Meet Cassidy Bereskin, Social Sciences valedictorian

Name: Cassidy Bereskin
Hometown: Midtown Toronto

What is the degree and subject you pursued? 

I just completed my undergrad in the Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science program. I think I first became interested in politics back in high school when I noticed that my classmates and I were becoming energized in a new way. We were experiencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election through the prism of our social media feeds. I started to ask myself thorny questions about why my classmates and I were so polarized and how platforms like Twitter were enabling us to tap into the election debates in different ways depending on our respective politics. I pursued my undergrad in the political science program at Mac, where I definitely gained a deeper understanding of the larger political context surrounding many of the dynamics that I was experiencing in 2016.

Why did you choose to attend McMaster?

I became set on McMaster after attending the spirited May at Mac’ open house for prospective students. At the time, I was deciding between a few Ontario universities with political science programs. To narrow them down, I started to think about the feel and atmosphere of the campus and student community. When I arrived at McMaster for the “May at Mac” event, I was mesmerized by the campus’ natural beauty and the student community’s profound enthusiasm, spirit, and friendliness. 

What do you plan to do/see yourself doing after graduation?

This fall, I will be moving to Oxford in the United Kingdom to start my MSc and DPhil at the Oxford Internet Institute, a multi-disciplinary research department at the University of Oxford. I discovered this program last year while working with some political science professors to help develop McMaster’s Digital Democracy Research Hub. A new graduate seminar at Mac opened my eyes to digital threats such as online disinformation, electoral interference, and hate speech. 

I was fascinated and alarmed by the ways that social media is used as a political tool to undermine democracy. The Oxford Internet Institute has become a leader in this space and brings together people from different disciplines to tackle pressing issues regarding the social implications of digital technology. I am excited to study there and explore questions around combatting online harms.

Any advice to your first-year self?

Make the most of everything that Mac has to offer. In many ways, your undergrad will be a function of what you make of it. At the same time, some of the most transformative experiences happen randomly. Receiving an email from a local high school student and bumping into a TA in a stairwell will become a springboard for self-discovery. Enjoy, learn, and grow, and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Any advice for current or future students?

There are some lesser-known opportunities to keep on your radar. For instance, awards like the McCall MacBain International Fellowship provide students with a grant for thousands of dollars to travel to a new country to learn a new language, work, and study. Even if you don’t think you will land the job or award, completing an application in-itself can be a thought-provoking and valuable exercise.

How has McMaster shaped the person you are today?

My professors and TAs have enriched my knowledge and critical thinking skills, shaping me into a person who strives to challenge myself and be curious, nuanced, and purpose-driven in my work. During my undergrad, my Mac friends have supported and inspired me to live my life with fire and passion, whether by waking me up at 6:00 am for a hike or encouraging me to apply for a global technology fellowship or pitch articles to a national magazine. 

What events did you enjoy the most at McMaster or in Hamilton?

My favourite event at Mac was the Light Up The Night block party, especially the rides and silent headphone disco. During my undergrad, I also loved attending nightly coffee houses at Bridges Cafe, where I often went to relax, drink tea, and hang out with friends after long days of classes and essay-writing.

What is your definition of success?

My goal is to pursue a career that is impactful, challenging, and rewarding. I think it is important to be financially secure, but as a person I am not particularly motivated by money. The notion of ‘success’ for me means pursuing my goals with vigor and an earnest desire to do good to make an impact in my field.

How has McMaster helped you to create a brighter world?

The Mac community has fostered and sharpened my intellectual and personal growth and values about the type of mark and impact that I want to make in my career. It also opened fantastic doors for my team at Model City Hall. I started the non-profit with some friends in high school in 2015, with the goal of improving civic and political engagement among youth in Canada. Today, we are a federally-registered non-profit aimed at making municipal politics accessible to youth. Each year, we book out city hall and invite 100 youth from across the city to assume the role of a city councillor for a day. 

Over the years, Mac has been integral to the success of the Hamilton division of the non-profit. While many plans took a backseat during the COVID-19 pandemic, this partnership has helped our team members to foster a successful transition to virtual conferences and keep the initiative flourishing and making municipal politics more accessible to hundreds of students across the province. My experiences at Model City Hall have been extremely rewarding and have taught me many critical lessons in leadership at an early stage in my professional career.

Who is your favourite professor?

Dr. Clifton van der Linden has been a remarkable Honours Essay supervisor and mentor to me over the past year. He is a sharp, dynamic thinker with an eye for detail and a principled academic who inspires me deeply. This year, Dr. van der Linden supported my application to Oxford and has been teaching me the nuts and bolts of academic research in the field of computational social science. I am very grateful for his encouragement and advice. 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

The ability to time travel would be fascinating.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

Singapore. Dr. Netina Tan’s Southeast Asian politics class last year sparked my interest in the country’s unique geography, history, and political system.  

What have you been doing to self-care during the pandemic?

I lived in Hamilton this year and became a hiking enthusiast. Every week, my friend and I went on a three-hour-long sunrise hike along the escarpment. They were challenging and worthwhile adventures. Another friend recommended audiobooks, and I have listened to probably a hundred since last summer. Spending time in nature has helped me to take meaningful, restorative breaks from Zoom and enjoy some ‘digital detoxing.’

What’s the hardest part about working virtually for you? The easiest?

The hardest part for me has been struggling to develop structure and routine. Most of my courses were asynchronous this year, which predictably made it tricky to create a regimented schedule for myself. The easiest aspect of working virtually for me has been the lack of commute time and ability to attend Zoom lectures at the click of a ‘join’ button. 

While at Mac, did you receive donor-funded financial assistance (e.g., a scholarship, award, bursary)? Any thoughts on the importance of giving back to your alma mater to support future generations?

I was fortunate to receive in-course financial awards throughout my undergrad. I am grateful for the enlightened, generous philanthropy of McMaster University alumni, and I aspire to pay it forward and support future generations.