It seems apparent, yet universities are made up of a big number of clever, creative people dispersed across offices and departments that frequently operate in solitude. So it’s no surprise that such people come up with amazing projects and activities, but then face the issue of spreading the news to the rest of the academic community.
All of this serves as a backdrop for my less obvious point: your university may already have a lot of services that you do not realize it has – offerings that can assist you in exploring career alternatives. And they will not all come from your career office or your department’s professionalization seminars (though both are excellent beginning points).
I’ll start with awards, as McMaster University is launching a new prize for present and prospective graduate students that I’m passionate about. It’s the kind of prize I wish existed when I was a graduate student, and to be quite honest, it’s one I’ll be overseeing. (So, I can assure you that it will be sensitive to the requirements of its winners.) While it still provides some financing, it also seeks to help graduate students start their careers through mentorship and experiential learning.
This type of award may be uncommon right now, but expect to see more of it in the future, for both internal and external award programs. External rewards include financing from the Trudeau Foundation and intense programs such as Action Canada. As with any opportunity that appears exclusive and lucrative, many potential applicants persuade themselves out of applying. If you’re unsure whether an award or program is right for you, don’t assume it isn’t; instead, use any contact information you can locate to get your questions answered.
Look for offices that stimulate your interest or appear intriguing. At Mac, offices such as the MacPherson Institute provide more options than their “Get Involved” webpage suggests, including research funding, conferences, and training. The Office of Community Engagement comes to mind, with its graduate student-powered Research Shop and extensive community networks. Your institution will have unique opportunities.If you’re wondering, “What does that office actually do?” the answer is likely, “More than you think.”
Alumni offices frequently promote career development directly through networking events and mentor networks, or indirectly by providing opportunities to hear from experts in various industries and gain a sense of the types of challenges they handle. Their offerings may be offered to non-alumni.
This month’s key themes are: expect to do some digging, and don’t be concerned if you uncover something that intrigues you, regardless of whether it targets you. Ask questions, learn more, and decide if it is worthwhile to engage.
