Alumni on Success

Erin Ryan

Find something that interests you and keep following it. Whether you're following it through research or in non-academic professional settings, let your passion drive you. And be kind to yourself. You are enough. You are smart enough, you are skilled enough.

Daman Saini

You can be anything you want to be, as long as you are passionate about it. The world is your oyster. But is important that you stay focused and believe in yourself.

Craig Bateman

"Write early, and write often; and welcome invitations to write." The other thing I would advise is to "keep going." What I mean by that is that life might throw you curve balls occasionally, or you may be forced to deal with a personal challenge or crisis of some kind, but...

Melina Albanese

Choose something you are passionate about and get your foot in the door. If possible, volunteer or find a paid position in your area of interest as early as possible to gain experience and determine if you like the job.

Kwaku Darko-Mensah Jnr.

I advise graduate students to balance personal career goals and serve their communities and the world. I also encourage students to pay attention to the world around them. Be an active listener and be willing to adapt.

Oluwaseun Ajaja

To prepare for their future careers, graduate students need to keep an open mind, actively seek growth opportunities, engage in lifelong learning, build relationships, access mentorship, foster collaboration, and gain insights into the job market. To remain adaptable and...

Mariam Omotosho

Maximize the wealth of resources available at the UBC graduate school, explore, and take a chance on yourself!

Anaisa Visser

As an artist, I am constantly inspired by other art - we're not creating in a vacuum, everything we make is in conversation with other artists and their work. Work hard, but also find your people and your community, be supportive instead of competitive. The joy in art comes...

Samantha Pineda Sierra

I once read a quote that said: "How much LIFE is your salary costing you?" My advice will be to try as many things as you can before graduating and find your passion. After graduating, try to find a job where not only you can thrive, but where you also feel valued and...

Zak Witkower

First, it’s important to acquire discipline-specific skills, but equally important to acquire skills that make you desirable to a wide variety of possible careers. For me, this was statistics and data science. I attained a quantitative methods minor alongside my PhD. For...

Arman Hejazi

First and foremost, take care of your mental health. I was reading an article once that mentioned almost 50% of graduate students (in their study) were suffering from anxiety and/or depression. This is quite common and could impede your creativity. Next, try to go above and...

Sean Xia

There will be times that someone shuts the door right on your face. There will be many cold faces and rejects. But remember, it's not personal. They are just doing their job and mind their business. Eventually, you will earn their respect by being persistent and "aggressive...

Kingsley Eze

I advise current graduate students to take advantage of the many learning opportunities such as speaker series, events, and networking opportunities. Keep an open mind and ask questions because you will be exposed to things you might not even know existed. Finally, connect...

Anam Elahi

I think all graduate students should remain persistent and keep a strong focus towards the direction that they want to take, while taking small steps towards it. The path of hard work does eventually wind up to success. Other than that, students should make best use of...

Jenna Buhrmann

It’s important as a new professional and recent graduate to stay open to new experience. Entering into the field post graduate is difficult and you may not get the position you want right from the start but any experience can be a good experience if you put the work in. It’...

Ikennah Browne

I would advise every graduate student to be very proactive about their desired career and seek out opportunities that align with this career trajectory very early. This offers the advantage of getting some experience in the desired field very early on as well as the...

Ali Zwicker

When you graduate, know that you have a solid foundation. It is okay, and even expected, for you not to know everything. You already have the skills you honed during your program to continue asking questions, reflecting, and proposing ideas – these will continue to serve...

Jaqueline Brower

Get clear on your dreams, gifts and needs for support. Surround yourself with people who can support you. Practice self compassion, recognize your limitations and know that everyone in every job is human. You will be new and have a giant learning curve, and that is part of...

Callie Camp

Have an open mind and immerse yourself in the experiences you are presented with! If you are returning to school after a long break or are leaving one career path for another, don’t worry that the experience you gained in your “past life” won’t be relevant. I’m continually...

Emily Wale

Each of us has a unique set of strengths and a story of our own; graduate school is a great place to apply new learnings and self-reflection to purposely choose the next step and direction towards a fulfilling future career that is right fit for you. Use all the resources...

Esther Ocheni

Be as openminded, curious and teachable as you can be.

Duncan Chambers

No human being has ever done anything that they didn't choose to do. No one can force you to learn anything, take any job, or follow any order. You always have the power to choose what you learn, who you help, and how you act in the world. I think the UBC motto has...

Chihori Tsukura

Be curious, and when you find an opportunity - an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to enjoy your day - just give it a try for every opportunity! I recognize that I devoted the most of my time for studying, and (although that is what I, at that time, probably needed) I...

Brigid Goitse Conteh

Graduate studies is a journey, as a graduate student, you will learn a lot about yourself and what you want to do once you graduate.