Life After GraduationSOUSA

Topics Covered Value of Gap Years Researching graduate/professional programs Networking skills Internships Value in working Assessing transferrable skills McGill Resources while you’re still here Requalifying and upgrading Adding value to your current degree

What can I do while I’m still at McGill?

Assessing Your Transferable Skills- Co-Curricular Transcript For the 2013-2014 academic year of , Student Life and

Learning units (SLL) and Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE) participated in the pilot project.

Career Planning Service, First-Year Office, Health Services

Tracks student participation in select activities with pre-established learning outcomes. Participants will be tracking student engagement in the following forms:

Service hours Position (e.g., CaPS mentor program) Workshops

Examples of Some Core Competencies and Skills Obtained Attitude, discipline,

responsibility, sound judgment

Knowledge of additional languages

Effective communication

Can adapt to new technologies

Ability to learn

Ability to deal with staff and customers

Flexibility-teamwork Taking initiative Problem

solving/analytical ability

Sound work values Project Management Attention to detail

Resources:CAPS

Overcoming “Gap Year Fear” “I will never go back to school!” “Graduate and professional schools

don’t want you to take a year off!” “What if I don’t do anything that year?” “What good is working and travelling?” “My professors will have forgotten me!”

A Gap Year Can Help You: Clarify your career interests and goals Gain a sense of maturity and self confidence Renew your passion for college coursework and learning Develop organizational, life, and professional skills Discover your interests and passions, prior to

committing to further education Broaden your perspective of other cultures, views and

global awareness Improve job prospects with employers seeking grads

with practical experience IT GIVES YOU A BREAK FROM SCHOOL!

Value of Gap Years http://

expd.washington.edu/scholarships/current-undergraduate/all-undergraduates/planning-for-gap-years.html

http://blogs.plos.org/thestudentblog/2013/11/12/tumbling-through-the-void-navigating-the-grad-school-gap-year/

http://www.thecampuscompanion.com/2012/11/08/7-reasons-why-you-should-take-a-gap-year-before-grad-school/

http://www.idealist.org/info/GradEducation/Resources/Preparing/ReasonsToWait

What is Experiential Learning?

What is Experiential Learning? “Experiential learning engages students in

critical thinking, problem solving and decision making in contexts that are personally relevant to them. This approach to learning also involves making opportunities for debriefing and consolidation of ideas and skills through feedback, reflection, and the application of the ideas and skills to new situations.” UNESCO

Value of Internships Apply knowledge learned in the classroom

to actual on-the job experience Try out a career before making a

commitment Create a network of contacts Potential for bringing professional skills to

academia Many interns are hired by the company

they have interned with

Value of Working

Allows you to compare corporate world to academia

Earn money to reduce debt, save for grad school

Develop better time management, interpersonal skills

Maturity through responsibility Perspective on popular careers Develop entrepreneurial skills

Value of Travel

Value of Travel Learning new languages Understanding the “global village” Discovering new academic institutions Familiarize yourself with adapting to new

environments – this is important since you may also be “going away” to grad school

Many grad programs require travel for presentations, conferences

Even more networking options!

Researching Grad Schools Thesis or non thesis based Length of program, financial aid available Quality of school Admissions requirements, deadlines Options for experiential learning Career options after degree Location, options for funding Special facilities (labs, affiliated institutes) Researching the researchers

Research Experience When looking for research opportunities,

remember the concept of “researcher” is a broad one. It could include professors, graduate students and post docs, researchers in government and private organizations and university affiliated hospitals and clinical research organizations.

Networking with Professors Mentorship for academic careers Understanding possible career paths Possible letters of reference Possible supervisor Contacts with other schools/professors Contact with government or private

sector organizations

Application Materials for Grad School Transcripts (official) Personal statements Curriculum Vitae (CV) Letters of Reference Standardized Tests Possible Interview

Personal Statements Major component of an application: worth spending

time on

Schools want to know why you chose this area and this program.

You want to tell them about this, along with your goals and experiences (academic/volunteer/extracurricular)

Past, present, future emphases: How your past experiences led you to your current interests/skills and how these fit with your eventual career goals

For programs that are research-based: Mention at least two matching faculty member(s) you

would like to work with Highlight your research background

Curriculum Vitae (CV’s) Academic credentials/accomplishments; relevant

experiences, accomplishments Begin with biographical info Next: Educational history

Degrees/diplomas, majors/minors (if applicable) Specific courses (grad level, laboratory classes,

language classes, business classes OK to include high school; 10 year rule

Relevant Work and Other Experiences Keep it concise and relevant

Other good headings: Honours/Awards; Special Skills, Publications/Presentations; References

Letters of Reference Who knows you best? Are they appropriate to evaluate you for a specific

program? Academic vs. Professional references Etiquette (don’t ask them on the same day) Sending a cv and a cover letter Sample of work Remember – professors are researchers who chose to

teach. They want to mentor and will often be willing to share experiences and research with students.

A professor who has never taught you but with whom you have researched is also eligible

Requalifying and Upgrading Second Undergraduate Degrees Post-baccalaureate programs Special Student or Independent Student

options Diplomas and Certificates

Additional Programs to Prepare you for work, or Further Study-McGill MATL-Diplomas in Management-Diplomas in Science-Certificates and Diplomas at other schools-Professional certification programs at CEGEPS or community colleges

FIGI GIG3: Life After GraduationA SOUSA SEMINAR SERIES

September 21 – 1:00-2:30pmOctober 5 – 1:00pm-2:30pmOctober 19 – 1:00pm-2:30pmNovember 16 – 1:00pm-2:30pmNovember 30 – 1:00pm-2:30pm

Room MS 55 (At the Service Point)Registration Through Minerva