Alumni on Success

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.

Luna 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.

Kenneth Tupper

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

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.

Tracey Stott

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

Michel AlSharidah

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

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...

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.

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.

Justin Park

Learn to write well. Even though technological advances are quickly changing the landscape of jobs, good writing (academic or otherwise) continues to be a valuable skill.

Geoffroy Noel

Diversify your skills. Take on more than just research. Open your world to new opportunities.

Anita Cote

Work hard and network.

Bernard Ng

Do internships at different places to find your true interest, even if it delays your graduation a little.

Melanie Badali

"Play to your strengths". Graduate school is a fantastic place to learn about your own strengths and growth opportunities. It can be easy to feel alone and fall into a pit of despair focusing on your weaknesses. Instead, recognize everyone has something to offer. Play to...

Glen Hearns

Develop your creativity and your interests. There is no way to predict what kind of careers will be available in 15 or 20 years, other than that they will likely be different than the ones we have now.

Mohamed Sultan Mohamed Ali

Explore all the available opportunities at UBC. You may not have the same opportunity again.