Professional Development

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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Christina Howard

Take advantage of the amazing community that you are a part of, both professionally and personally. Network with the students around you to develop your research, but also sign yourself up for sports teams or classes. Prioritize your wellbeing,…

Johnathan Wong

One piece of advice I have for new graduate students is to actively reach out to other lab members, whether you’re seeking advice or looking to get involved in their projects. Engaging in conversations and learning about their work can provide…

Gina McNeill

UBC has world class facilities and personnel, so I would encourage new students to take advantage of all the incredible opportunities a graduate degree here has to offer. I would also encourage folks to get involved in programs and initiatives…

Jade LaFontaine

Find a community, create networks and share ideas with others in your field so that you can gain better sense of understanding as well as building meaningful relationships with those around you who will surely make your time at UBC more…

Grace Melchers

For myself and many others I've talked to, grad school seems like a bit of a mystery a lot of the time, especially when you are starting out. There is no complete handbook to graduate school, and everyone experiences it differently. Make sure to…

Hiroshan Gunawardane

Find what you truly love and do it, it doesn’t have to be what someone else expects you to do.

Omar Bashth

My everyday advice to graduate students is to activate their curiosity and have no limit to their imagination. Have fun, enjoy science, be rationale with your assessment and be aware of your biases. We, as graduate students, should be humble and…

Christina Whang

While it is natural for new students to feel pressured to make quick progress in the program, I believe that taking time to network with surrounding researchers and professionals in your field is essential. Keep an open mind and you may fall in…

Natasha Damiano

The best advice I can give to graduate students is to stay connected – to others in your circles, the outdoors as much as possible, and also to yourself. It’s important to find ways to ground yourself without guilt if you have to skip it once in…

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.…

Mauricio Carvallo Aceves

Dream big. Don’t be afraid to pitch ideas you might feel are too ambitious. Chances are that you will find much more support to achieve them than you originally thought possible.