Professional Development

Manpreet Thandi

Some advice I would give to new graduate students is:

• Take advantage of the numerous opportunities at UBC to collaborate and engage with faculty in their research and scholarship
• Stay connected with your graduate cohort;…
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Rabia Mir

Your relationship with your supervisor significantly impacts your learning process. If it's not an equitable or pleasant one, then seek alternative supervision.

Marie Johns

Say yes to opportunities and put yourself out there. You never know what one experience might lead to. My journey began with a faculty member taking a chance on me for a directed studies course, which led to a summer research job, an industry…

Lorna Tu

My advice would be to keep going forward but don’t forget to occasionally pause and look back at how much you’ve learned and how far you’ve come. The journey is just as important as the destination.

Daniel Stewart

Spend some time looking at what UBC has to offer you. There are so many free or cheap programs available to students! These can be great places to meet people. The quantity of options can be overwhelming at times, so my suggestion would be to…

Cassandra Andrew

My policy throughout my long academic career has always been to put your mental and physical health first. There will be times when this seems impossible, so even the small things count. The work will always be there, and you matter. Don't put up…

Maria Elishaev

My advice for new graduate students is to embrace the unpredictability of research and life without trying to control everything. Instead of trying to do everything perfectly, prioritize what truly matters at the moment. Do not be afraid to ask…

A. Saskia Wolsak

Take advantage of all the resources offered to students to help you navigate the system. Starting any program includes a huge learning curve -- there is a lot of new terminology, platforms, systems to conquer before you can even begin to study.…

Aaron Klymasz-Swartz

Find a project that works with your career aspirations and interests. Not all paths will lead to academia and it is perfectly okay to change course.

Kaitlin Gairdner

My advice for new graduate students would be to go for it. Take the leap and trust in yourself.

Brandon Weigand

Advocate for yourself. Graduate school is full of challenges, and there will be times when you feel uncertain or stretched thin. Even with mentors and peers who support you, there will be moments when only you can speak up about your obstacles…

Rama El-khawaldeh

My advice to new grad students is to build strong relationships with mentors for guidance and networking and seize collaboration chances for real-world exposure. Every expert was once a beginner, and starting somewhere is essential. For me,…