Alumni on Success

Asato Ikeda

Be strategic about future professional life but also flexible.

Sazid Zaman

Always be positive and keep networking.

Adam Ford

Follow what is interesting to you and opens the most doors for your next step. You don't need to decide what you want to be when you grow up right now, but seek opportunities that will empower you with choices in the future.

Michael More

Get involved as much as you can during your graduate program, especially with activities spearheaded by other graduate students: informal research talks, Three Minute Thesis, student-led conferences, social events, the works. These are your future colleagues or mentors (or...

Andreanne Doyon

It's important to develop connections and networks within your program, the university at large, as well as outside the university within your field. People can help you if they remember who you are. Whatever you want to do after you graduate, try and get some direct...

Ricardo Rivera-Acevedo

Network, network, network with the people in your desired field or industry. They will be instrumental in helping you achieve your career goals.

Anne Bjorkman

Networking is key. Other than doing good research and publishing, of course, having a network of colleagues and (potential future) collaborators can be incredibly helpful when looking for a job. As your supervisor to introduce you to people, go to and present at conferences...

Meredith Diane Mantooth

Get out into the community and build relationships with people doing the kind of work you want to do. Education alone isn't enough to find a satisfying career; professional experience is a must.

Benjamin Good

It may sound like a broken record, but the most important thing you can do (aside from excellent work, which is a given) is to get yourself out there and meet people. Go to conferences and use social media to make yourself known (carefully).

Taylor Davis

If you want a job in academia, make sure you understand how competitive the job market is in your field. Also make sure you have a good plan for funding for your ENTIRE time in grad school. And stay on track with timing as you progress through your program. If you get...

Stephen Ney

Consider opportunities outside of the richest countries, outside of where your professors trained, and outside of where your discipline's top conferences are held, in places where your skills might be in greater demand.