a PhD is not your best route because if you work for 5 years after your masters, you will be in a better spot than a brand-new PhD holder. There is a premium on PhDs in the industry, but it is not substantial, and it comes a bit later in your career. Technical industry experience trumps theoretical education.
12. From your experience transitioning to Canadian life and culture, do you have any advice for new students?
Try to step out of your comfort zone and be willing to explore new things. Canada is a diverse country with a multitude of economic and social opportunities. Sometimes our backgrounds can be an impediment to our success here. We tend to be reluctant to try new things and focus on familiar routes even if they are not our best fit.
Try new hobbies, winter sports, and hiking. Just have an open mind about everything Canada has to offer. An adventurous mindset will help you when you land in a school or town with no one from your background. Being engaged in your local environment helps with homesickness/feeling out of place.
Make a friend (or two) that you can trust from your cohort of sponsored students and stay in touch with them. We have so many cases where students just ghost everyone and disappear. No one knows what is going on with them and that can be distressing to their families back home.
Also, resist any form of unhealthy competition between you and your cohorts. Don’t compare your situation to others. Trying to outdo others instead of focusing on your personal goals will do you more harm than good here. Your universities will be different and so is the level of support provided in those schools. Some have it easier than others. Family dynamics are also different, with some working between classes to support themselves and families, while others don’t have to. Go at your own pace. Some will be faster or slower than you, but don’t let that get into your head and derail you from chasing your dreams.
