Alumni on Success

Paul Yong

Develop as many skills as possible, especially those that are transferable to other areas of study (e.g. statistics, unique experimental methods). Also, attend conferences and meet and get to know others in the field. Be confident and innovative, and dare to dream big.

Ryan Yuen

Work on things that you love. Only then you will keep the passion and thrive for success.

Jane Gair

Take all of the opportunities that you can to develop yourself outside of your lab. Although it is very important, there are so many other skills that you can learn outside of that environment. Attend journal clubs, take on leadership positions, become a TA, expand your...

Tamara Bodnar

Graduate education teaches students how to learn and think critically. This skill then applies to a wide range of careers options. While the focus of your graduate education may seem narrow, remember that your training applies much more broadly, opening up career...

Kristina Uban

Journal about your priorities in life before you begin training, as well as where you see yourself in 15 years, 30 years? Then, revisit that journal entry every year throughout your training and revise as necessary. This helps: 1. Maintain personal integrity, and 2. improve...

Ashwani Kumar

I work closely with several graduate students, and the advice I offer them is often dependant on their individual situation. Not every graduate student in education will go on to do a PhD. In fact, the majority of students I work with are primarily undertaking graduate...

Ryan van den Berg

Make sure you're able to communicate your academic work to the broader public. This means learning the skills and dispositions necessary to tailor an idea to the right audience, but it also requires you to reflect on why your work matters. Hopefully, this will sharpen your...

Randy Wollf

Keep your options open, connect with students and professors. They may be references, co-workers and even bosses down the road.

Joshua M Ferguson

In my Ph.D. work, I realized that my research area was beginning to parallel my process of exploring my non-binary trans subjectivity. I knew that pursuing a Ph.D. would provide me with the necessary time and the tools to think out my complex trans identity and to finally...

Kevin Johns

Be flexible with what you want to do. Consider all options. Don't burn any bridges. Network.

Steven Maltby

Follow the path that inspires and motivates you and work hard. However, don't get lost in the details of your specific project. It is equally important to look around more broadly at what opportunities are available around you and what other skills you can develop.

Kenneth Tupper

In the words of Joseph Campbell: "Follow your bliss" (i.e., find and pursue something you're passionate about).

Julie Belanger

Keep an open mind because you never know where your career will bring you, don't close any doors too early. Take advantage of the students who are ahead of you by a few years - keep in touch with them to learn from their experience.

Sharon Fortney

Do not graduate without practical work experience. If you cannot get a paid position, consider finding a day a week where you can gain professional experience while volunteering. It is helpful to have professional people write your reference letters for grad school and/or...

Michel AlSharidah

Finish fast, don't waste time, and study what you enjoy.

Tracey Stott

Be open to all possibilities. Don't limit your thinking to traditional career paths, or what people say you "have" to do.

Michael Wrinch

You are not the smartest person. You will never be. Listen to others and admit how little you know. That is your strength.

Lucía Terra

Take the time to make the most of your time as graduate student: enjoy!

Kirsten Dalrymple

Take your time to learn. You may feel pressure to finish your degree, but this is the only time that you'll have this type of freedom to learn and grow.

Mehrdad Fatourechi

Do what you are passionate about and not necessarily what is currently hot in the market or your parents/friends want you to do. Learn to code and figure out what the industry really wants. Look for a company where you feel you will love the culture.

Rochelle Hines

Explore career possibilities outside of academia early on, tenure track faculty positions are becoming difficult to obtain in some fields of work and it is important to be realistic about what other amazing options are out there.

Michael Hoff

Always take the time to test out possible careers, through internships, volunteering, summer jobs.

Sherry Zhao

Be open-minded to other people's advice and always reflect on your own experiences.

Andrea Goldson Barnaby

Make the most of the opportunities that present themselves. Try to have a balance in life.