Professional Development

Yao Zhang

You read Google reviews before going to a restaurant, so the same due diligence should be done before choosing a lab. Make sure to talk to current graduate students in your prospective lab to get a first-hand review of what you might be getting…

Hebah Hussaina

When I started my Master's degree, the best piece of advice I was given by a mentor was that a graduate degree is not a sprint; it's a marathon. Because of this, ensuring you prioritize your mental health and well-being is so, so important.…

Astou Thiam

• Establish effective communication with your supervisor.
• Reach out for support as needed.
• Numerous resources are available both within and beyond your department.
• Embrace the process and be mindful of balancing work…
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Shalini Iyer

The most crucial advice I can offer would be to choose an institution and/or lab with a supportive supervisor and community. Research is one of those fields where you will often face more failures (or as I like to call them “learning experiences…

Kerry Marshall

As a new graduate student, I was told to expect to have at least one existential crisis in your program. To tackle some of the big questions and feelings that you will (likely) experience, finding a supportive community is invaluable to helping…

Phillip Kirwin

My advice is to be patient and flexible at the beginning of your graduate studies. I recently attended a panel featuring UBC graduate school alumni, and one speaker pointed out that success is rarely linear — it's more often exponential. It may…

Xuyan Tang

Embrace setbacks as stepping stones. View failures as opportunities to learn, grow, and uncover your true potential on your path to success. Let each challenge propel you forward, empowering you to achieve greatness in both academics and life.

Nicholas Richardson

One of the main reasons you are here is to learn so take advantage of the opportunities you have to develop your knowledge, but also learn a new skill, learn a new perspective, or learn more about your peers.

Kennedy Borle

Remember to make time for the things in your life that you enjoy doing, like hobbies and downtime. You are more than just your academic pursuits!

Jonathan Doucette

Read papers from other fields, and try to connect them to your own research. If you are struggling with figuring out how to solve something, there is a good chance somebody else has struggled with the same problem! Similarly, dedicate lots of…

Saif Dababneh

1. The beginning is always harder, no matter how much experience you're coming in with. 2. Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask for help. Asking for help can save you a lot of time, research funds and hours of work. 3. Embrace the uncertainty…

Aria Malhotra

Enjoy all the beautiful things Vancouver has to offer!