Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Graduate School

Alumni on Success

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Chang Liu

Don't be afraid to fail. More can be learned if you figured out why something didn't work the first time around.

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Elaine Anderson

I feel like I should say that you should study something practical, but I can't. Follow your heart and study what excites your brain. On the practical side I would suggest you try to find a job in an area related to your studies while you are going to school. Even though…

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Ryan Philippe

Follow your heart, and listen to your gut: always do what you feel is right, and never rationalize yourself down the wrong path - at the end of the day, you need to be able to look at yourself in the mirror, and like the person looking back at you. That means developing…

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Vanessa Lapointe

Keep a wide open mind! You never know who you might cross paths with and how this will become significant down the road. Seek out relationships, build bridges, and make connections. Education from books is one thing but an education from marinating in the relationships…

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Obi Griffith

Develop skills and interests that provide for a variety of career options. Only pursue academic research if you are very passionate about this all-consuming activity.

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Barry Po

Take the time to be clear about why you're in grad school and what you want to get out of the experience – the skills you learn in grad school can have a tremendous influence on the impact you have in the world around you. Enjoy every moment of it!

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Andrew Ming-Lum

Especially for graduate students at the bench, my advice would be to get outside of the lab and meet people. Attend lectures, conferences and networking events. Establishing contacts, whether it be for collaborations or future career opportunities, will always serve you…

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Freddy Pina

Finish your bachelor studies ASAP, and get involved on projects in small or mid-size companies. After a year or two, try to get an idea of what your next step will be and what master's program you want to pursue. If your path is in academia, then you should go directly…

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Janet Mah

Although it is wise to successfully complete graduate school by focusing on the default requirements and choosing feasible research projects, I would highly recommend seeking out additional opportunities and experiences (both clinical and research) that directly relate…

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Hooman Rezaei

Every little experience matters. Do not give up on any new opportunity just because it is not worth it. Try to land on a good job rather than just taking any job to make some money.

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Jennifer Geddes-McAlister

I would advise students to engage in opportunities for their personal, professional, and scientific development during graduate school to enhance their overall experience and to gain knowledge and expertise outside of the laboratory. Graduate school is much more than…

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Liam Spencer

Be open and flexible to opportunities that may be provided to you or that you may find yourself.

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Jenna Riffell

Take your time to really think about what you want to do, and put the work in to get there. Once you figure out what job you want, make a plan to get the experience or contacts you need, and give yourself time to achieve that before you graduate.

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Poh Tan

Start establishing and maintaining your networks early. I've been an industry mentor for MBA students at the Beedie School of Business for over 5 years now, and I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to establish and maintain a network of peers. Even if you have…

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Steven Huan Liang

Working with a good mentor in an interactive and proactive manner is the key.

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Katharine Popejoy

Be flexible! Don't always assume you'll follow the path you think you've chosen. When you interview for positions, ask LOTS of questions about the institution, the local area, students, other faculty, life/work balance, collaboration opportunities. I should have been…

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Olga Pena

Get out and learn more beyond just about your PhD thesis. Try to get involved in other activities that may help you discover skills you did not know you had.

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Marc Sze

Don't just do a postdoc because that is just what you do next. Take a risk, and do something that you love doing. The PhD degree itself is pretty versatile, and if you are willing to learn new things you can pivot towards a non-academically oriented career.

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Carmen Chan

Keep an open mind; do not single-mindedly aim for academia. Learn other skills, e.g. take a minor in business, take teaching lessons, or join a teaching club. While in grad school, be a teaching assistant even if you don't need the extra income. Be active in postdoctoral…

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Xin Ye

Plan ahead. Research around to find out what you really want to do for a career. Reach out to people and also provide help to others. Attend career development events and don't be shy to ask questions. Build up your soft skills and really spend time refining your CV…

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Robert Russo

Choose a career that you don't hate. It sounds simple, but many students do not think through their career choices and simply calculate their career options on the basis of perceived income. You do not have to love your jobs, but if you like them you will last much…

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Patrice Meteunou

Beside being concentrated on their studies, I would advise students to be open minded and to seize opportunities for skills related to their main study field.

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Isaac Jonas

Work smartly to get the best grades, but also use the time at UBC to network and access the huge resources across campus.

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Heather McDonald

Keep yourself wide open to options that present themselves. If you don't get the job you think you want, look elsewhere; there is likely a better option around the corner.

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