When I first came to Canada, there was a lot of excitement and curiosity. There was so much I wanted to do, so much to discover, and so many expectations to fulfill. Little did I know that I’d be graduating in the middle of a worldwide pandemic! Heck, even today as I write this piece, I am stuck in a State of Emergency with the Stay at home order extended for another two weeks in Ontario. Yeah, who knew!
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
– Charles Darwin.
As has every student, I worked hard enough to wear the cap and gown someday, hoping that things would fall into place (…..still falling). On the bright side, however, life has been rather rewarding with so much going on. I’ve had an incredible learning experience working at the Canadian Red Cross. At the same time, I’ve also gone through a lot of stress and anxiety, struggling to map a long-term career. Having no guidance – no one to talk to or ask for tips or precautions to take in my line – has put me on a rough patch. Here are some things I wish I’d known while still a student.
Your career has already started!
At this point, I feel like I’ve been hibernating for so long! I should have started applying for jobs while I was still a student. That way, I could have stayed current with the needs of employers. When you are applying at several companies and you look at the job requirements section every so often, you realize what skills are needed to perform well on the job. This makes you consciously focus on that which strengthens your future job applications. You feel me? It’s almost like reaching out to people when you need them and ending up feeling disappointed. Had I known that I’d need SPSS, SQL or R, I would have spent my free time on building up that expertise. Your grades matter but not as much as the usefulness of a candidate in the vast pool of applicants. Unfortunately, many of us have no idea that we are hibernating! That’s why we can afford to binge watch and chill. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare so you can better sell yourself when the time comes. You get what you put in!
“Supposing is good, but finding out is better.”
– Mark Twain
Reach out to people in the industry of your choice:
Recently, I’ve started writing to people on LinkedIn, and networking with them. On average, one person would response to every 10 requests I send. I regret not doing this much more in my student days. The fact that you are a student seeking guidance makes professionals more inclined to help. People love to give advice to students. That connection is lost once out of school. Look up to people you admire, even alumni if you can, and maintain those connections. LinkedIn should be an important part of your social media apps list, if it isn’t already! Hey, check out MUN’s 10,000 Coffees! I bet you’re going to love it.
“Instead of better glasses, your network gives you better eyes.”
– Ronald Burt
Professors are your current assets!
I read somewhere that schools give you something that you do not get anywhere else – a front row seat with experts. You get to ask questions, share your problems and get mature advice, and counselling, which you may not get elsewhere. Professors even ensure that you know their office hours. That’s where you can get personal attention!
“When the student is ready, the Teacher appears.”
– Lord Buddha
Being close to a professor you really respect can come with other great benefits. Maybe you love the way they teach, or their depth of knowledge, whatever really connects you. Real relationships happen naturally. I’ve seen so many people get a TA job from their professors. In fact, my supervisor is even willing to write me a recommendation letter for my job applications.
Auditing courses:
Before arriving here, I did not even know something like this existed! As part of the MA Economics program, the university offers four elective courses every winter semester, and you are supposed to choose any four electives (Ikr?! Why even call them electives to begin with!) I wanted to take Finance as an elective but could not. Unfortunately for me, the classes were full so I could not even audit that course. But I did audit a French course. I think this auditing is a great tool for students who are not sure about their interests, or just want to pursue something out of curiosity. You don’t even have to study for exams! If you enjoy the subject, seize the opportunity!
“Curiosity keeps us moving forward, exploring, experimenting, and opening new doors”.
– Walt Disney
Days are long, but the years are short!
These few years passed lightning fast. Be sure to make the most out of this time. Otherwise, you’ll just end up with a degree and a few research papers you submitted. Meet new people, appreciate the differences, socialize with people from different backgrounds and fields of study. You will rarely be with so many people once you graduate. Besides, it’s not going to be so easy to enjoy life with your friends once everyone is out working.
Times don’t change, your circumstances do!
– Dipen Modi
Note: The School of Graduate Studies offers professional development opportunities for all graduate students through Memorial’s Enhanced Development of the Graduate Experience (EDGE) program. Find out more about the resources, workshops, and programs offered by visiting the EDGE website.