Ian Hill
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
For myself, the draw of engineering has always been about solving exceptionally challenging or previously unexplored design problems. Graduate studies felt like a gateway to working on the types of engineering projects that really interest me.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
Vancouver has always been the city that I consider home, getting to both return to the place I love while studying at a world-class university was not an opportunity to pass up. I feel very fortunate that the supervisor I was interested in studying under works here.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
My supervisor! I talked to many professors at other universities in Canada but felt that my current supervisor would provide the best fit graduate experience for me based on how I work and learn.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
Truthfully, I mostly knew what I was getting into, but the beauty of the Point Grey campus never fails to make me smile. The wide diversity of disciplines at UBC is also really enjoyable to see and hear around campus compared to some universities that focus more on one or two faculties.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
Working on a problem I got to choose and direct myself. That sense of ownership is wonderful, but is ironically also the most challenging aspect! I have a high level of freedom to choose what I work on, but that also means I usually have to be the one to keep myself from slacking off.
What do you see as your biggest challenge(s) in your future career?
Balancing where I want to be with where I want to work. Semiconductor engineering is not a very accessible field for new companies, and so there aren't many jobs outside of key technology hubs around the globe, which are not necessarily the places I want to live permanently.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
Co-op experience without a doubt. Especially in engineering, it's not enough to know how to conceptually solve a problem, you also need to know how to implement the solution. Practical work experience made me far more comfortable with PCB design, structuring your code, and budgeting my time effectively, all skills that have been invaluable thus far in my graduate experience but are not taught effectively in academic curriculum.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I play classical guitar, ski, sail, and even scuba dive on occasion!
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Don't forget to care for yourself. Sleep, time off, and realistic work hours make a world of difference. Personally, I can sometimes get more done in two exceptionally focused and motivated hours of work when I'm well rested and calm than in two days when I'm burnt out and tired.