Grad School Career Guide

Graduate school helps aspiring professionals realize their potential. Use this guide to learn everything you need to know about the grad school experience.

How does grad school impact my career goals?

Graduate school provides professional development, networking opportunities, and chances to build up your CV. These experiences can lead to a higher pay grade in your field and more employment opportunities.

Program search strategies:

  • Organize basic program details on a master chart, like location of school or duration of program
  • Sort programs by important deadlines to keep your applications on track
  • Contact admissions to clarify requirements
Pro Tip
"If you want to pursue grad school, I would say to go ahead and jump right in! There are fewer classes and you get to study topics that you are really interested in."

Resources

Big Data, Big Dreams: Advancing Your Career In Data Science and Machine Learning with The Chang School

There’s no question that data science and machine learning is the future. Companies across the world recognize the importance of data analytics, machine learning, and predictive analytics as crucial to an organization’s success and performance. According t...
True or False? Debunking 3 Common Misconceptions About Grad School

Don't believe everything you hear about grad school! We spoke to an expert from Queen's University to clear up some common misconceptions.
A Day In The Life Of A Queen’s University Graduate Student

Four Queen's University graduate students share their thoughts on the benefits of a graduate school education, and how that education furthered their careers.

Going To Grad School? Here's How To Know If Your Supervisor Is Right For You

It's a big decision, so choose wisely!
The 6 Biggest Decisions You'll Have To Make During Your Grad School Career

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with a checklist on how to approach each one.
8 Ways Grad School Is Totally Different From Your Undergrad

From your classes to your classmates, grad school is a whole new ball game!
Going To Grad School? Take Advantage Of These Financing Options

You don't need to break the bank to get your degree!
Common Grad School Application Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

#3 is a major application DON'T.

Grad Programs At Queen’s University: Professional vs. Research – Which Is Right For Me?

At Queen’s University, students may choose to pursue either professional or a research-based Master’s programs. Find out which one is the best fit for you!
Should You Go To Grad School?

Not sure if grad school is for you? Read this article to find out!
Q&A With A PhD Student: How To Pay For Grad School

Matthew Cain has invested in his Master's and PhD education – we asked him how he deals with student debt.
The Challenges Of Being A TA (And How To Overcome Them)

Being a Teaching Assistant can be a challenging, but rewarding experience. Here's some great advice on how to excel in this role!
Applying To Grad School? Advice From An Expert At Queen’s University

Colette has some words of wisdom for a person at any stage in the application process, whether you’re just starting to consider grad school or are in the midst of applying.
The 6 Tricksters You Meet In Grad School

Do you know the signs of a grad school trickster? Every classroom has one: spot yours.

Quick Tips From A McMaster Grad In Graduate School

After graduation, the possibilities are endless. Read on to learn more about the grad school experience!
Queen's Graduate Student Lands Job At Library Of Parliament

There are some careers that come up pretty regularly in conversation. But how often do you meet someone who works in art conservation?
Graduate School Helps Kinesiology Grad Start Public Health Career

For Alison Young, pursuing a graduate degree at Queen’s meant an opportunity to turn her interests into a career.
Infographic: A Generation Of Loaners

Members of Gen Y are having trouble finding employment after graduation and their pockets are paying for it.
Make The Most Of Your Career Centre: Getting Out There

Make the most of your career through networking, career fairs and recruitment sessions while you're in school.
Unique Ryerson Digital Specialization Program Provides Career-Essential Skills

Ryerson's Digital Specialization Program is helping current students and recent graduates thrive in the emerging digital knowledge economy.
Should You Go To College After You Finish University?

Choosing the right educational path takes a lot of thought. If you’re considering post-grad education, this is for you.
Joining The World Of Academia: Insight From An Associate Professor At York University

Tips and advice from Parissa Safai, an Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Health Science in the Faculty of Health at York University.
UBC Engineering Grad Chooses To Study Abroad And Complete Her PhD In France

Raha Vafaei is completing her PhD in engineering at the Grenoble Institute of Technology in France.
Mining-Related Master's Degree, PhD And Post-Grad Programs

From post-grad certificates to PhD programs, Canadian schools from coast to coast offer various specialized mining programs.
How To Find Out If Your Major Is Right For You And What To Do About It

Fall classes may be over, but there’s still time to meet with an academic advisor and change your winter schedule to pursue a new major or specialization.
The 8 Dos And Don’ts Of Applying To Grad School

Visit the school you're applying to, connect with faculty and prospective supervisors and apply early - just 3 of the DOs in this guide to grad school.
Have You Ever Thought About Getting Involved In An Undergraduate Research Journal?

An inside look at undergraduate research journals with the Editor-In-Chief of Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph.
Grad Student Says A Semester Studying Abroad In Sweden Opened Doors

SFU poli sci grad Adam Kingsmith spent a semester during the last year of his degree at Lund University in Sweden.
A Barrel-Full Of Continuing Education Options In Agriculture

A look at different programs and courses offered to Canadian students looking to further their education in the agricultural industry.
Do You Need A Master's Degree To Start A Green Career?

Many environmental and sustainable careers require a master's degree or higher. Do you need one?
The Pros And Cons Of Getting A Master's Degree: Is Grad School Worth It?

A look at the costs and benefits of going to grad school.

How I Became A Media Intern In Toronto

My Masters= of Journalism program opened a secret side entrance into Toronto’s media intern opportunities.
The Benefits And Challenges Of Intensive Summer Programs

Summer short courses allow you to network, specialize, get experience abroad and experience another campus.
Queen's University Engineering Physics Graduate Student Making An Impact One Nanocantilever At A Time

Queen's University Engineering Physics PhD student Jennifer Campbell's research could make a huge impact in the field of medicine - and her career.
Grad School: A Different Kind Of Gap Year

New grads tend to put pressure on themselves to make the right step at the right time. Anything can be an adventure, as long as you let it be one.
Post-Graduate And Continuing Education Options In Insurance

An overview of MBA, MSc and diploma/certificate programs that will help you further your career in the insurance industry.
Cool Graduate Degrees And Certificate Programs For Technology Grads

Check out this list of some of the coolest technology post-graduate certificate and graduate degree programs in Canada!
Growing From The Post-Graduate School Rejection Letter

Every year around this time, thousands of hopeful students will receive letters of rejection from graduate and professional programs.
Need A Change After Graduation? Travel Abroad For Grad School

UBC Engineering Physics grad Oscar Plag needed a change after graduation, so he decided to attend grad school in the UK.
Geography MA Student Starts Her Career With The National Inuit Organization

Carleton University geography MA student Becky Mearns works for Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national Inuit organization.
How To Organize Your Graduate School Search

Applying to graduate programs can be time consuming and expensive, meaning that it might not be feasible to apply to every program that interests you. Yet, with so many options for graduate study, it can be difficult to narrow down your options. Here are some strategies to manage the information overload that can ensue during the hunt for the perfect graduate program!
Danielle’s Grad School Update: Second Term, End Of Term

I’m officially half way through my Masters program! w00t! So what has happened since my midterm update? A LOT. This term was among the busiest six weeks of my time as a student.
Danielle's Grad School Update: Second Term, Midterm

I’m six weeks into my second term, and although there are some similarities from last term, there's a lot going on that's new, too. More TAing, new classes, field trips, academic journals and preparing for 3 conferences is keeping me busy.
What Should You Do After Your Master's Degree?

Should you travel, get a job, apply to professional school, or go on to a PhD? It all depends on your future goals and expectations.
Doctoral Grads Important To Canadian Work Force - But Half Are Overqualified For Their Jobs

Thinking about pursuing a PhD? Check out these numbers from Statistics Canada on the employment outlook for doctoral graduates before you do.
Danielle’s Grad School Update: Month 4

I almost cried in their office. I had never been told I was a poor writer, even during the first year of my undergrad. This made me concerned that there would be no possible way I could pursue a PhD.
How To Establish A Good Relationship With Your Teaching Assistant (From A TA's Perspective)

Teaching Assistants are often responsible for a significant portion of an undergraduate student's grade. Find out what they want from their students and how you can succeed, from a current TA.
Canada's Best Global Business Schools

Bloomberg's Businessweek placed six Canadian schools in their expanded 2010 list of Top Global Business Schools – including four Canuck schools in the Top 10 and one previously-unranked newcomer now among the world’s Top 18 institutions for getting an MBA.
Danielle's Grad School Update: Month 3

Three months into grad school makes for a stressed-out grad student. But thanks to friends who are in the same boat, it's not all bad.
Why Graduate Students Should Get Involved On Campus

Many students think that grad students have little time for things other than schoolwork. Get out there, get involved, and get away from the books!
Danielle's Grad School Update: Month 2

You know that old adage, “Time flies when you’re having fun”? Well, it flies when you’re in grad school too!
On Being A Teaching Assistant (TA) In Grad School

Being a teaching assistant is not just about teaching. It's a way to fund your own studies, learn how to wield your new-found authority, and look at students from the other end of the marking microscope.
How To Get Your Work Published As A Graduate Student

Chris Anderson, an associate professor in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta who is also the editor of the Aboriginal Policy Studies journal, shares his opinions on graduate students getting their work published and how to do so.
Danielle's Midterm Grad School Update

Would I get along with my roommate? Are there extra-curricular activities for me to get involved in? Who were the people in my program? What would the differences be between graduate school and an undergrad? How difficult is it being a teaching assistant (TA)?

How To Deal With Moving Away To Grad School

Now that you’re starting your master's degree, you have to get used to a new campus in a new city, make new friends, find your classrooms, and get used to your department. It’s almost like you’re an undergrad student all over again.
How To Find Your Home, Sweet Home Away From Home At Grad School

As a graduate student you will have a demanding schedule, erratic time lines, and loads of work and readings that you’ll most likely work on at home. You need a home environment that allows this kind of focused and concentrated work.
What To Do When You Hear Back About Your Grad School Application

A few months after you apply you will get word on the status of your application. Did you get in, and where do you go from here?
When It Comes To Grad School, What's The Difference Between A Resume And A CV?

If resumés and CVs both document your work and academic experience, how are they different? CVs are extended, academically focused documents and learning how to successfully construct a professional CV can make all the difference for your grad school applications.

3 Ways To Build Your CV During Grad School

A curriculum vitae, or CV, is not a resumé. It is a record of your scholarly activities and an advertisement of your skills. How can you make it stronger? There are three distinct areas you will want to build on your CV during grad school.
Why The Graduate Secretary Should Be Your New BFF

Graduate secretaries can help students with everything from TA positions to financial issues to grant applications. Creating a good relationship with your graduate secretary will not only benefit your studies but your stress level as well.

Graduate School Options For Business Students

For most business graduates, the natural choice after graduation is working for a few years and then heading off to business school (B-school) to complete an MBA.
Fellowships, Scholarships And Paying For Grad School

Graduate school may help you get further in your career, but it can definitely put a dent in your wallet. With its hefty price tag, there are many options out there to help fund your grad school experience.

Making Long Distance Relationships Work During Grad School

With a combination of commitment and communication - and with the advice of some higher-ed couples - there are ways to make things work, no matter how far you may be.

How To Find A Super Supervisor For Graduate School

Finding a super supervisor for your masters or PhD is essential to ensuring that your studies are not only successful but also enjoyable. You are in control of your own success and pro-actively choosing the right people to work with is your responsibility.

How To Decide Whether To Stay At Home Or Go Abroad For Grad School

Moving to another country for grad school is an enormous change and commitment. There are numerous things to consider, including your program of study and the prestige of the professors at each school, the cost of living where the school is located, as well as tuition and fees.
You've Got The Write Stuff, Baby: Your Grad School Research Statement

Writing your research statement is a crucial part to the graduate school application process. While there are no hard and fast rules for successful applications, these tips should guide you through writing and tailoring your research statements for each program and school.
How To Figure Out Which Grad School Location Is Best For You

Researching grad schools is not limited to finding out what school and program is right for you. In order to make the best decision, it's important to consider the location of your program.
Getting Ready For Grad School: Grades, Exams And Application Deadlines

So you want to go to grad school? Even though the Fall 2010 term hasn’t even started, it’s already time to start thinking ahead about admissions in 2011, including your grades, standardized exams you may have to take and application deadlines.
How do I make the most of an academic conference?

Conferences offer lots of opportunities for two things: learning and connecting. If you are preparing to go to graduate school, conferences are a smart way to get engaged with the larger academic community. Here are some strategies for making the most of your time at the conference.
Should You Go To Grad School?

The educational journey for some students ends once they finish their undergrad. Others may consider completing a second degree or doing a post-graduate certificate. Others, though, decide that they haven’t had enough of the trials and tribulations of university life, and apply to graduate school. Should you?
On The Personal Factors That Can Affect Success In Grad School

Academic advisors might warn students about heavier workloads, research expectations, and the increased competitiveness of grad school, but the personal upheaval is largely unspoken of. Success in grad school is determined not only by academic achievement, but personal factors as well.
This Is What They Don't Teach You In Grad School

It seems that you can only learn about how grad school works by actually experiencing it. Many future (and even current) grad students are not sure what to expect at grad school, how things are different from undergraduate studies, or sometimes even how to access the information they need to succeed in this new environment. It doesn’t have to be this way!
Book Review: Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision To Go To Grad School

After finishing his PhD in molecular biology, Adam Ruben wrote a book titled, Surviving Your Stupid Stupid Decision to go to Grad School. If you are thinking about going to grad school, this book is an excellent, informative read. And it’s hilarious, too.
Not being accepted to grad school changed my perspective of failure

I have known since second year that I want to go to graduate school, get my master's degree and earn my PhD. But in mid-February, I got my first letter. It read (more or less): Dear Danielle, you're not good enough for us. Love, School. To say the least, I was devastated.
Was Grad School Useful?

As my graduation approached in the winter of 2005, a little bit of a trend was going around campus. Today, I like to call this ‘phenomenon’ the “It’s 4th year- now what?” epidemic. All of a sudden, friends who were studying business, politics, and art (...