Last Monday, we met up with Ma'am Tina David for her send-off lunch treat for me and Ian in Megamall. The lunch with Dr. David was so pleasant (and filling). She gave me and Ian some tips about our further studies and even about our careers.
For instance Dr. David told me to:
1. Forget about CGE. She told me that while a general equilibrium framework would be nice when doing an analysis on policy, it is more important that one learns the issues on the ground because sometimes that is missing in a number of such big models.
2. Maximize the strengths of your university.
a. GRIPS has a strong expertise on fieldwork. Maximize and learn as much as you can on the conduct of fieldwork and analysis of the issues at the ground level.
b. Learn as much as you can from Japanese professors who know how to get their works published; how to write for journals and what to do if submissions get rejected.
3. Teach! It is important to teach because teaching helps you organize your thoughts and form outlines in your head. It also updates you on the literature and frameworks that are available. So once you return from your PhD, try and get connected to a University.
Ma'am Tina is such a great mentor. Even if she is no longer connected with PIDS, she made sure that her staff there would get the best advice (and lunch) from her. I truly appreciate all the help and pieces of advice she gave. I sure hope I can follow in her footsteps.
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