Alumni on Success

Costanza Casiraghi

I think that the key word for success in science today is "networking.” I was able to secure good post-doc positions by attending national and international scientific conferences where I presented my work. Volunteering activities are also very important to make connections...

Vanessa Timmer

Find your kindred spirits even if they are not at UBC - look for your colleagues worldwide. Keep your research focused but also poke around to other topics and disciplines and ideas. Contact your favourite thought leaders and interact with them.

Samer Al-Kiswany

Graduate study can open multiple career options for you; from academia, industrial research, startups, to specialized highly trained person in the industry. Figure out early what do you like to do after your PhD and tailor your PhD to best help you in your career and to...

Kaela Jubas

Regardless of anticipated career direction, take advantage of relevant networks and look for opportunities to engage and serve with them. If it's an academic career you're after, seeing that engagement through to publication is crucial.

Jasna Jankovic

Always keep a good track record behind you. Leave as best impression as you can on everyone who you worked with or interacted with. Be honest, hard-working, responsible and ethical. Also, stay in touch with your contacts.

Elisabeth Ormandy

It's ok to not have a plan and to follow your passions and see where they take you. A grad degree (especially a PhD) simply won't be possible to complete unless you are passionate about what you're doing.

Carla Peck

Meet as many people as you can and get involved in as much as you can handle! Diverse experiences will enable you to develop a complex skill set that will be useful in any career.

Kristina Cockle

Take advantage of UBC programs and other resources (books, websites, conference workshops) to develop skills in active listening, mentorship and building consensus.

Jorge Octavio Virues Delgadillo

Always give it your best effort, even when things are not going well, collaborative work helps a lot to solve some of the problems you might have in your thesis project.

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...

Naomi Robert

Take every opportunity possible to learn about organizations/industries that might be of interest to you in your future careers. Talk to other professionals, ask about their positions, what they find challenging and rewarding in their jobs, and how they got into their field...

Lauren Hunter

What you think your life will look like will almost certainly turn out to be something different. You can't control the "what", but you carry who you are - your values, relationships, ability to learn and change your mind - with you as you go. So think of university more as...

Bruce MacKay

A mind should be both open AND agile! Look constantly outside your box, and live out your values in everything you do.

Clement Cheung

Networking, networking, networking!!

Kevin Shopsowitz

Try to understand your reasons for doing graduate studies before just jumping into it. It can be a long and challenging endeavor, and I think it is important to know your long term goals and motivations to get through it. Also, try to find a research area/question that you...

Peter Frischmann

Be curious, adventurous, and fearless! Go out and pursue internships in industry, teaching, journalism - whatever interests you. The biggest failure of my graduate program was a lack of career planning beyond being a university professor, a path that only one in five grad...

Michael Donaldson

When it comes to the job market, expect the unexpected. Few graduates, even those who truly excelled at their studies (have a tonne of papers, diverse research experience, large collaborative networks) land their dream job. My advice is to apply for everything, including...

Amy Kirkham

Don't limit yourself - there have been many times where I've been told that my chances of achieving something are not likely, or that other people don't usually do what I wanted to do. Be persistent in the pursuit of your goals and do not let others dictate your...

Arash Takshi

Being a graduate student is a unique opportunity for engaging in deep research and developing a passion for the community. Do not miss that opportunity!

Christine Marie Tipper

Learn how to enjoy the process - immerse yourself. And be honest with yourself about what you truly desire. Remember that there are many routes to success, and with dedication, you can create your own path.