grad school planning guide (fall 2012)

Sorting through your optionSSELLing yourSELF AnD your iDEASCybEr CAmpuSES

gEtting SChooLED on grAD SChooL, AmEriCAn StyLEFoCuS hArDEr. mEmorizE bEttEr. rEAD FAStEr. googLE StrongEr.

planning guide

49THE BEST OF

EDU-MA-CATION

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Grad Studies_trim 8.125"x10.75" 6/15/12 3:33 PM Page 1

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Your successis our Business.Centennial College’s School of Business fosters an entrepreneurial spirit within its students from the start. We offer a wide variety of programs that will get you career ready – some in as little as eight months.

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JobPOSTINGS.CA | 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

08

Learn the tools you’ll need to conquer grad school.

Surviving grADuAtE SChooL

54

3835

it’S buSy. ChALLEnging. it’S

worth it.

3012 gEtting SChooLED on grAD SChooL, AmEriCAn StyLEMore and more students are studying in the United States. See why going down South can help your career.

15 gEtting into grAD SChooLYou’re going to be applying to a lot of grad schools at once. Here’s some advice about how to streamline the process and complete great applications.

16 EEny, mEEny, miny, moE, to whiCh grAD SChooL ShouLD you go?Lucky you: you’re popular! But, like Bella Swan, you can be with only one suitor. We shed some light on what to consider when you’re making your choice.

18 SoCiAL nEtworkingHow to make networking work for you.

21 hArDEr, bEttEr, FAStEr, StrongErFocus harder. Memorize better. Read faster. Google stronger.

35 Sorting through your optionSLocation, degree, and learning style should all play a part in how you choose your grad school and program.

37 iS grAD SChooL right For you?Evaluate why you want to go before you apply. What a graduate education gives you can be different from what you want.

38 gEt your DEgrEES FAStErWant to study, travel, or start a family ASAP? Learn how to compound your studies to get more qualifica-tions in less time.

45 thE DEAL bEhinD mbA An MBA can take you places — including that swanky corner office. Find out about the different types of MBAs and what they can do for you.

43 SELLing yourSELF AnD your iDEAS Dust off your public speaking skills using our advice.

46 unCLE SAm wAntS youWe explain work permits, study permits, and what you need to make your stay in the U.S. possible.

49 thE bESt oF EDu-mA-CAtionWe compiled the best of our Edu-ma-cation section from our monthly jobpostings magazine. From post-grads in sustainability to cyber campuses and internships abroad, we focus in on a few things you may have not thought of.

54 pLEASE pASS thE pASSionChristine Fader gives her unique take on passion at work, and how you can incorporate it even if it doesn’t line up with your occupation.

56 monEy mAnAgmEnt Mo money, mo’ problems. Many graduate students live on the financial edge. Here’s how to pull yourself back to the brink.

15

24



* 1- AND 2-YEAR POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS INCLUDING FASHION MANAGEMENT & PROMOTIONS


published by passion inc. 25 imperial Street, Suite 100 toronto, on m5p 1b9

jobpostings.ca 1-877-900-5627 ext. 221

jobpostings publishes the Grad School Planning Guide annually. 50,000 copies are distributed to over 145 universities and colleges. Contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reprinted in whole or part without permission of the publishers.

28 Ross University, School of Medicine32 Humber, The Business School40 American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine58 St. George’s University

49THE BEST OF

EDU-MA-CATION

SORTING THROUGH YOUR OPTIONSSELLING YOURSELF AND YOUR IDEASCYBER CAMPUSES

GETTING SCHOOLED ON GRAD SCHOOL, AMERICAN STYLEFOCUS HARDER. MEMORIZE BETTER. READ FASTER. GOOGLE STRONGER.

planning guide

IFC Centennial College02 Queens University03 Humber, The Business School, Global Business04 Sheridan College04 University of Ontario Institute of Technology05 Humber, The Business School, Event Management06 Centennial College School of Business06 HULT International Business07 Humber, The Business School, Alternative Dispute Resolutiom09 Humber, The Business School, Fashion Management11 Ross University, School of Medicine14 Brock University17 CGA19 Concordia University, John Molson School of Business20 American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine27 Vancouver Island University34 Niagara College36 Cambrian College39 University of Waterloo, Stratford Campus42 Seneca College, School of Accounting and Financial Services42 Harris Institute44 Confederation College47 National University of Health Sciences47 University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine48 Durham College48 Concordia University, College of Alberta55 Centre for Digital Media55 St. Lawrence College57 University of Lethbridge57 Humber School of Social and Community Services60 Cornell University60 University of Lethbridge60 Seattle University, School of LawIBC Humber College, School of Media Studies

OBC Rogers Wireless

TABLE OF CONTENTS

10

pubLiShEr nAthAn LAuriE [email protected]

ASSoCiAtE pubLiShEr mArk LAuriE [email protected]

EDitor DAviD tAL

[email protected] | @DavidTalWrites

grAphiC DESignEr Anthony CApAno [email protected]

wEb EDitor mArk tEo [email protected]

ContributorS Maya Hamovitch, Panagiota Panagakos, Amanda Chajes, Darlene Morales, Ingrid Phaneuf, Andrew Williams, Christine Fader, Christopher Lawson, Eleni Papavasiliou, Kevin Nelson, Mary Michaela Weber, Alyssa Ouellette, Austin Bahadur, Mark Kay, Brandon Miller, Allison Mitchell

nAtionAL ACCount mAnAgErS SArAh-Lyn AmArAL, mAry vAnDErpAS ShAnnon trACEy

intErnS Amir Ahmad, Chantelle Rodrigo

on thE CovEr IMAGES: © ISTOCK.COM

FoCuS hArDEr. mEmorizE bEttEr.rEAD FAStEr. googLE StrongEr.

21

Our species seems to be outgrowing the planet it lives on. The villainous Agent

live in equilibrium with the environment. We are a cancer, he says. Sustainabil-

between planet Earth and human civilization.

tnorfnoc ot ygoloicos dna ,scimonoce ,msilatnemnorivne sdnelb issues concerning conservation, industry, and prosperity. As land and resources

run out, there’s increasing pressure for corporations, governments, and peoples

and some schools have taken that extra step to offer complete studies focusing

sustainability studies. Their curriculum looks at innovation in technology and

policy, and also places emphasis on economic and social implications that may

affect businesses and other institutions. London’s University of Western Ontario

(UWO) also has a master’s in environment and sustainability. Courses within this

program involve engineering, consulting projects, and examining the relation-

ship between the health of a population (including humans) and its ecosystem.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has a number of graduate programs

that deal with the different aspects of sustainability from forestry to mining.

From a technological and energy perspective, their master’s of engineering and

clean energy program aims to reduce environmental impacts. At the same time,

the university provides an MBA for sustainability and business. Taking in about

24 students each year, this program examines responsibilities that business lead-

ers have towards both the economy and the environment.

Dr. Eric Mazzi, an instructor at UBC’s Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC),

describes the clean energy program like this: “We focus on the energy aspects

of sustainability. Sustainability is important because our use of energy and oth-

er resources extracted from our planet is at a rate that’s not considered to be

important because even if we don’t exhaust our resources, the impact of such

prolonged use on the environment can still have unpleasant results, such as the

atmosphere losing its capacity to assimilate chemicals.

Mazzi stresses that sustainability students should have respect for all disciplines

mocne ytilibaniatsus ,enilpicsid eno ni

-

passes many areas. It’s important to appreciate and be willing to work with those -

healthy respect for politics and public policy is essential.”

In terms of careers, there are many areas available. For engineering, Mazzi ex-

plains how students aren’t only looking into energy management for schools and

government institutions, but also consulting positions with industrial operations,

and various enterprises in alternative energy. Co-op programs may have stu--

By nature, sustainability is interdisciplinary. Along with core courses, students

may be encouraged to take electives in architecture, policy, and economics.

“Some students take commerce courses for electives,” says Mazzi, describing

the UBC program. “It’s not just the technical aspects of engineering, it’s the

These programs aim to provide students with enough in-depth knowledge and -

vironmental issues themselves, even the complex ones that have different view-

points. “People have different attitudes and different priorities,” says Mazzi, “so

we strive to help students appreciate the full spectrum of the challenge before us

Nevertheless, all the sustainability programs in the world wouldn’t be enough to

thing,” says Mazzi. “Keep the options open and keep promoting newer technol-

ogy. But at the same time, it’s important to make better use of the resources we














After graduation, during winter break, or in the summers between terms, Canadian students scatter

across the Earth. But these aren’t students seeking the latest vacation opportunities; they are career-

bring them, the unique experiences available nowhere else, the new skills, the unexpected lessons, and

the stand-out entries on their résumé.

Naomi (name altered on request) is one of those job seekers. A former medical student at McMaster

University, she traveled to rural northern India with a group of physicians. As part of the work done by

the Himalayan Health Exchange, she traveled between villages and refugee camps, providing medical

care to people in remote regions. During that time, she slept in a sleeping bag on the bare earth, drank

water that had to be boiled, and “Really missed having a bathroom.” But she wouldn’t have had it any

other way. “I enjoy the idea of providing volunteer medical care for people at risk, anywhere.” For her,

the work illuminated the path before her as a doctor.

“There was a 17-year-old boy suffering the effects of meningitis and tuberculosis,” says Naomi. “He

required more care than our medical team could provide. He was sent to the closest medical center

seven hours away. The other doctors later said that cases such as his had deterred them from pediatrics.

I realized then that cases such as his, doing whatever I can for people like him, are the very reason I’m

compelled to do pediatrics.”There are reasons besides spiritual and professional revelation to seek work experiences like these. Tasl

eem Hudani, the Get Experience coordinator at the University of Toronto career centre notes some very

looking to work abroad later.Hudani explains the other big draw of these internships is (contrary to expectations) their ease on a stu

dent’s schedule compared to opportunities at home. “Because they’re often short term, you can take part

in one over the summer, or use it as a co-op during the year.” Hudani praises how often out-of-country

internships work with a student’s schedule. “They’re often targeted to students over working profession

als, and made more accessible.” on the trip. Naomi found her internship through the McMaster student elective database. “I was told

about it during some voluntary career sessions I attended,” says Naomi. “They were advertised over the

student forums, where the electives were discussed.” She spent a fair bit of time searching the database

for options that interested her, and backed that up by getting commentary from fellow students through

her school forums.“It was a lot of paperwork,” says Naomi. To join the Himalayan Health Exchange, she moved between

were the biggest barrier,” says Naomi, who paid the three thousand dollars in total expenses out of her

bursary money.

mer educational experiences while a student is still enrolled, and many universities have travel funds

that provide support. Hudani stresses that kind of contact with a student’s college or university as a key

element of preparation. Career center counsellors and coordinators are there to help.

It’s worth taking that care for students like Naomi. “It was a fantastic way to connect with the world

around me, to put myself outside my comfort zone, and grow as a person.”



dna segalliv neewteb delevart ehs ,egnahcxE htlaeH nayalamiH ehtcare to people in remote regions. During that time, she slept in a sleeping bag on the bare earth, drank








compelled to do pediatrics.”A global résumé and the big draw

There are reasons besides spiritual and professional revelation to seek work experiences like these. Tasl










“It was a lot of paperwork,” says Naomi. To join the Himalayan Health Exchange, she moved between


bursary money.


years of specialization. As they study, students hold on to the hope that there will be an

appropriately specialized job waiting for them. Yes, this specialized training can make you

invaluable, but can also mean that during an economic crunch you might be left with

an unparalleled skill-set ... that nobody needs. Additionally, services such as Google and

YouTube surround us daily with samples of knowledge that simply cannot be covered by

a single area of study, and many industries are now demanding that new hires have an

educational mix. Being able to receive this kind of global education and graduate within a

decade is where interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs come in.

Such diverse interests and demands might seem like a modern consequence of our da-

ta-saturated lifestyles, but interdisciplinary programs have existed for decades, from the

University of British Columbia’s 40-year-old Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program

(IGSP) to the interdisciplinary PhD started at Dalhousie in 1984. The roots of several facul-

ties we take for granted, like women and gender studies or international development, lie in

form the basis of innovative research in emerging areas like biotechnology and education.

As the oldest program in Canada for post-graduate interdisciplinary learning, the IGSP

at UBC serves as an excellent model of the opportunities to be found for interdisciplinary

academics. “Students in our program take courses at 35 different departments across uni-

versity,” explains Hillel Goelman, chair of UBC’s interdisciplinary program. “[But] there

are a couple of cluster areas of interest — the medical and health sciences, students who

cross between the sciences and social sciences [such as] environmental issues or aboriginal

issues, or the area of medical inquiry, [covering topics like] neuroethics or neurology and

addiction.” These represent just a small selection of hybrid research degrees offered by uni-

versities across Canada, and enrolment in interdisciplinary programs have increased every

year as more institutions and students recognize the value of this kind of comprehensive

approach to higher education. Perhaps the best way to summarize this trend in thinking is through the University of

Toronto’s stated mission for its new master’s of global affairs, one of several post-grad

“collaborative program” degrees they offer: “Today, to become global leaders, students

need not only the core functional disciplines that professional schools offer, but also a deep

understanding of the broader architecture of global society and the forces that shape it.”

In other words, looking beyond the scope of a single program or even a single faculty is the

key to success in an increasingly global economy.

Heather Kelly, director of Student Services at U of T’s School of Graduate Studies, de-

scribes the increasingly mainstream nature of “interdisciplinarity,” and how it has become

incorporated into even the most traditionally structured of programs since. She says,

“Without disciplinarity there’s no interdisciplinarity.” The ability to tailor a post-graduate

degree to individual needs and interests is garnering attention from innovative educators

as well as students. Earlier this year, the Canadian government launched the Collaborative

Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program. Designed to stimulate “collab-

orative and integrative approaches,” as well as interdisciplinary research at the various

intersections between the social and applied sciences, the $32 million investment is a sign

of just how critical (and valuable) this approach to education can be.

Although the majority of students in these programs are doctoral candidates, most are re-

turning to their studies from backgrounds as diverse as the courses they choose. “We attract

a fair number of international students,” says Goelman, mentioning that some of UBC’s

students have worked for organizations such as the World Bank and UNICEF. “They come

back to school because their professional experience has led them to certain research ques-

tions.” Whether they’re freshly-minted undergraduates or workers who’ve had years in the

vision that seems to be in line with the emerging shape of the global economy by providing

grads with knowledge that’s, well, globally applicable.
































back to school because their professional experience has led them to certain research ques


EDumA CAtion

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GETTING SCHOOLED ON GRAD SCHOOL

12

Your dream job is looking further away than you thought, so why not take advantage of it? Grad schools are waiting for you to step through their doors, and if you do, you’ll become more prepared to meet today’s ever-increasing bar. The question of where to study may be as im-portant as what to study, and an American grad school may be a very sound choice.

Increasingly, students from around the world are attending American schools. More than 723,000 international students from more than 200 countries around the world pursue higher edu-cation in the U.S. each year. Of these interna-tional students, five percent come from Canada. While the many American universities can make the choice seem overwhelming, there are many reasons to consider attending these schools.

QuALity oF EDuCAtionAmerican universities are some of the best in the world. Of the top 25 universities listed in The Times World University Rankings for 2011-12, 18 are American. In addition to the usual Ivy League names, dozens of U.S. schools appear on the list of the world’s top 400 schools and are widely known for their high quality education.

An American school may offer you an oppor-tunity to work with some of the finest minds in the world. Research funding is more avail-able to American faculties than it is to Cana-dians, so you may be exposed to cutting edge research. At many U.S. schools, you’ll find the latest technology and specialized equipment. Alexander Castilla, the director of Ivy Educa-tional Systems, says, “The American brand of higher education is linked with technological innovation, openness to people and ideas, and a

commitment to academic excellence. These are perhaps the primary reasons why people from all over the world decide to study in the U.S.”

vAriEty oF grAD progrAmS The multitude of programs in the U.S. is daunting but also encouraging; the sheer num-bers make you more likely to find one tailored to your needs. Almost every field of study is available. “There are over 4,000 universities and colleges in the U.S., and this means there’s a wide range of options for students. This makes the American university system incred-ibly appealing for both local and international students,” says Castilla.

While Canadian universities have a limited number of programs in particular fields, the U.S. will undoubtedly have many more. Take veterinary school for example; there are five programs in Canada and 28 in the U.S. And if you want to do a master’s in real estate, you won’t find it in Canada. Instead, you’ll need to look south of the border at NYU, Cornell or one of about two dozen other schools. And across programs, there are different orienta-tions and specializations, as well as opportuni-ties for internships, study abroad, and local re-search. You may find the perfect match for your learning style and career aspirations.

CArEEr bEnEFitSOf course, you want your graduate education to optimize your career opportunities. Many U.S. programs have established affiliations with employers, enabling you to develop contacts in the field. Professors may belong to inter-national research teams, and as their student, you may also be able to connect with experts in your field of study. Castilla agrees: “There

are several career benefits … such as partici-pating within social and professional networks that students use for the rest of their lives … this exchange of ideas, knowledge, practices, and other forms of social capital will continue to be intrinsic to understanding and facilitating human development.”

These relationships may help in shaping your future career even upon your return home. Eri-ca Borchiver, a graduate of Western University studying dentistry at Nova Southeastern Uni-versity, experienced this first hand. She says, “There are a few professors here with whom I’ve developed a student-mentor relationship, and I’m hopeful that their guidance will aid me in establishing a career when I move back to Toronto.”

Studying in the U.S. can provide you with a new and different perspective that may be val-ued in the Canadian market. Jane Rendely, a Canadian career and educational counselor, says, “When a person comes back to Cana-da and they have been trained in the United States, there’s a cachét that comes with that … there is an edge.” But at the same time she cau-tions that “It depends on the school … not all American universities share such cutting edge training and hold such a high reputation.”

Many Canadian students are hoping for a leg up from an American school. Emily Kate is graduating from McGill University and plan-ning to pursue a joint degree in social work and public health at NYU. This degree com-bination was not available to her in Canada, and she hopes that it, along with the American school it comes from, will open doors for her. “I believe that many schools in the U.S. may be more recognized by employers than Canadian

gEtting SChooLED on grAD SChooL

why An AmEriCAn grADuAtE SChooL EDuCAtion might bE thE right DECiSion For you By: Maya Hamovitch

2012 | JobPOSTINGS.CA

GETTING SCHOOLED ON GRAD SCHOOL

13

AFtEr EnroLLing: obtAin your viSAYou’ll need an F-1 Visa. You must be enrolled full-time (at least 18 hours of study per week) at an approved U.S. school (also known as an SEVP-certified school). You can check out SEVP-certified schools here: http://studyinthes-tates.dhs.gov/school-search/.

You’ll need to demonstrate that you have the funds to support yourself during the program and that you intend to return home upon com-pletion.

Once accepted, get a Form I-20 from your school and check its accuracy.

Next, pay your SEVIS I-1901 fee. You can learn how to do this here: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/fact-sheet/090104_fs.htm

With your I-901 payment receipt, you can apply for a visa at any American embassy or consulate before you leave for the U.S. You can find in-formation on this here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html.

An interview at the embassy consular section is required, and waiting times can vary: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html.

schools,” she says. “In addition, I hope it’ll sep-arate me from the others applying with similar qualifications.”

A SAtiSFying SoCiAL EXpEriEnCE Between the lectures, log books, and late night lattes, social experiences are also important. Attending an American school may be your chance to round out your academic experi-ence with new social and cultural ones. During her time in the U.S., Borchiver felt a renewed energy: “Americans are very spirited. There’s a certain energy I didn’t see as much when I was attending school in Canada. ... People are expected to join a team and support it … what-ever the activity may be. Students are encour-aged to be active, whether it’s in the classroom or outside.”

Choosing an American grad school can be an opportunity to gain valuable life experience. Jennifer Brownstein, a student at McGill Uni-versity who will be pursuing a doctorate of psy-chology in the U.S., says she’s “Excited to gain experience out of her comfort zone and to take on a new lifestyle.”

Borchiver feels the same way. “Living in Florida has exposed me to a number of new experienc-es that have forced me to make my own deci-sions and carve my own path,” she says. “I’m dependent on myself to resolve the day to day issues I face and grow as a person.”

but how wiLL i pAy For it? Many American graduate programs have their own internal scholarships, some of which you may qualify for. You can also look for funding sources on scholarship sites such as Interna-tional Financial Aid and College Scholarship

“YOu MAY FIND THE PERFECT MATCH FOR YOuR

LEARNING STYLE AND CAREER ASPIRATIONS”

Search (www.iefa.org), EducationUSA (educa-tionusa.state.gov/), and ScholarshipExperts.com. These sites house databases containing scholarships and grants for several levels and fields of study.

Going to grad school in the U.S. takes plan-ning and persistence to make your way through what seems like an overwhelming process. But the possibilities for a life enriching experience and a fulfilling future may just lie south of the border.

DECiDing whErE to AppLy:

LoCAtion Identify your needs and wishes, and spend some time touring the campus and local

community.

rEputAtion Ensure the program you’re considering is accredited. Ask graduates about their

experiences. Look at websites to see where graduates have become employed.

CoSt Consider tuition and living expenses. Find out about scholarships and graduate as-

sistantships that are available.

AppLiCAtion rEQuirEmEntS Do you meet the admission requirements? Research and write Statements of Purpose

or other application documents. Prepare for and write any required tests.

progrAm AnD DEgrEE Look into the teaching philosophy, opportunities to work with established experts, internships, and

global fieldwork. Are joint degrees offered?

Geoff Hartley PhD candidate, Applied Health Sciences.Goals: Explore how cold, heat andaltitude can impair physical and mentalfunction. Increase survival times.

At Brock University, our people and facilities — like our new state-of-the-art Cairns Family Health andBioscience Research Complex — help to shape well-rounded individuals.

Just ask Geoff Hartley. Geoff’s research will impact the survival of people working or playing inextreme climate conditions, from the tops of mountains and glacial environments to tropical forests andoceans deep. And when he’s not making discoveries in the lab of Canada Research Chair Stephen Cheung,he’s exploring new territory as part of a cycling club. Because Brock is a place that celebrates both sidesof the brain, where people become better versions of themselves.

For more information about our 42 graduate programs, check us out at brocku.ca

For both sides of the brain.

201 Grad School Planing Guide Ad_Layout 1 12-08-16 12:04 PM Page 1


Applying to graduate school or a professional program is tedious and overwhelming. The key is to familiarize yourself with the process and prepare your application early. Doing so will help you become a competitive applicant. In addition to your general application, the fol-lowing is required as part of your application.

writtEn StAtEmEnt Graduate schools and professional programs require a written statement as part of the appli-cation. Your statement will give the admission committee an idea of who you are as a person, separate from your grades and test scores. Re-quirements for the written statement vary by school and program. Make sure you’re aware of the specific components required from each of the programs and schools you’re applying to.

In addition to your achievements, academic goals, and career goals, you’ll need the time to think about and identify interesting and distinc-tive topics about yourself. For example, signifi-cant personal influences in your life, compelling learning experiences, overcoming loss, mean-ingful travel, and volunteer work. Schedule time to focus on your statement, and give yourself a few months to complete it. Have a couple of people read your statement to make sure your final draft is clear, concise, and tailored to each school and program you’re applying to.

Writing your own statement can be challeng-ing. Consider enlisting the services of a pro-fessional to write your written statements. It’s definitely worth the investment.

trAnSCriptSUniversities require official transcripts as part of your application. This means you’ll need to request your transcripts from the office of the registrar from each school you attended. Do so well in advance, as schools will need time to process your request and send the transcripts. The last thing you want is to have your appli-cation rejected because your transcripts were late. By beginning this process early, you’ll have the time and opportunity to do the necessary follow-up and request additional transcripts if necessary. Keep in mind there’s also a fee re-lated to ordering transcripts.

LEttErS oF rECommEnDAtionGraduate and professional programs require applicants to submit two- letters of recom-mendation. A recommendation letter gives information about you, your accomplish-ments, personal qualities, and experiences that aren’t found in the rest of your application. It explains how you’re the perfect candidate for the program you’re applying to. Your recom-mendation letters should cover your academic skills, research abilities, and work experience. Consider asking a faculty member, adminis-trator, internship educator or supervisor to be your referee. Writing a thoughtful and mean-ingful letter of recommendation takes time, so be sure to give your referee at least a month’s notice. Provide your referee with the informa-tion required in the recommendation letter. This way, you have covered all your bases and it makes it easier for your referee to create a well-crafted recommendation letter.

CurriCuLum vitAE (Cv)A CV is an academic résumé that highlights your scholarly accomplishments. Writing a CV is similar to writing a résumé. Just like a per-sonal statement, writing a CV is a tedious and time-consuming process. You can always have a professional write one on your behalf to save you time and frustration.

StAnDArDizED tESt SCorESMost graduate schools and professional pro-grams require standardized exams such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT. Being prop-erly prepared for these exams is crucial. Write your exam early, in the spring or summer before you apply. This will guide your program and school selection, and make sure your scores ar-rive to the schools before the application dead-line. The registration deadlines for these exams are well in advance of the actual exam date and some are only offered a few times a year, so make sure you’re well aware of these dates.

gEtting into grAD SChooLYOu’RE GOING TO BE SENDING LOTS OF APPLICATIONS, ALL AT ONCE. HERE’S SOME TIPS TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS.By: Panagiota Panagakos

TREAT A GRAD SCHOOL INTERvIEW LIKE AN INTERvIEW FOR A jOB

GETTING INTO GRAD SCHOOL

15

whowhatwhere whenwhyhow

RE S EARCH

STuDY uP ON THE uNIvERSITY

BEFOREHANDPRACTICE ANSWERING quESTIONS

ALWAYS DRESS TO IMPRESS!

IMAGES: © ISTOCK.COM


Having nearly completed her bachelor’s degree in women’s studies and psychology from West-ern University, Marissa Daniels was determined to stay in academia after her spring convocation. She planned on pursuing a master’s program, but was pulled in too many directions. “I’d been ac-cepted by several schools in Canada, as well as in England, and I didn’t know which one to choose.”

When it comes to decision time, sorting through your options can get pretty stressful. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe could work, but you wouldn’t be doing yourself any justice.

For StArtErS …One aspect that should play a role in your deci-sion is education diversity, explains Linda Cicuta, a career advisor at McGill University. “It’s rec-ommended to change schools so you can diversify your learning experience. Our professors tell un-dergrads to go to another school to get their next degree(s) because each student has different goals, and there are programs that could match them better at other institutions,” says Cicuta.

Leaving familiar soils is exactly what Daniels de-cided to do. She opted for a master’s of women’s studies at York University, embracing the new surroundings and change of pace.

“I’m really happy to be in the new environment. I think for people in women’s studies, or the arts in general, it’s really important to gain new perspec-tive, and going to York has done that.”

progrAm AnD proFESSor CompAtibiLitySince master’s programs have a narrowed focus, you should determine whether a program’s par-ticular direction is compatible with your area of interest. Karen Carrel Rice, team facilitator and career counsellor at the University of Toronto says it’s important to analyze before you come to a conclusion.

“I tell students to create some sort of criteria as to what they are looking for from their graduate program,” she says. “They need to decide if the particular program is speaking to what their look-ing for, and make sure they’re finding the best fit.”

In addition to researching programs, you have to research professors. In most cases, master’s stu-dents will be working one-on-one with their the-sis advisor, so identifying a professor whose area of expertise compliments yours is pivotal. This

doesn’t just mean attending the interview, you need to do a little more investigating.

“You can’t know if you’re truly compatible with an advisor until you actually start working with him or her,” Rice explains, “so speak to grad stu-dents who already have to get a better sense of his or her style.” This, she stresses, could not be more crucial. A poor student-advisor relationship could hinder your research and your experience as a graduate student.

CAmp grounDSCampus environment should also be carefully considered during the decision making process. If you’re tempted to stay up late partying instead of doing work, then you should veer away from those schools known for reckless social scenes.

Class size is also key, since some people respond better to intimate settings and smaller numbers, while others prefer lecture halls. “I’m really happy with the smaller class sizes,” says Daniels. “They are discussion based, rather than lecture based, which gave me a better opportunity to learn from my peers and to really be noticed by my professors.”

whEn in Doubt …If the decision isn’t clear enough, seek the help of campus career advisors. Among their many tal-ents, career councilors are the ultimate third par-ty. “If for no other reason,” Rice says, “students can see an advisor because they are an objective perspective, which is great when students are re-ally feeling the opinions and pressures of their family and people with vested interests.”

Since going to York, Daniels has remained active in academic circles and has been able to further ex-

plore her focus. She has also remained in touch with her undergraduate faculty, as she values their opin-ions and guidance. “Ultimately it was the right de-cision. I really enjoy the people and my professors, and that’s the key for me in completing this degree.”

So you’rE A grAD SChooL hotShot. BuT NOW THAT YOu’vE STOPPED PATTING YOuRSELF ON THE BACK, IT’S TIME TO DECIDE — WHICH ONE DO YOu GO TO? By: Amanda Chajes

DON’T FORCE YOuRSELF TO

RELOCATE IF YOu NEED TO BE CLOSE TO MuM AND DAD

DON’T STOP YOuRSELF FROM MOvING IF YOu

NEED THAT DISTANCE TO STAY SANE.

but

Need some family time?

CHOOSING BETWEEN ACCEPTANCE LETTERS

16

A CGA designation is more than a piece of paper. It’s a game changer. Certified General Accountants command top-tier credibility and maximum earning potential in the world’s most compelling companies.

There’s no better time than the present to imagine a bigger future.

The only question is, are you ready to DO MORE?

Hear CGAs discuss their personal paths to success at CGA-DoMore.org/testimonial

“I’m a fresh graduate. I feel like the CGA designation will provide a lot of opportunity. I’ve already been recognized at work with more respect and increased pay.”

MANJIT BAGRI, CGAManager of Finance, The Herjavec Group Inc.

Hear CGAs discuss their personal paths to success at CGA-DoMore.org/testimonial

“I’m a fresh graduate. I feel like the CGA designation will provide a lot of opportunity. I’ve already been recognized at work with more respect and increased pay.”

MANJIT BT BAGManageer of


SOCIAL NETWORKING

18

Have business cards and a brief summary about yourself ready to go. If you’re still in school, your business cards should have your name, program, graduation date, and contact information. How will people contact you if they don’t have your contact information?

w

Be positive, confident, and au-thentic. You’ll attract others ooz-ing those qualities. If you struggle with confidence — as many people do — then you need to fake it. If you fake it well, then people won’t know that you’re shaking on the inside. And over time, the more confident you act, the more confident you’ll become.

how Do you nEtwork EFFECtivELy?You need to meet new people to build your network, and you can’t meet new people if you’re sitting at a table full of people you know. I know it’s hard to sit and talk to people you don’t know. I’ve been guilty of using a networking event as a chance to catch up with friends, but doing so really wastes a golden opportunity to grow your network.

send a follow-up email to the people you met, and thank them for the time they took to speak with you. That simple email will reinforce your brief conversa-tion with them and help you stand out among the others they met.

You’ve heard it before: networking is important for your career! unfortunately, many people starting their careers don’t think they need to network or don’t know how to network effectively. Before I got my first job, I was one of those people.

I would tell myself that networking was for other people and not me. I didn’t think I needed to network to get ahead in my career. Soon enough, I realized the truth — networking is important and it’s hard to do well. It’s time to get started on honing your networking skills!

whErE Do you nEtwork? Networking can happen anywhere, not just at networking events. Every person that you meet has the potential to be in your network, and you should go out into the world with that mindset. Be proactive. Seek out opportunities to attend networking events that are relevant to you.

whEn ShouLD you StArt? Now! Don’t wait until you’re done school to start building your network. The earlier you start building your network, the larger your network will be when you graduate.

Networking is unavoidable: even if you don’t seek out net-working opportunities, you’ll eventually be in a position where you’ll have to network. So instead of being caught off-guard and unprepared, start polishing your networking skills. It’s a valuable skill you’ll use throughout your career!

whAt iS nEtworking? When you network, informa-tion is shared among people with common interests. In respect to your career, the more information and op-portunities you’re aware of in your field, the better equipped you’ll be for success. Don’t mistake social networking with networking: it’s not the same thing. Social networking is one way to network, but it isn’t the only way. Face to face contact is usually the most effective ap-proach, but it can also be done through email and phone.

why nEtwork? There will always be something new to learn in your field, and networking is a great way to discover the latest and greatest information.

It allows you to promote yourself to others who are already in your field of choice.

You won’t have to rely solely on job boards in your job search. Many companies have referral programs that encourage their employees to refer candidates.

It’s a great way to find out about career opportunities.

Networking is a two-way street: your network can help you, and it offers you the opportunity to help others.

who Do you nEtwork with? Ideally, you’ll want to ensure that you build your network within your chosen field. However, it’s important not to limit your network to only those people. Remember, people know other people. If a person you meet isn’t in your field, they might know someone who is.

who Do you nEtwork with? You’ll want to ensure that you build your network within your chosen field. However, it’s important not to limit your network to only those people. Remember, people know other people. If a person you meet isn’t in your field, they might know someone who is.

By: Allison Mitchell

JOHN MOLSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESSGOODMAN INSTITUTE OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

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GIIM - Job Postings Ad - 2012.indd 1 17/08/2012 3:05:12 PM


FoCuS hArDEr. mEmorizE bEttEr.rEAD FAStEr. googLE StrongEr.We’ve all seen them: those classmates who seem to make essays and exams feel effortless, those co-workers who regularly com-plete projects both early and under budget. “Good for them,” we say aloud. But in the back of our minds, a part of us thinks, “How do they do that? What makes them better than me?” The answer? Nothing. Very few are born with superhuman abilities. But those few who we perceive as superhuman are just people who’ve made the extra effort to learn special skills that allow them to accomplish things more productively and efficiently than

those around them. Specifically, they learn skills that allow them to reach their full potential, a potential that exists in all of us.

In the end, everyone wants that edge. And we plan to help you get it. In school (and in your future career), there are a couple of basic skill sets we can all supercharge to make us super productive. They include: memorization, reading, researching, multitasking, and fo-cusing. The following mini tutorials will teach you everything you need to learn to make these basic skills your super skills. Enjoy!

IMAGES: © ISTOCK.COM

By: David Tal

intense practiceAs you get better at using your peripheral vision to breeze through your sentences, continue to push yourself. This will heighten your perception of your future reading potential, and it will show you how much faster you can read with enough practice. In all, the more actively you practice the steps above, the quicker you’ll see the results in your reading speed.

the fingerYour eyes jump left to right as you read through a sentence (a motion called saccades). This is natural, but as you increase your reading speed, this can cause reading missteps which force you to reread sections of text. To help control this eye movement, use your finger (or a pen) to trace under each line as you read. Try doing this while you read as fast as possible.

Ah, the ability to speed read. It’s a skill that offers a variety of benefits. In particular, Abby Marks Beale, founder of Rev It Up Reading, says, “(Speed reading) provides the reading confidence and competence to get through your academic reading workload. Through increased speed, students increase concentration, which in turn supports increased comprehension, and ultimately better and longer retention. Reading becomes less of a chore and takes less time.” Speed reading is also a skill that will support you after graduation. Elizabeth Allen, author and founder of Super Fast Guides, says, “In the workplace, people are bombarded with written information, such as emails, reports, memos, etc. The quicker people can read and digest the in-formation, the quicker they can act on it, and perform their job effectively.”

Overall, speed reading is a skill that students across the nation pay good money to learn, and here you’ll learn it within just a few minutes. Get ready!

snapshotsOnce you’re comfortable skipping three words in and out of a sentence, start stretching yourself and read four words in and out, then five. Advanced speed readers only need to take two snapshots of an average sentence to read it fully.

the small skipAs you get used to reading faster with your finger to guide you, begin skipping the first and last few words of each sentence. Everyone has peripheral vision, and this ability works wonders while reading. So when you start a new sen-tence, skip to the third word and let your peripheral vision automatically read the first two words for you. Do the same at the end of the sentence, where you end on the third word from the last word. Start reading this way, faster and faster, until the process gets easier and easier.

reaD faster

smUg mcgee says“At college or university, the average student spends four to five hours a day reading and studying. Personally, I spend a fraction of the time and read twice the material.”

ImAges: © Istock.com

2012 | JoBPostINgs.cA

Learning how to research effectively is a vital skill you learn and use throughout your school and professional career. In our mod-ern, tech-savvy world, however, much of our basic research takes place online. Sure, primary research is important — interviewing people, conducting surveys, experimenting in the lab or field, etc. — but it’s through your secondary research that you usually form the basis for your thesis, methodology and supporting context. And much of that secondary research is now done online thanks to the world’s ever growing penchant for transferring the sum of human knowledge to the web.

how to search online

In google, there are things called operators: they are search terms that can help you get more specific and useful search results from your google query. For example:

yoU wanna finD: An article from the oatmeal that explains how to use an apostrophe, but not a comma, written between the year 2009 and 2011.

yoU wanna finD: A PDF report on globalization and its effect on communities.

ext: pdf intitle: globalization and its effect “on * communities”

searches only results of the file type you select, e.g. pdf, jpeg, etc.

google calls this “the wild card.” It fills in the blanks or replaces a missing or unknown word or words (in this case, the options can include: on local/indigenous/minority communities)

shows only results with that word in the article’s title (in this case: globalization)

site: theoatmeal.com “how” ~ use “apostrophe” – comma 2009 ... 2011

only searches the pages of that site

searches for the exact word or phrase within the quota-tion, not each word separately

excludes this term from the search

shows all results from the selected time range

to become a google power user, visit: googleguide.com/advanced_operators.

google stronger

Unfortunately, with all this abundance of info out there, most students have no clue how to research it properly. Yes, we, the technologically literate generation, can barely enter a proper Google query. In fact, known project conducted by researchers at Ethnographic Research in Illinois Academic Libraries found that only about a quarter of students studied were able to conduct “what a librarian might consider a reasonably well-executed search.”

Well, that ends now. The following tips will have you doing online research like a pro. This means better information for your next project, better grades, and, after graduation, more positive attention from your boss. Let’s start!

where to research

Researching online isn’t just about how to search for information, but know-ing where to search for information. When it comes to finding quality second-ary research, keep these key tips in mind:

Use Google Scholar: This service is a free, online, searchable database of academic and scholarly work — the stuff you can cite on your papers.

yoUr liBraryMost libraries, especially those found in post-secondary institutions, don’t just carry books. Their online resources may offer access to a huge number of da-tabases that contain academic and scholarly reports and journals (those that aren’t searchable online without a credit card), and free online subscriptions to newspapers and magazines.

BiBliographies You know those long lists of academic reports, journals, and books found at the end of most academic reports, journals, and books? It’s probably a good idea to start checking out those lists more carefully. They are an awesome source of information that will tell you where to find more relevant research sources for your project!

wikipeDia: Counter to what your profs might say, this is a great source of information when you want to read up on the basics of almost any topic. That said, be-cause the information on Wikipedia is produced through online crowd sourc-ing, you can’t trust the accuracy of everything you read there. So use Wikipe-dia to learn the basics about your subject, and where to find more accurate sources of information about it. And obviously, NEVER cite Wikipedia.

test yoUr skills!

Put what you just learned to the test! Find out what google’s first “company” dog’s name was and what year he became part of the family.

Be the first to post the answer on our facebook page and win a prize!

somebody beat you to the post? No worries, first 5 people to share the answer win a consolation prize!

HARDeR, BetteR, FAsteR, stRoNgeR

23

Memory is a tricky thing. Science has yet to re-veal how it fully works. And there are many fac-tors that can affect it. In general, a memory is information that the brain can recall, and this ability has a variety of applications. “Memori-zation techniques can obviously help students recall information quickly and effectively for ex-ams,” says Patrick C. Brown, founder of Occam Education, “but it also forces students to become more disciplined. Techniques, such as spaced repetition, require students to revisit material at increasingly longer intervals, and structure their academic/personal calendars accordingly.”

Meanwhile, in your post-grad life, effective recall can really help your career. Chris Tobias, author and founder of SchoolSkills.net, explains, “Re-membering the names, history, and life details of your co-workers and business associates will greatly help you succeed in your post-grad pro-fessional life. How many kids does your boss have? Where did your co-worker go for their last vacation? These facts will help you connect with people in conversation, build trust, and create great working relationships. Remembering busi-ness facts — such as how many units you need to sell this month — will help you handle the ‘hall-way conversations’ with expertise and profes-sionalism. This also builds trust and makes you a valuable member of the team, and to clients.”

memorize Better

what

fooD

activities

Breaks

lifestyle haBits to improve memory

why

Brain foods include complex carbohydrates, fibre, and lean protein.

By keeping your mind engaged with new experiences, you train it to remain more open to and absorb new information

Your mind needs regular breaks in order to properly absorb new information.

how

matcha (green tea), coffee, grass-fed beef, wild salmon, blueberries & acai berries, cacao beans, greek yogurt, quinoa, eggs

Listen to music, mental exercises (e.g. anagrams), puzzle games, learning new skills or hobbies, stimulate five senses. Also getting up off the couch once in a while can help improve your memory

Rest, exercise, walk breaks

JoBPostINgs.cA | 2012


24


Tien Nguyen19-years-old, vice president

communications for the engineering science student society at simon Fraser

University & second year systems engineering student.

“Picking brilliant, dedicated people out of a crowd. Working with amazing people is the best

thing you can do in school.”

“I’m open to improvement when it comes to speed reading. It’s important to be able to pick

up and transfer information quickly. Efficiency is vital!”

Derek Bennewies21-years-old, chair of cUtc – canadian

Undergraduate technology conference at the University of Waterloo. graduating

in 2013 with a major in nanotech engineering.

“I would like to have a zombie-on-brains-like fixation on dry academic readings. My brain

disagrees.”

Karl Gutowski25-years-old, president of the National

Finance students Association at York University. graduating in 2013 with a

major in finance.

what skill woUlD yoU most like to

learn to Do Better in school?

yoU can try the “methoD of loci”One of the little known but wildly effective memory techniques is the Method of Loci. Used all the way back in ancient Rome, this is a mnemonic device that’s based on build-ing relationships between spatial memories and the items to be memorized. How does it work? Basically, scientific research has shown that you can improve memory by associating

something you need to remember with a place you’re familiar with. Because of the way your brain works (especially your hippocampus), as-sociating something with a place, supercharges your ability to recall info. This is fairly easy when memorizing a single factoid. But this process is awesome when you’re trying to memorize a list of related facts and info.

Grab a deck of cards and pull out one random card for each room in your house or apartment (bathrooms and kitchens included).

Place the cards in any order you like, then assign each card to one room. Write down the order on a piece of paper.

In your mind, imagine yourself walking through your home, and placing each card inside an as-signed room (preferably on a flat surface, e.g. a table, chair, bed, etc.) in the order you assigned to those cards. Repeat this step a couple of times, walking through your home in your mind, setting the cards as planned out in step two.

Now open your eyes, shuffle the cards, then turn them over so you can’t see their faces. Walk through your home (in your mind), and see how many of the cards you can remember in the order you originally set out. Match your answers to the order you wrote down in step three. Chanc-es are you’ll be surprised by how many cards you remember correctly (and in the right or-der)! And as always, the more you practice, the better you’ll become.

neeD proof? try this exercise:

“Wait! hold on a second,” you say. “I don’t have enough rooms in my place to match the number of things I need to remember?” Well, if that’s the case, you can always “place your cards” in different parts of a single room (e.g. try placing one card on your desk, another on your dresser, one inside your closet, etc.). You can also try walking down your local street, and “placing your cards” in each of the different stores along said street.

Depending on your learning style (visual, verbal, kinaesthetic, or auditory), one of more of these strategies might help you:

Association: Attach images to words to assist in recall by linking to familiar things.

Environment: Adjust your environment to allow you to learn more effectively, e.g. some people

learn better in silence, others work better with music blasting.

Practice & Repetition: Repetition encourages the brain to form stronger

and faster neural pathways to the information you want to recall.

Focus: The better you are able to focus on the info you want to memorize, the more effective you’ll be at doing so. More about this later!

Chunking: Break things down into their smallest elements tomake them easier to remember.

Acronyms: Take a list of items that you need to memorize, summarize each item in one word. Then

take the first letter of each word and form them into a single word that can be easily remembered.

MORE MEMORIZATION TOOLS


25

2012 | JoBPostINgs.cAImAges: © Istock.com



26

your fingers rip across your laptop keyboard.

TAkE A VACATION FROM your frIEnDs. For the out-going types out there, your usual vice is people and connecting with them. But if you need to complete a project that’s worth 60 percent of your grade, politely ask your friends to not contact you until after you’re done.

BatchingBatching is the process of compil-ing all your most repetitive and tedious tasks and doing them all in one go, thereby minimizing the set up cost and time involved, and avoiding constant interruptions to your focus. This is a technique used throughout industry, but can be used in your personal life.

For example, instead of doing your laundry or dishes everyday, wait for them to pile up and do them all in one go (once or twice a week). In-stead of spreading your research out over the course of a week, batch it down to a day or two to avoid having to re-familiarize your-self with the previous day’s research progress. Instead of checking and answering your emails every five minutes, aim to do it only three times per day. At work, instead of spreading your calls throughout the week, batch them all into one day to free the rest of your week for more pressing matters.

The time-saving opportunities are endless. By finding those tasks in your life that can be batched, you replace a regular distraction with a single, focused period of time to ac-complish the tasks.

Okay, so we know we said we’d talk about multitasking right now, but we have a confession to make: mul-titasking actually doesn’t work. “The brain wasn’t designed to multitask,” says Margaret Moore, founder and CEO of WellCoaches.com, and co-author of Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life. “We can only focus our attention well on one thing at a time.” Sure, we can all breath and walk at the same time, but if you try to write a couple of work emails while in deep conversation with your significant other on the phone, your significant other may grow ever louder and more annoyed.

That’s why instead of trying to multitask, we’ll give you tips and tricks on how to focus more effectively. To be clear, focusing is about prioritization and sticking to a single objective. The better you’re able to focus, the better (and faster) you’ll be able to complete projects, big and small. Unfortunately, focus has a pesky enemy: Procrastination. Luckily, we’ve come up with some tips to both combat procrastination, and improve your focus.

eliminate Distractors We live in one of the most mentally stimulating periods of human his-tory. With so much access to ... well, everything (thank you Internet), can people really be blamed for be-ing distracted? No, but we can put in place measures to limit distrac-tions. They can include:

Block fAcEBook (AnD othEr ADDIctIvE sItEs). If you need to hunker down and focus on a project, consider giving your social media passwords to a trusted friend or family member, and have them change the passwords to lock you out until after you score your A+.

BLOCk THE INTERNET. For some of us, social media is not the only thing online that sucks up our time. For everything else, consider installing a browser plugin called LeechBlock. This ultra customiz-able plugin allows you to set the amount of time you allow yourself to visit a specific list of sites. once you pass the allotted time you’ve set, LeechBlock will automatically disable your access to that site.

CONTROL YOUR ENVIRON-MENT. Sometimes our homes offer too many distractions. If this is the case, consider working outside at a library, coffee shop, or park. Push in your earplugs (or earphones if you like music while you work) and let

80%80/20Vilfredo Pareto, a little-known economist who was recently popu-larized in Timothy Ferriss’ best-selling book, The 4-Hour Workweek, developed a theory called Pareto’s Law — today it’s commonly re-ferred to at the 80/20 principle. Originally, this law demonstrated the predictable distribution of wealth in society — that 80 percent of the wealth and income was pro-duced and possessed by 20 percent of the population. The trick is that this principle not only holds true in economics, but in every aspect of life.

Take a look at your life and ask yourself, “Which 20 percent of sources are causing 80 percent of my workload or taking up 80 per-cent of my time?” Be thorough. It can be a toxic relationship with a friend/colleague/significant other; a hostile business client; a com-mute; a style of work; a member-ship (maybe you are a part of too many clubs or associations); an activity, etc. Find those sources that are eating up too much of your time and focus, figure out whether they are really essential to keep in your life, then focus on better man-aging, minimizing, or eliminating those sources from your life.

artificial stressThe essence of procrastination is putting things off until a “more convenient” time, or to the last minute before they’re due. Steve Levinson, a clinical psychologist

focUsharDer!

and co-author of the book, Fol-lowing Through: A Revolutionary New Model for Finishing Whatever You Start, has some insight into this experience. “Procrastinators and non-procrastinators alike only do what they’ve decided they should when they actually feel like they must do it, he says “the only differ-ence between procrastinators and non-procrastinators is that it takes procrastinators a lot longer to feel like they must do it. In other words, they wait until ‘the last minute.’ That’s why I believe that a key to overcoming procrastination is to learn how to deliberately make ‘the last minute’ come sooner.”

To conquer procrastination, Levin-son suggests creating artificial dead-lines that force you to take action now, instead of an hour before the actual deadline. “Don’t wait for the last minute to come on its own be-cause it will come too late. Deliber-ately put yourself in situations that create pressure and urgency sooner.”

goal setting“Set realistic daily and weekly goals (not your activities) that specifically include the quantity, quality and the pace of the goal,” advises Dr. kevin D. Gazzara, senior partner at Magna Leadership Solutions LLC. “(This way) you get positive and timely reinforcement of you accomplishments.” Too many peo-ple try to accomplish ten or twenty things in a single day, then (surpris-ingly) they get discouraged when they only complete a handful of the items on their list. Sounds familiar? It should. It’s called trying to multi-task. Again, it doesn’t work! Instead, focus on accomplishing one or two big goals per day. You’ll be amazed at the difference this makes.

Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management

Learn how to examine and create innovative solutions to sustainability challenges in recreation and leisure. Field experience is included in the 16-month program. VIU is a World Leisure Organization Centre of Excellence. Applications considered from any undergraduate discipline. GRE and work experience are not required.

www.viu.ca/slm

Master of Educational Leadership (International Perspectives)

Prepare for leadership roles in education by developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes central to formal and informal school leadership in a local or global context. Applications considered from any undergraduate discipline. Teaching experience recommended but not required.

www.viu.ca/masterofeducation

Dual Degree MBA/MScIB

Earn a VIU MBA and a University of Hertfordshire (UK) MScIB concurrently. The program is 14-18 months from start to finish and includes a 4-month internship and an optional 2-month concentration in either Finance or Marketing. Applications considered from any undergraduate discipline. GMAT and work experience are not required.

www.viu.ca/mba

NANAIMOVancouver Island University900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada v9r 5s5Tel: 250.753.3245 | Toll-free: 1.888.920.2221

Canadian Students: [email protected] | www.viu.ca International Students: [email protected] | www.viu.ca/international

Love where you learn.

Located on Canada’s magnificent west coast, Vancouver Island University (VIU) offers students the opportunity to experience the best of educational activities and student life. Connect with a community of dynamic professors who are enthusiastic about teaching and have the expertise and experience to lead you in a balanced program of coursework, research and experiential learning.

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located in Dominica, West Indies, ross university school of Medicine (RUSM) has been providing students with the foundation they need to pursue successful careers in medicine for more than 30 years. At RUSM, providing an exceptional medical education to our students is our highest priority. We offer an intense, four-year program admin-istered by a faculty whose primary responsibility is teaching. Our in-tegrated curriculum allows faculty members from multiple areas of expertise to present traditional disciplines in an organ-based learning format that provides a comprehensive view of how the body works in disease and health. What is the outcome of this approach? Students who are genuinely excited about what they are learning as a result of being introduced to clinical medicine from the onset of their medi-cal school careers. And because we offer an accelerated curriculum, RUSM students are able to begin their clinical training just 16 months into the program in prominent academic teaching hospitals across the US, including St. Joseph’s Mercy Oakland Hospital in Michigan, kern Medical Center in California, Norwegian American Hospital in Illi-nois, and St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in New York.

Doctors in today’s shrinking world need to have an innate understand-ing of cultural differences. At RUSM, our students and faculty come from many different cultures which greatly enriches their learning ex-perience. In addition, our students have the opportunity to participate in over 50 clubs and organizations—many of them community-fo-cused, such as the Salybia Mission Project. This student-run organiza-tion provides much-needed medical care to the indigenous population

of Dominica and participating students take pride in the various posi-tions and responsibilities they hold in order to carry out their mission. Experiences like this give our students a global perspective on health-care and provide them with opportunities that they simply could not get anywhere else.

students earn their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree upon successful completion of the pre-clinical and clinical curriculum and the passing of the first three phases of the us Medical licensing Examination: USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 Clinical knowledge and USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills. This examination process is exactly the same as that of US medical schools. RUSM graduates are practicing across the US and Canada and each year, virtually every student who receives their MD from rusM goes into a residency in a wide range of spe-cialties, including anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatry, radiology and surgery. In fact, RUSM graduates have attained more US residencies annually than those of any other medical school in the world over the last five years.

More than 9,000 graduates have chosen RUSM because of our dedi-cated faculty, integrated curriculum, international outreach opportuni-ties and because of our well-earned reputation for providing the educa-tion that enables our students to pass their US and Canadian licensing exams and obtain excellent residencies. Provincial loans are available to those who qualify. To learn more about RUSM, visit RossU.edu.

ross University school of meDicine

sPoNsoReD BY Ross UNIVeRsItY scHooL oF meDIcINe

DECISIVE.RESILIENT.COMPASSIONATE.These attributes, which are honed throughout our

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who are practicing across the US and Canada.

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• Provincial loans are available to those who qualify.

For comprehensive consumer information visit www.RossU.edu/med-student-consumer-info© 2012 Global Education International. All rights reserved.

TORONTO, ON: September 15OTTAWA, ON: September 29VANCOUVER, BC: November 3

FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO REGISTER FOR AN INFORMATION SEMINARvisit RossU.edu or scan this QR code.

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there was no good Witch of the North to guide you at the crossroads and there were no yellow bricks. still, you held your head high and made your choice: follow the post-graduate road. Now, while your undergrad classmates are work-ing, earning money, and starting families, you’re up until morning clutching an espresso and a research paper.

that’s okay. everyone’s choices are different and you’ve decided to take the path that’s best for you. And now that you’ve chosen

your road, you’ll be spending the next few years on it, so you’ll need to learn to cope with the bumps.

it’s BUsy. it’s challenging. it’s

worth it.

sUrviving graDUate school

By: Darlene Morales

sURVIVINg gRADUAte scHooL

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1 know what to expectBefore you go, know what you’re dealing with. Review your program requirements and curriculum. Is your program based on research, projects, or courses? All three require time, dedication, and patience.

William tays, a PhD student at Brock university, suspected his graduate education experience was going to be differ-ent from undergrad, but that’s what he wanted. “I assumed I would have more autonomy in my own work, which is a very welcome change from merely taking classes as an undergraduate,” Tays says. “Overall, I was hoping it would be a very different experience from my undergrad career and that turned out to be exactly the case.”

You won’t necessarily live under a rock, but more focus on schoolwork equals less time for friends and family. Marilyn Rose, dean of graduate studies at Brock, says, “Graduate programs expect their students to work hard and spend a great deal of time mastering the discipline they have chosen to study … . Students have to be prepared to have little time left over for idleness or play.”

Jenny Phelps, assistant dean and director of graduate enrollment services at the University of British Columbia, says students will have to deliver better quality work. “The expectations are higher here. Students are expected to be more connected with the faculty since there are less lectures here and course sizes are smaller.” Phelps continues, “The nature of the work at the graduate level is more focused. It’s somewhat more independent, and there’s more responsibility for (students) to choose their career paths. They become managers of their own learning experiences.”

2 get involveD Graduate studies can mean more alone time for you and your work, but with some time management skills, you shouldn’t be alone all the time.

“We know that students can learn how to manage their time and thereby make sufficient time for socializing, ex-ercising, and otherwise taking care of themselves. And we encourage this, we even offer workshops on time man-agement and related skills,” Rose says.

Socializing (or networking) can play an important role in your career, says Phelps. “Research shows that the more engaged students are in their pro-grams, the better their outcomes are — the better the connections and the more experience they’ll have.”

Tays got involved by becoming a teaching assistant, joining the school senate, and helping out on several con-ferences and committees. “My regular grad work takes up a great deal of my time, but I’ve benefited from working outside my microcosm.”

3 stUDy or work overseasConsider pursuing your degree for a semester abroad. In general, any experience travelling, study-ing, and/or working overseas — being comfortable working in foreign environments — is always an attractive trait employers look for. Be open to breaking out of that nest!

Many university programs let students pursue course-based master’s and PhD’s in a number of part-ner institutions around the world. If you have this opportunity, jump on it. If you’re worried about the expense, consider teaching English part-time as you study: this approach lets you travel, exposes you to new cultures, and allows you to meet new people.

Aside from eating some different food, and maybe brushing up on a new language, studying abroad might also give you a different attitude to work and study that you can carry into your future career. Evan Malek, founder of Second Chance Travel, says that while many students want to kick their careers into high gear as soon as they graduate, it’s a good idea to consider slowing down.”North America is a more driven culture, very competitive. There’s a lot of pressure on young people to get into high gear. But I think graduates can learn more from other cultures and put more emphasis on adventure and exploration.”

4 know yoUrselfHave a game plan for after graduation: receiving your mas-ter’s or PhD degree is fine and dandy, but closing your last textbook and finding yourself with zero insight into what you want to do is not going to get you far when it comes to finding that first, real, post-grad gig.

Ben Rogul, from Aon Hewitt, says, “When I’m talking to new grads and I ask them what they’re looking for, I’d say nine out of ten times they don’t know.” He says when graduates come to him and list off the skills and qualities they have, that’s great. But, as a recruiter, it’s frustrating. The key information he’s looking for is what the new graduate wants to do.

Paul smith, from cAcEE, agrees, “the first job (you get out of school) doesn’t define the rest of your career. that’s why the most important thing for somebody who’s a new grad looking to make their way into the workforce is to know them-selves, to take the time to understand what they’re actually looking for, where their interests are, where their strengths lie, and go forward from there. It’s the person who knows what they’re looking for who’s going to be successful.”

5 keep yoUr eye on the prizeGrad school may require extra effort up front, but your effort will pay off in the end. “Survey research shows the higher the degree level you have, the higher your earnings are,” Phelps says. “This higher degree will even give you better job op-portunities. And this credential really puts you at an advantage over other people who don’t have it.”

Earnings aside, grad school also prepares you for the working world by teach-ing you discipline, says Demetres tryphonopoulos, acting associate dean for the school of graduate studies at the University of New Brunswick. “Graduate stu-dents are not only better prepared for the marketplace, but they also possess the kind of independence and discipline that employers value.”

The contacts you make can also help you land a job. “There’s no doubt that graduate studies offer many benefits in the area of social contacts that will pay off in the future,” Rose says. “Professors themselves are well-connected and can provide introductions or letters of reference (in fact, it‘s part of their jobs to do so) for students who do well in their courses.”

Grad students also learn professionalism, adds Tays. “I think grad school offers a considerable opportunity for personal and professional development. I’ve learned dedication, engagement, ambition, creativity, critical thinking, ingenuity, and pro-fessional citizenship.”

So yellow brick road or no, there’s no tiny wizard making false promises at the end of your grad school journey. Instead, you’ll develop the genuine professional-ism, contacts, and knowledge to help you achieve your career goals.

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gram prepares graduates for careers that link organizations to their most impor-tant assets – their people. It covers all the bases in this diverse field, including: recruitment and selection, compensation, training and development, pensions and benefits, health and safety, and labour relations. And it includes a four-week work placement. Plus, it is accredited by the Human Resources Professional As-sociation (hrPA) and prepares graduates for their certified human resources Professional (CHRP) designation.

new! event management. This is one of the most comprehensive event manage-ment programs available. You will learn to develop, coordinate and manage events, sites and facilities; implement financial initiatives, program events, and ap-ply marketing, human resources, operations and business management principles. Additionally, you will gain hands-on experience in event management practices such as planning, design, marketing, sponsorship, budgeting, risk management, evaluation and much more. Plus, it includes a four-week work placement to give you practical experience.

new! fashion management anD promotions. This program prepares graduates to work in the dynamic fashion industry. It focuses on new product develop-ment and branding, fashion buying and retailing, cosmetics and fragrances, multi-channel sales, promotion, merchandising, colour theory skills and trend forecasting. Graduates may find employment in companies that develop, man-ufacture, market, import, wholesale, distribute or retail fashions, accessories, fragrances and cosmetics.

new! alternative DispUte resolUtion. This program is for students with a keen interest in negotiation, mediation and arbitration, whether as part of their cur-rent job responsibilities, or to acquire these skills for career advancement. The curriculum includes insurance law, labour law, family law, commercial law, sys-tem design and community mediation, together with intensive workshop training in the foundations of negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Graduates may find employment as conflict resolution facilitators and agents representing parties participating in the mediation or arbitration process in the areas of legal practice, human resources, health care, education, social work, real estate and insurance.

Humber’s postgraduate business programs are offered in the intimate setting of the Lakeshore Campus, which is a study in contrasts. The surroundings have re-tained the Old World charm of 19th Century buildings, but they have also been updated to boast the latest advances in electronic classrooms and computer labs. there are also a fitness centre, student centre, cafeteria, coffee shops and perfor-mance spaces that will further enhance your experience. In addition to holding postgraduate degrees, The Business School’s instructors are actively working in the fields that are associated with their classes, bringing a real-world relevance to your studies. They all know the business skills that graduates will require in the workplace. Humber graduates know the value of the skills that are developed through The Business School. After all, they use them every day.

All of humber’s Postgraduate Business certificates prepare degree holders from any academic disciple for management and business careers. They all em-phasize practical skills and knowledge and feature a work placement to make you career ready as soon as possible. Most are delivered in less than a year. Postgraduate studies at The Business School at Humber include:

financial planning. This program provides a pathway to lucrative careers in financial planning. It prepares you for the exams required to obtain the certi-fied financial Planner (cfP) designation, and to become licensed to sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and a variety of insurance products. And its four-week work placement will help you to connect with the financial heart of canada.

gloBal BUsiness management. The Global Business Management program pre-pares you for a wide choice of careers and gives you the time to decide which is best for you. Besides providing you with knowledge and skills in virtually all of the major functional areas of business, this program covers skills every business wants in every manager: leadership, communications, numeracy, cre-ativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. two flexible work placements – one in each year – give you the hands-on practical experience that employers desire.

international Development. This program is designed for people who want to see the world and make a difference within it. It gives you the skills and knowl-edge required to coordinate and manage international socio-economic devel-opment projects and humanitarian and disaster relief initiatives. And features an eight-week work placement that often takes place overseas.

international marketing. This unique program applies the concepts that drive successful product development, advertising, promotion and distribution to the arena of international businesses in Canada and around the world. It incorpo-rates a four-week work placement that gives you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience with international companies located throughout the GTA.

marketing management. Humber’s Marketing Management program is one of the most comprehensive available. It covers all of the key areas: branding, prod-uct development, advertising, distribution, sales, direct marketing, planning, budgeting, strategy, and more. Plus, it includes a four-week work placement to give you the practical experience that employers demand. Prepare for manage-ment roles in the exciting world of advertising, promotion, public relations and brand marketing.

pUBlic aDministration. This is the only program of its kind in Canada. It pro-vides all of the knowledge, skills and experience graduates need to start success-ful public service careers. In three semesters you will receive advanced training in communications, policy analysis, project management, information technol-ogy, public finance, governance, leadership and human resources management. These studies are anchored by an eight-week work placement program.

hUman resoUrces management. Humber’s Human Resources Management pro-

are yoU career reaDy?tHe BUsINess scHooL At HUmBeR gIVes YoU teN WAYs to LAUNcH YoUR cAReeR.

sPoNsoReD BY HUmBeR, tHe BUsINess scHooL


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LOOKING FOR A COMPETITIVE EDGE?Niagara College’s one year graduate certificate programs will set you apart from the rest. Practical experience provided by these programs will give you specialized skills, build your portfolio and help you to make all-important contacts in your field. At Niagara College, it’s all about Student Success — your success.

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You’ve decided to continue your education after you graduate, but you’re not sure where. No wonder: the number of schools out there is enough to make anyone lose focus and the opportunities for specializa-tion within a single field seem endless. Physics majors have to choose between scary words like quantum, biological, or condensed physics. English specialists can study everything from medieval lit to feminist perspectives of Hemingway through the post-Marxist gaze.

If you need a graduate degree to start your career (think lawyers and doctors), your decision is made for you; all you have to do is compare university programs. But if you don’t need a post-graduate education to get work in your field, you should be asking yourself some questions to sort out all your options before you apply. This will help you make your final decision and may just help keep you from accepting an offer you don’t really want.

where Do yoU want to go to school?Location, location, location. Before you go application-happy and sign up for a master’s degree in Thailand, Spain, or Venezuela, sort through where you’re willing to live first. take some time to figure this out and all the ramifications a decision like this can have. Do you have family obligations that require you to stay close by? Are you worried about the cost of travel (or cost of living) in a new area? And what about all the other small things — the familiar sights, your friends, your barber — that you’ll have to give up. Are you willing to sacrifice them to pursue your area of interest. If you’re affected by any of these factors, start narrowing down your potential schools and programs by the geographic areas you can feasibly live in.

what interests yoU the most?Goodbye generalist undergrad degree. If you want to be a grad stu-dent, that means specializing. Within your field, what’s the specific area that interests you the most? If you’re going for an MBA, you’ll probably have to choose a specific part of business to study, like mar-keting or strategy. And if you’re in political science, maybe you’ll want to focus on the politics of a certain area, like the Middle East, or a cer-tain time period. Determine your area of specific interest, then com-pile a list of programs within your chosen geographical areas that fit

the bill. By looking at program specifics, as well as the experts available on faculty, your choice should be narrowed down even more.

what Degree Do yoU want to earn?When it comes to post-graduate degrees, there are a lot of options. Universities usually offer both master’s and doctorates. A master’s de-gree is often more practical in nature and is often research-based. A doctorate is more intellectual in nature and allows students in delve into the theory and philosophy behind their field of study. these two types of degrees also provide different career opportunities, depending on the field of study and your desired career. When it comes to decid-ing which degree to earn, knowing what you want to do with it makes all the difference. Researching your options takes time, but it’s better to do it now than find out later you’ve made decisions that don’t take your fundamental needs and goals into account. By strategically planning your education, you’ll avoid major reversals down the road.

college or University learning?A university education will land you a master’s degree or a PhD. these degrees are essential for fields like law, engineering, medicine, science, and even business management. Graduate programs at university gen-erally range in length from three to five years (but medical studies can last a decade). Universities teach and test theories. If that’s your thing, you’ll need to be prepared to listen in lecture halls and seminars, write research papers, exams, and possibly complete a thesis.

Colleges offer one and two-year programs. They tend to teach hands-on learning. Many college programs will expose you to a work en-vironment immediately via an internship or co-op placement, or by reproducing the work environment in the classroom. Courses range in length from two months to two years, resulting in certificates or diplomas. At some industry-specific schools, however, you may be able to earn a master’s degree.

In the end, your choices are endless, but by being smart, you can nar-row down your options into a career path that best fits your ambitions and future.

sorting throUgh yoUr optionslocation, Degree, anD learning style shoUlD all play a part in how yoU choose yoUr schoolBy: Ingrid Phaneuf

BY stRAtegI-cALLY PLAN-

NINg YoUR eDUcAtIoN,

YoU’LL AVoID mAjoR ReVeR-

sALs DoWN tHe RoAD

soRtINg tHRoUgH YoUR oPtIoNs

35



graDschool

is it right for yoU?

occUpational hazarDsSome professions require a post-grad, making the decision a no-brainer. For everyone else, the job a person can obtain through pursuing advanced education will vary. Investigating the doors that will open to an MA or PhD is paramount, as is the availabil-ity of jobs in that field. the ca-nadian Association of Graduate Students issued a report in 2006 stating that, “Full-time employ-ment opportunities for (bachelors and master’s graduates) are about the same for both levels of study, although it is slightly higher for master’s graduates.”

the Domino effectWhen the job market starts to shrink, the conventional wisdom is to weather the rough economy in academia. The trouble is that everyone tends to think this way. With so many people returning to school to pursue higher educa-tion, maybe that master’s won’t make you stand out as much as you’d like. The old cliché “expe-

rience is the best teacher” might not always be true, but starting your career earlier means you’ll be earning money, paying off debt, and getting more hands-on training than your peers who’ll be knocking on the door, résumé in hand, in a few years time.

the elephant in the roomGrad school is expensive! There are lots of financial paths to obtain-ing a master’s or PhD. scholarships and grants are a possibility, but due to the increased competition to get into grad school, it’s harder to qual-ify. “I’d love to apply for grants and funding, but I mostly wouldn’t get them because I don’t have straight As,” says Friesen. “If I were to go for my master’s, I’d have to apply for student loans.”

Lots of students look for work as a teaching assistant. “I think you’re supposed to TA around 72 hours a semester and it works out to around $25 an hour,” says Friesen, who has investigated the possibil-ity. “You’re only getting paid for time that you’re teaching seminars

and classes, and not for time spent marking first year students’ papers or reading articles so that you can facilitate a seminar.” That’s a lot of homework, and if you’re taking a full course load, working on the side, and still planning on eating and sleeping occasionally, work-life management becomes tricky.

A 2009 report written by the Canadian Council on Learn-ing shows the average university grad owes an average of $26,680. That’s nothing to sneeze at for a young adult, and the more debt a person has, the more likely they are to put off travel, starting a family or other worthwhile goals.

the pay-offThe argument for tackling a mas-ter’s and taking on more debt is that the rewards will make it worthwhile. That may be true of some fields, but not for others. The same report from the Ca-nadian Association of Graduate Students offers the following tid-bit: “2001 Census of Canada data shows that the greatest benefits of

having completed master’s stud-ies versus bachelor-level studies in terms of increasing income levels were in commerce, management and administration, and health professions. The advantage was marginal in engineering, applied sciences, mathematics and physi-cal sciences, humanities and re-lated fields.”

For die-hard academics, none of these arguments will matter. The pursuit of higher education can be beneficial on multiple levels given the right circumstances. Just don’t make the leap head first.

it’s time to weigh yoUr options: ARe YoU sURe gRAD scHooL WILL tAke YoU WHeRe YoU WANt to go? By: kevin Nelsonso you’ve earned your degree, worn the square hat, and had your school library privileges revoked. Now what? For some people, this marks the start of their career, for others, it’s the green-light to start family planning. then there are those who decide to pursue even higher education.

I’ve had plenty of friends and family who’ve gone the post-grad route and it’s worked to their advantage. However, the post-grad decision will affect the rest of a person’s life. Before taking another trip up the ivory tower, maybe it’s time for some pre-post-grad pondering.

165,789stUDeNts eNRoLLeD IN

gRADUAte scHooL IN 2008

Is gRAD scHooL RIgHt FoR YoU?

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the online programs offered by many institutions still require you meet deadlines in order to accumulate the credits you’ll need to graduate. And even though tests are online, you still have to pass them. Assignments are sent to you by professors, and certain schools even have live chats where everyone can log on and discuss a potential project.

Online learning is a great way for students with other responsibilities to stay competitive, says Anne-Marie Vaughan, director of distance education and learning technologies at Memorial University in St. John’s NB. “As careers change, labour markets grow and evolve, and individuals seek advance-ment, there’s a growing need for people to be provided opportunities to learn while they earn and live,” says Vaughan. “The end result is providing a supportive environment for our learners so that they can balance their busy schedules with the opportunity to learn and grow academically.”

WoRk WHILe YoU sPecIALIzeSome school programs can give you credit for your work experience, which means you just may be able to work and earn credits at the same time. For example, a person with work experience in business management can quite literally cash in on his or her experience by pursuing an MBA in an acceler-ated program. The pay-off can range from a promotion to a major raise.

“Most business schools prefer that you’ve been working in the field for at least two years, since it really gives students a perspective of the business and what it takes to manage a successful one before pursuing an MBA,” says Michael Darling, program director for the accelerated MBA pro-gram at Queen’s University.

As for employers: “They’re just happy the student is pursuing a higher ed-ucation that can ultimately help their company as well. It’s really a win-win situation,” says Darling. “After the program, our students are promoted sooner and they move into higher-than-expected positions.” Which means after all that school, your career will be on the fast-track too.

getyoUrDegrees

fastertHeRe ARe WAYs to sAVe tIme AND moNeY, WHILe stILL gAININg A VALUABLe eDUcAtIoN

INVestIgAte joINt PRogRAmsIt used to take up to seven years to earn both a college diploma and a university honours degree, but by entering a collaborative or joint pro-gram you can earn both in five years or less, and save money on tuition as well. That’s because students who opt for joint programs get to carry over credits from their ‘sending’ institution to the institution that will be receiving them.

“University students who transfer over to college (or vice-versa) in pur-suit of a degree or diploma are saving time by having their credits trans-ferred,” says Susan Thomas, coordinator of degree and credit transfers at Seneca College in Toronto. “They’re also saving money, and that’s a real advantage.”

There are two ways to enter joint programs, says Thomas. “Some students start out in university and transfer over to college for a diploma. Others start out in a college diploma program and transfer over to university.”

Students transferring from college into university should remember, how-ever, that they will have to meet minimum grade requirements. Most uni-versities require at least a B average from students coming out of college.

Rest assured your hard work will pay off, says Thomas. That’s because getting both a diploma and a university degree will give you the best of both worlds: a sound education in practice (college) and theory (univer-sity). You won’t just have in-depth knowledge about your area of interest — you’ll also learn the skills you need to rise in your field.

oNLINe eDUcAtIoNThe upside of distance, or online, education is that you don’t have to roll out of bed at the crack of dawn to attend class, and you don’t have to worry about the commute. Instead, you can sit yourself down in your PJs, at your computer, in the dead of night. Just make sure you have the discipline required to make this kind of learning work for you. After all,

What if you want to take a year off from school to work, travel, or start a family? The good news is, you can fast track your education without necessarily spending the rest of your best years in school.

As cAReeRs cHANge, LABoUR mARkets gRoW AND eVoLVe, AND PeoPLe seek ADVANcemeNt, tHeRe’s A gRoWINg NeeD FoR … oPPoRtUNItIes to LeARN WHILe (YoU) eARN AND LIVe.

By: Darlene Morales

FAst tRAck

38


DRIVE YOUR CAREER WITH THE MASTER OF DIGITAL EXPERIENCE INNOVATION

The Master of Digital Experience Innovation at the University of Waterloo combines creativity, technology and business in one professional degree that gives you a superior advantage.

Collaborate with students, professors and industry partners like OpenText and Google on team-based projects. Earn the education portion of the Project Management Professional (PMP) designation and be uniquely qualifi ed to lead digital media projects from start to fi nish.

Start your career with the Master of Digital Experience Innovation – apply for Fall 2013.

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MAKING THE FUTURE IN STRATFORD

Every year, increasing numbers of Ca-nadian students discover that American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) is the place to be if they want to pursue a career in medi-cine. This is largely due to the fact that our Canadian graduates are success-fully matching into residency programs and continuing on to practice medicine in Canada as well as the United States. With a highly regarded faculty, impres-sive United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) passage rates, an ac-complished network of alumni and strong partnerships with residency place-ment sites across the United States and England, AUC is committed to provid-

american University of the cariBBean school of meDicine

ing a high-quality, internationally recog-nized program of medical education.

AUC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), has provided students with a quality medical education since 1978, and has more than 5,000 graduates who

are licensed and practicing medicine throughout the world. AUC students are eligible to sit for the USMLE, obtain provincial loans if qualified and—upon graduation—obtain residency and licen-sure throughout the United States and Canada. The curriculum is equivalent to us medical schools, with five semes-ters of medical sciences taught at the St. Maarten campus, followed by four-and-a-half semesters of clinical sciences taught at affiliated hospitals in the unit-ed States and England.

AUC offers a rolling admission policy and semesters begin every September, January, and May. For more information, visit AUCmed.edu.

IN 2012, AUc gRADUAtes AttAINeD ResIDeNcIes IN 17 sPecIALtIes AcRoss tHe Us AND cANADA.

2012 | JoBPostINgs.cAsPoNsoReD BY tHe AmeRIcAN UNIVeRsItY oF tHe cARIBBeAN scHooL oF meDIcINe

School of Accounting & finAnciAl ServiceS

toronto is the third largest financial services centre in north America and more than 79% of the 230,000+ employees in this sector have post-secondary credentials.

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which mBa is right for me?Students can choose an MBA pro-gram on either a full-time or part-time basis, online, in-class, or in a hybrid format. Students can opt for an MBA, or Executive MBA (EMBA) program, depending on their needs. shai Dubey, the di-rector of Queen’s MBA program, explains the difference. EMBAs, he says, are ideal for those in the advanced stages of their profes-sion because they need to “ac-celerate their careers.” Dubey describes the typical MBA ap-plicant as having less experience, around 29-years-of-age and seek-ing a career change. Contrary to what some believe, most MBA ap-plicants have diverse educational backgrounds and not just an un-dergrad in business.

chris skerik, an associate at tD Commercial Bank and recent graduate of Athabasca’s MBA program, supports Dubey’s ob-servations. With an undergradu-ate degree in political science, he admits how he wasn’t sure if he would measure up to his new class-mates. “Initially I was insecure, but soon realized that it didn’t matter.”

what am i going to learn?“Don’t go in thinking ‘I’m go-ing to come out with X,’” Dubey explains, because a quality MBA program is “transformational.” Skerik agrees. He believes he went through a “personal change process,” resulting in plans for

the second act of his career.

Dubey explains the academic side is one component of the MBA, but it’s the soft skills that truly groom students into becoming the complete package. The curricu-lum is designed to meet the needs of the business world, which in-cludes dealing with diversity. At Queen’s, students are trained on “how to handle conflict in a pro-ductive way, to take input from people from diverse backgrounds,

and to help people understand that people think differently.”

Dubey further advises applicants to prepare themselves for a differ-ent style of learning. Traditional undergraduate programs use conventional professor-led lectur-ing styles. MBA programs inte-grate technology in the learning process. Dubey has observed how video conferencing has produced a paradigm shift in learning. Rather than facing the instructor, students face each other. They

read each other’s facial expres-sions and body language. As a result, networking has become stronger with video conferencing because it encourages people to connect in a different way.

trenDs in the mBaDubey believes that trends in edu-cation reflect trends in the world. “There will be more globaliza-tion,” he explains. With North America being home to the larg-est schools, Canada has “a real

play in the global markets.”

Simon Fraser University’s Segal Graduate School in Vancouver is rolling out their new Americas MBA for Executives in collabo-ration with three other gradu-ate schools in Brazil, Mexico, and the u.s. Derek Moscato of SFU’s Beedie School of Business believes this program is ideal for professionals working in “indus-tries where trade is paramount and operate within the param-eters of NAFTA.”

Many universities, including Queen’s, are actively recruiting women. According to tD Eco-nomics Special Report, women are still under-represented in management positions. Dubey explains Queen’s success in in-creasing female enrollment by actively recruiting them and breaking down the stigma that only men can hold senior roles.

what Do employers think of the mBa?Allison Guld, director of talent acquisition at Blast Radius, an on-line marketing firm in vancouver, reveals that some of her senior personnel hold a wide variety of postgraduate degrees. “Higher education is definitely valued,” she says, explaining that MBAs are appropriate for positions focusing on strategy. She believes potential employees should remember that work experience has credence over a degree. Randall Mountain, human resources counsellor at tD canada trust, shares a simi-lar view. “We look for a balance of education, work experience, and accreditation for our roles.”

tD Bank financial Group has a management associate program operating out of Toronto that actively hires new MBA gradu-ates on campus. When selecting an MBA program, look into the university’s career centre to see if they help graduates connect with employers too.

an mBa can accelerate yoUr career & take yoU where yoU want to BeLifelong learning is our future. According to statistics canada, 65 percent of jobs in the future will require a post-secondary education. As North America moves towards a service-based economy, higher education will help canadians manage future prospects. As a result, universities across the country are providing programs to bridge current workers for future changes.

By: Eleni Papavasiliou

DoN’t go IN tHINkINg “I’m goINg to come oUt WItH X,” A qUALItY mBA PRogRAm Is tRANsFoRmAtIoNAL

mBa tUition fees VARY AcRoss tHe coUNtRY AND RANge FRom As LoW As $4,000 to As HIgH As $100,000 At eLIte INstItUtIoNs.

$4000 {memorial University of Newfoundland}

$65,000 {queens University)

$100,000 {elite Institutions}

tHe DeAL BeHIND YoUR mBA

43


With cutting-edge programs and equipment, in-class learning that meets or exceeds industry standards, and practical work placements throughout the country, we will help you get the valuable knowledge and skills you need and the on-the-job experience employers demand.

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2012 | JOBPOSTINGS.CA

Why is it that a person might intelligently share ideas and crack jokes, but presents to an audience using stilted, boring language?

Speaking in front of an audience can be nerve wrecking, whether you’re talking in front of a classroom or a boardroom. Over the years I’ve worked as a communications consultant and as a presentation and voice coach, I’ve learned to recognize the common mistakes speakers make. And I’m here to make darn sure you avoid them.

The first mistake I often see is the use of ”re-port language” during a presentation. Con-necting authentically at the podium means using natural language and natural speech patterns. The exception would be if you mumble or are overly casual when speaking. Saying, “Yo dude,” to your future employer isn’t always a great lead-in.

Effective speakers use “conversational” rath-er than “report” language. When you write a presentation or share ideas, use direct lan-guage and active verb tenses. Try to cut down your sentence length by using interesting verbs. Don’t say, “In our report today we will discuss the following… . “Lead with a great question for people to think over and refer back to it.

AdvICe TO duST Off yOur PublIC SPeAkING SkIllS

Second, people learn ideas using context. Think back to the three most interesting things you learned in your life. You learned them in the context of a situation, because you remember the situation. Embed your listeners’ experience in an interesting story their minds can grab onto, not abstractions. Think of it almost as the difference between being spoken with and spoken to.

For example, when trying to teach the value of humility, teamwork, and listening, you can use a well known story, such as the winning goal at the men’s hockey game at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. In this case, arro-gance and presumption cost the Canadian team the gold medal only a few short years before, but their “humility, teamwork, and listening” was what allowed them to win out in the following Olympic games. It’s a fan-tastic story of a sincere team effort bringing a group back, and one that will more likely make you think about teamwork differently.

Now imagine if the reporters at that gold medal game had commented on the game with the voice of one of your least favorite professors. Would you have switched stations?

The third mistake is using a stiff monotone or

singsong speech pattern in the delivery of your ideas, as it works to undermine your message. Think about it, you don’t talk to your friends in a monotone or sing-song pattern, so don’t why would you do the same to your audience?

When it comes to fixing a monotone voice, the issue focuses around a lack of variety in your speech pattern. Try to stretch your com-fort zone by practicing to raise or lower your pitch on specific words for emphasis. Record yourself, and listen to the changes. Alter what you’re practicing if it sounds unnatural.

Meanwhile, singsong is caused (in part) by using upward inflection at the end of a sen-tence. Canadians love to upward inflect. Women in particular tend to upward inflect. Upward inflection creates a question at the end of a sentence, and gives the impression of being unsure of yourself. Using a slightly lower pitch at the end of a sentence creates an impression of confidence.

Changing speaking patterns takes time and a safe space to practice. You may feel uncom-fortable at first, since our sense of identity is very linked to our speech pattern. Be gentle with yourself, and give it time.

In the end, aim to share your ideas without hesitation, with humour, and in natural, con-versational language. Approachability in lan-guage and speaking style will go a long way to having your ideas heard and listened to by your classmates and colleagues.

Mary Michaela Weber is one of Canada’s top com-munications consultants, known for using wit and a smart sense of strategy. Her company, Voice Empow-erment Inc., brings her background of over 20 000 hours of training to CEO’s, Ivey League University professors, and up-and-comers across North America and the Caribbean.

Selling yOurSelf and yOur ideaS By:

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ImAGeS: © ISTOCk.COm

JOBPOSTINGS.CA | 2012

uNCle SAm WANTS yOu

46

uncle Sam wantS yOu!

Study and wOrk in the u.S.ever considered studying in the united States? Whether you want to experience a new environment, enjoy the wealth of American univer-sities, or just be closer to studmuffin Jake Gyllenhaal, you’ll need a study and work visa to make it past the border check.

There are several different types of u.S. study and work visas avail-able to you. Scott feekan, consular officer at the u.S. Consulate General in Toronto, explains, “The most common visa that’s used for people to study in the u.S. is called an f-1 student visa and that would cover studies in secondary school, university, undergraduate or graduate programs.” By: Alyssa Ouellette

To apply for a visa, you first have to identify the school you want to attend in the U.S. From there, the university sends a form called an I-20 and enrolls you in the Student Exchange and Visitor Information Program. “This program allows the gov-ernment to make sure the school and the student are both being compliant with U.S. immigration law,” says Feekan.

With the I-20 form, you can actually start applying for the visa. “What (students) would do, here in Toronto for example, is go online — all the instructions are on our website — schedule an appointment, and pay the requisite fees for the visa. Once they’ve done that, they can schedule an appointment (with a con-sular officer),” says Feekan. After that, a consular officer reviews your I-20 form, confirms you paid their fees, and that you can pay for your classes. At the end of the interview, the consular officer gives his or her opinion on whether or not your visa ap-plication will be accepted.

“In 2010, worldwide, the Department of State issued 715,000 student visas, exchange visas, and vocational visas,” says Feekan. In the same year, 86 percent of student visas were approved, worldwide, and Toronto would fall in line with that.

Exploring all of the options available to students today can help you get the best education for yourself. Catherine White chose to leave Ontario and study at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

“I wanted to go to the U.S. to study at an Ivy League school, and compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 league.”

Work visas also come in many different categories. The broadest category is for temporary work in the U.S. The most common visa category is the H-1 visa for a skilled or specialized workerS.

“The way the process works is an employer in the U.S. has to file a petition for a worker overseas,” says Feekan. The U.S. Depart-ment of Labour has to confirm that there aren’t enough people in that job market to fill that position in the U.S. “Once that process is complete, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the petition, the applicant can schedule an appointment for their visa overseas.”

Obtaining any kind of visa can seem overwhelming, but there are exceptions to some situations. Murray Grondin is a creative director at an advertising agency in Detroit, Mich. Grondin, originally from Canada, says, “Obtaining a work visa is a long, slow, expensive process. Luckily, I got a transfer from my em-ployer in Canada to the same employer in the U.S. They hired the lawyers and did the paperwork.”

If you want to make an exciting change in your life and study or work in the U.S., then get started today. The information and resources are available at your fingertips.

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Jobpostings Grad School Planning GuideFall 2012

Our species seems to be outgrowing the planet it lives on. The villainous Agent

live in equilibrium with the environment. We are a cancer, he says. Sustainabil-

between planet Earth and human civilization.

tnorfnoc ot ygoloicos dna ,scimonoce ,msilatnemnorivne sdnelb issues concerning conservation, industry, and prosperity. As land and resources

run out, there’s increasing pressure for corporations, governments, and peoples

and some schools have taken that extra step to offer complete studies focusing

sustainability studies. Their curriculum looks at innovation in technology and

policy, and also places emphasis on economic and social implications that may

affect businesses and other institutions. London’s University of Western Ontario

(UWO) also has a master’s in environment and sustainability. Courses within this

program involve engineering, consulting projects, and examining the relation-

ship between the health of a population (including humans) and its ecosystem.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has a number of graduate programs

that deal with the different aspects of sustainability from forestry to mining.

From a technological and energy perspective, their master’s of engineering and

clean energy program aims to reduce environmental impacts. At the same time,

the university provides an MBA for sustainability and business. Taking in about

24 students each year, this program examines responsibilities that business lead-

ers have towards both the economy and the environment.

Dr. Eric Mazzi, an instructor at UBC’s Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC),

describes the clean energy program like this: “We focus on the energy aspects

of sustainability. Sustainability is important because our use of energy and oth-

er resources extracted from our planet is at a rate that’s not considered to be

important because even if we don’t exhaust our resources, the impact of such

prolonged use on the environment can still have unpleasant results, such as the

atmosphere losing its capacity to assimilate chemicals.

Mazzi stresses that sustainability students should have respect for all disciplines

mocne ytilibaniatsus ,enilpicsid eno ni

-

passes many areas. It’s important to appreciate and be willing to work with those -

healthy respect for politics and public policy is essential.”














thing,” says Mazzi. “Keep the options open and keep promoting newer technol-

ogy. But at the same time, it’s important to make better use of the resources we














After graduation, during winter break, or in the summers between terms, Canadian students scatter

across the Earth. But these aren’t students seeking the latest vacation opportunities; they are career-

bring them, the unique experiences available nowhere else, the new skills, the unexpected lessons, and

the stand-out entries on their résumé.



the Himalayan Health Exchange, she traveled between villages and refugee camps, providing medical

care to people in remote regions. During that time, she slept in a sleeping bag on the bare earth, drank








compelled to do pediatrics.”There are reasons besides spiritual and professional revelation to seek work experiences like these. Tasl










her school forums.“It was a lot of paperwork,” says Naomi. To join the Himalayan Health Exchange, she moved between


bursary money.


that provide support. Hudani stresses that kind of contact with a student’s college or university as a key

element of preparation. Career center counsellors and coordinators are there to help.

It’s worth taking that care for students like Naomi. “It was a fantastic way to connect with the world

around me, to put myself outside my comfort zone, and grow as a person.”



dna segalliv neewteb delevart ehs ,egnahcxE htlaeH nayalamiH ehtcare to people in remote regions. During that time, she slept in a sleeping bag on the bare earth, drank








compelled to do pediatrics.”A global résumé and the big draw

There are reasons besides spiritual and professional revelation to seek work experiences like these. Tasl










“It was a lot of paperwork,” says Naomi. To join the Himalayan Health Exchange, she moved between


bursary money.


years of specialization. As they study, students hold on to the hope that there will be an

appropriately specialized job waiting for them. Yes, this specialized training can make you

invaluable, but can also mean that during an economic crunch you might be left with

an unparalleled skill-set ... that nobody needs. Additionally, services such as Google and

YouTube surround us daily with samples of knowledge that simply cannot be covered by

a single area of study, and many industries are now demanding that new hires have an

educational mix. Being able to receive this kind of global education and graduate within a

decade is where interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs come in.

Such diverse interests and demands might seem like a modern consequence of our da-

ta-saturated lifestyles, but interdisciplinary programs have existed for decades, from the

University of British Columbia’s 40-year-old Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program

(IGSP) to the interdisciplinary PhD started at Dalhousie in 1984. The roots of several facul-

ties we take for granted, like women and gender studies or international development, lie in

form the basis of innovative research in emerging areas like biotechnology and education.
































back to school because their professional experience has led them to certain research ques-


vision that seems to be in line with the emerging shape of the global economy by providing

grads with knowledge that’s, well, globally applicable.
































back to school because their professional experience has led them to certain research ques


eduma catiOn

THEbestof

beING A STudeNT AIN’T eASy. frOm mANAGING everyTHING frOm A budGeT TO mulTIPle deAdlINeS TO yOur lITTle blACk bOOk, IT’S Never beeN HArder TO be A STudeNT. buT THe GOOd PArT?

JObPOSTINGS HASN yOu COvered WITH edu-mA-CATION, Our mONTHly eXPlOrATION Of STudeNT CulTure. Here Are Our beST STOrIeS Of 2012.


Will there be a time when we’re reluctant to mention a course we took in an actual classroom, fearing it’ll give away our age? That time seems to be on the horizon. As online courses become more relevant each year, a handful of post-secondary institutions have uploaded the prestigious master’s program into an online medium. But with the university experi-ence’s reputation for culture and connection-building, will students still obtain the social and networking experience employers are looking for?

In 1994, when the Internet was a strange, new frontier, Athabasca Uni-versity offered their executive MBA program completely online. A de-cade later, the University of British Columbia (UBC) began offering an online master’s degree of its own in rehabilitation sciences. UBC is bridg-ing the gap between institutions and offers the online MRSc program jointly with McMaster University in Ontario.

Karen Hurtubise was a student who graduated from UBC’s online reha-bilitation science program. “I chose the online master’s because I didn’t have access to the area [of study] I wanted to explore,” she says. “It allowed me to access courses which I didn’t have the opportunity to do locally.” The program also allowed Hurtubise to work full time during her studies and move from Newfoundland to Calgary, without having to transfer any of her credits.

Nevertheless, concerns about whether such a degree would even be taken seriously aren’t unusual. “When Sue Stanton started talking about de-veloping the program, they looked at her like she was from Mars,” says Mary Clark, an instructor in UBC’s MRSc program. However, Clark ex-plains that inviting employers to get involved in the program and partici-pate in the process was key to establishing the program and its credibility.

“Employers are seeing that they don’t even have to wait until the [thesis] is done,” says Clark. “They’re seeing the benefit with each course.”

It turns out many employers don’t fuss over how you got your degree, provided it’s from an accredited institution. They’re more interested in what you have to offer. “We focus our hiring decisions on the individual and the attributes they bring,” says Eric Appleyard, who oversees corpo-rate recruitment and university relations for TD Bank Group. “We’re not as concerned as to where they got their degree from, whether it be online or in a traditional manner. It’s more in terms of their experiences, their knowledge, skills, and their abilities.”

In addition, any disparities in the quality or value of education appear to be negligible. “We haven’t noticed any difference in terms of the quality of work or any of the interpersonal skills,” says Appleyard. “Again, we screen for people who can make an impact, work effectively in teams, live transparently, and show excellent judgment.”

The university experience is celebrated for its opportunities to connect with others. Some might wonder if this is still possible when limited to virtual relationships. Hurtubise, however, boasts that she managed to network more online, building a stronger connection with her online master’s group than in her undergrad. “Because the class size varied significantly, as well as where the individuals were from and what their backgrounds were, it allowed a huge opportunity to network with people from across Canada and around the world.” She also notes that there are a number of events, including graduation, where you would get a chance to meet your peers face-to-face.

Although master’s degrees tend to be theory-based, employers may also look at the practical applications of the knowledge that students gain. In fact, UBC’s MRSc program emphasizes these workplace applications. Students not only work closely with instructors from all over the world, but with professionals and employers in the industry who eventually as-sess the student’s final project or thesis. “Our target is people who are really passionate about practice,” says Clark. So although the MRSc pro-gram could prepare you in pursuit of that PhD, you might find yourself with an active career in the field, instead of tenure at the University of XYZ.

Could this be a direction higher education is heading? Appleyard main-tains that a student’s success comes down to what she’s trying to get out of the program, rather than the form her education takes. “Choice is great for learners,” says Appleyard. “The more choices candidates have, the better they’re able to choose the program that reflects what they need.”

For now it appears as though we don’t need to look forward to a day when we’re old and rambling on about lecture halls and chalkboards. The classroom will always be an integral part of learning but cyber-space will be as familiar in the learning environment as the projector used to be.

the virtual campuSTHe INTerNeT IS A PlAyGrOuNd Of GAmeS, SOCIAl ACTIv-ISTS, ANd mIlITAry SeCreTS. NATurAlly, THere’S rOOm fOr A mASTer’S deGree. By: Andrew Williams

“IT TurNS OuT mANy emPlOyerS dON’T fuSS Over HOW yOu GOT yOur deGree, PrOvIded IT’S frOm AN ACCredITed INSTITuTION. THey’re mOre INTereSTed IN WHAT yOu HAve TO Offer”

theBeStOfedumacatiOn

CyberSPACe WIll be AS fAmIlIAr IN THe leArNING eNvIrONmeNT AS THe PrOJeCTOr uSed TO be

THe beST Of edu-mA-CATION

50


In fields like medicine or engineering, gaining a professional education traditionally means years of specialization. As they study, students hold on to the hope that there will be an appropriately specialized job waiting for them. Yes, this spe-cialized training can make you invaluable, but can also mean that during an economic crunch you might be left with an unparalleled skill-set ... that nobody needs. Additionally, services such as Google and YouTube surround us daily with samples of knowledge that simply cannot be covered by a single area of study, and many in-dustries are now demanding that new hires have an educational mix. Being able to receive this kind of global education and graduate within a decade is where interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs come in.

Such diverse interests and demands might seem like a modern consequence of our data-satu-rated lifestyles, but interdisciplinary programs have existed for decades, from the University of British Columbia’s 40-year-old Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program (IGSP) to the inter-disciplinary PhD started at Dalhousie in 1984. The roots of several faculties we take for grant-ed, like women and gender studies, lie in early forays into interdisciplinary programs. And it’s these combinations of fields that often form the basis of innovative research in emerging areas like biotechnology and education.

As the oldest program in Canada for post-graduate interdisciplinary learning, the IGSP at UBC serves as an excellent model of the op-portunities to be found for interdisciplinary aca-demics. “Students in our program take courses at 35 different departments across university,” explains Hillel Goelman, chair of UBC’s inter-disciplinary program. “[But] there are a couple of cluster areas of interest — the medical and health sciences, students who cross between the sciences and social sciences [such as] environ-mental issues or aboriginal issues, or the area of medical inquiry, [covering topics like] neuro-ethics or neurology and addiction.” These rep-resent just a small selection of hybrid research degrees offered by universities across Canada, and enrolment in interdisciplinary programs have increased every year as more institutions and students recognize the value of this kind of comprehensive approach to higher education.

Perhaps the best way to summarize this trend in thinking is through the University of To-ronto’s stated mission for its new master’s of global affairs, one of several post-grad “collab-orative program” degrees they offer: “Today, to become global leaders, students need not only the core functional disciplines that professional schools offer, but also a deep understanding of the broader architecture of global society and the forces that shape it.” In other words, looking beyond the scope of a single program or even a single faculty is the key to success in an increas-ingly global economy.

Heather Kelly, director of student services at UofT’s school of graduate studies, describes the increasingly mainstream nature of “inter-disciplinarity,” and how it has become incorpo-rated into even the most traditionally structured of programs. She says, “Without disciplinarity there’s no interdisciplinarity.” The ability to tai-lor a post-graduate degree to individual needs and interests is garnering attention from inno-vative educators as well as students. Earlier this year, the Canadian government launched the Collaborative Research and Training Experi-ence (CREATE) Program. Designed to stimu-late “collaborative and integrative approaches,” as well as interdisciplinary research at the vari-ous intersections between the social and applied sciences, the $32 million investment is a sign of just how critical (and valuable) this approach to education can be.

Although the majority of students in these pro-grams are doctoral candidates, most are return-ing to their studies from backgrounds as diverse as the courses they choose. “We attract a fair number of international students,” says Goel-man, mentioning that some of UBC’s students have worked for organizations such as the World Bank and UNICEF. “They come back to school because their professional experience has led them to certain research questions.” Whether they’re freshly-minted undergraduates or work-ers who’ve had years in the field, these students share a vision of an integrated approach to studying and working — a vision that seems to be in line with the emerging shape of the global economy by providing grads with knowledge that, well, globally applicable.

degree in diverSityGrAduATe STudIeS dON’T HAve TO NArrOW yOur kNOWledGe INTO A SPeCIfIC fIeld, THey CAN AlSO eXPANd yOur uNderSTANdING ACrOSS A mulTITude Of dISCIPlINeS. By: Austin Bahadur



51


After graduation, during winter break, or in the summers between terms, Canadian students scatter across the Earth. But these aren’t stu-dents seeking the latest vacation opportunities, they are career-minded job seekers travelling to work at an internship abroad. They seek the benefits such work will bring them, the unique experiences available nowhere else, the new skills, the unexpected lessons, and the stand-out entries on their résumé.

SurvIvOr STudeNT: SeASON ONeNaomi (name altered on request) is one of those job seekers. A former medical student at McMaster University, she traveled to rural northern India with a group of physicians. As part of the work done by the Himalayan Health Exchange, she traveled between villages and refugee camps, providing medical care to people in remote regions. During that time, she slept in a sleeping bag on the bare earth, drank water that had to be boiled, and “Really missed having a bathroom.” But she wouldn’t have had it any other way. “I enjoy the idea of providing volunteer medical care for people at risk, anywhere.” For her, the work illuminated the path before her as a doctor.

“There was a 17-year-old boy suffering the ef-fects of meningitis and tuberculosis,” says Nao-mi. “He required more care than our medical team could provide. He was sent to the closest medical center seven hours away. The other doctors later said that cases such as his had deterred them from pediatrics. I realized then that cases such as his, doing whatever I can for people like him, are the very reason I’m com-pelled to do pediatrics.”

A GlObAl réSumé ANd THe bIG drAWThere are reasons besides spiritual and profes-sional revelation to seek work experiences like these. Tasleem Hudani, the Get Experience co-ordinator at the University of Toronto career centre notes some very practical benefits. “Any kind of international experience is very attrac-tive on a résumé. It stands out in showing an employer the flexibility to adapt to new envi-ronments.” Hudani adds that internships like these show an employer a student already has experience living abroad, which is a benefit for someone looking to work abroad later.

Hudani explains the other big draw of these in-ternships is (contrary to expectations) their ease on a student’s schedule compared to opportuni-ties at home. “Because they’re often short term, you can take part in one over the summer, or use it as a co-op during the year.” Hudani praises how often out-of-country internships work with a student’s schedule. “They’re often targeted to students over working professionals, and made more accessible.”

PrePArATIONThe biggest hurdles for students wanting to reap the benefits of an internship in the wider world are finding one in the first place, the prepara-tions to get there, and being ready for problems that might arise on the trip. Naomi found her internship through the McMaster student elec-tive database. “I was told about it during some voluntary career sessions I attended,” says Nao-mi. “They were advertised over the student fo-rums, where the electives were discussed.” She spent a fair bit of time searching the database for options that interested her, and backed that up by getting commentary from fellow students through her school forums.

“It was a lot of paperwork,” says Naomi. To join the Himalayan Health Exchange, she moved between local travel health clinics, wil-derness outfitting stores, and the Indian con-sulate to get her visa. “Finances were the big-gest barrier,” says Naomi, who paid the three thousand dollars in total expenses out of her bursary money.

Funding these trips can be an issue, but creative students can find a way. Ontario Student Assis-tance Program money can cover summer edu-cational experiences while a student is still en-rolled, and many universities have travel funds that provide support. Hudani stresses that kind of contact with a student’s college or university as a key element of preparation. Career center counsellors and coordinators are there to help.

It’s worth taking that care for students like Naomi. “It was a fantastic way to connect with the world around me, to put myself outside my comfort zone, and grow as a person.”

the wOrk-aBrOad allureAN INTerNSHIP AbrOAd CAN GIve yOu THe eXPerIeNCe TO eXCel IN yOur fIeld ANd THe bONA fIdeS TO mAke yOur CAreer. By: Mark Kay


NAOmI fOuNd ANd deCIded uPON Her WOrk-AbrOAd eXPerIeNCe THrOuGH TAlk-ING WITH fellOW STudeNTS IN PerSON ANd

THrOuGH fOrumS.

NAOmI deCIded TO JOIN THe HImAlAyAN HeAlTH eXCHANGe WHere SHe TrAvelled TO remOTe reGIONS TO PrOvIde medICAl

AId TO THOSe IN Need.

“fINANCeS Were THe bIGGeST bArrIer,” SAyS NAOmI, WHO PAId THe THree THOu-

SANd dOllArS IN TOTAl eXPeNSeS OuT Of Her burSAry mONey.

OSAP mONey CAN COver Summer eduCA-TIONAl eXPerIeNCeS WHIle yOu’re STIll eNrOled IN SCHOOl. SOme uNIverSITIeS AlSO HAve TrAvel fuNdS fOr mOre AId.


52


Social workers serve on the front lines of Canada’s social infrastructure, offering key services to people at risk. They require mental and emotional stamina to face the challenges of this demanding job. That’s why university degrees in social work give students the skills and the theoretical and practi-cal knowledge background necessary to grapple with these challenges. But knowing how far you should pursue an education in social work can be a problem in itself. How do you choose between an MA and a BA. And how do you make that choice when considering your career in social work?

It’s important to note that policies and programs differ from school to school in Canada. “At Ryerson, we offer a one-year master’s program to those who’ve completed a bachelor’s in social work,” says Judith Sandys, interim director of the school of social sork at Ryerson. When screening applicants for the program, there are some important factors that come into play. “We look for students who have demonstrated a high academic achievement in the bachelor’s program. Also, ideally, people with substantial social work ex-perience.”

Some universities don’t require a bachelor’s in social work to enter the master’s program. “A lot of people come from psychology, political sci-ence or women’s studies backgrounds, or even other professions, such as

narrOwing the fieldHOW CAN yOu APPly THe SPeCIAlIzATION IN A mAS-Ter’S IN SOCIAl WOrk? By: Kevin Nelson

law, nursing or teaching,” says Andrea Litvack, director of the Master’s of social work program at the University of Toronto. “The first year of our two-year master’s program is generic, introducing students to various sub-jects that are important. By the end of the first year, however, the playing field is pretty level. Those with a bachelor’s in social work enter the second year of the program.”

One of the differences between obtaining a master’s and a bachelor’s in social work is the amount of focus. “The bachelor’s is a generalist degree that prepares students to work in a variety of settings, while the master’s is characterized by particular areas of specialization,” says Sandys. “The master’s curriculum includes theories, policies, and practices relevant to a student’s major area of social work practice.”

This is also the case at the University of Toronto. “Our master’s offers a specialized understanding of social work,” says Litvack. “For example, if you choose to pursue a specialization in mental health, you’ll have a much better grasp of the issues, work, and research in that area.” It’s not all theory, however, as social work is one of the more applied areas of the social sciences. “At Ryerson, our master’s program includes 450 hours of field experience,” says Sandys.

theBeStOfedumacatiOn“IT’S ImPOrTANT TO HAve A CleAr uNderSTANdING Of WHAT SOCIAl WOrk IS, ANd WHy A STudeNT IS CHOOSING SOCIAl WOrk AS A CAreer, AS OPPOSed TO lAW, SOCIOlOGy Or ANOTHer relATed fIeld.”

Agent Smith put it best: humans, unlike other mammals, don’t live in equi-librium with the environment. That’s why we have sustainability — the study of how to restore harmony between Earth and humanity.

Sustainability blends environmentalism, economics, and sociology to con-front issues in conservation, industry, and prosperity. As land and resources run out, corporations, governments, and peoples need to find ways to cope. Some schools even offer whole degree programs in this field; Trent University offers a master’s in sustainability studies. Their curriculum looks at sustainable technology, policy, and the economic and social implications of sustainability. Western University also has a master’s in environment and sustainability. This program focuses on engineering, consulting projects, and examining the rela-tionship between a population and its ecosystem.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has a number of graduate pro-grams that deal with the different aspects of sustainability from forestry to mining. The university even provides an MBA for sustainability and business. Taking in about 24 students each year, this program examines responsibilities that business leaders have towards both the economy and the environment.

Dr. Eric Mazzi, an instructor at UBC’s clean energy research centre (CERC), explains that sustainability is important for more than energy

gO planetWITH THe CAPTAIN PlANeT SHOW NO lONGer AIrING, We Need A NeW TyPe Of PlANeTeer By: Andrew Williams

stocks: even if we don’t exhaust our resources, our activities can still have unpleasant effects on the environment, such as the atmosphere losing its capacity to assimilate chemicals.

Mazzi stresses that sustainability students should have respect for all disci-plines and all fields of study, whether it’s engineering or the social sciences. It’s important to appreciate and be willing to work with those in other fields. “[Politics] is certainly a critical area,” he points out. “The policies have a big role to play, perhaps a bigger role than specific technologies. A healthy respect for politics and public policy is essential.”

There are many careers available in sustainability. For engineering, stu-dents can look into energy management for schools and government, as well as consulting positions with industrial operations and alternative en-ergy. Co-op programs may have students work in consulting firms, pulp mills, or energy technology companies.

These programs aim to give students the training to enter the world and find solutions to environmental issues themselves, even the complex ones. “People have different attitudes and different priorities,” says Mazzi, “so we strive to help students appreciate the full spectrum of the challenge before us and give them practical tools to get started.”

“SuSTAINAbIlITy IS ImPOrTANT beCAuSe Our uSe Of eNerGy ANd OTHer reSOurCeS eXTrACTed frOm Our PlANeT IS AT A rATe THAT’S NOT (SuSTAINAble).”


53

pleaSepaSS thepaSSiOntO paraphraSe Jack lOndOn: dOn’t wait fOr paSSiOn tO find yOu, gO after it with a cluB

For some people, the word passion conjures up an “ick” feeling that I can understand. Let’s face it: passion isn’t something we asso-ciate with moderation or restraint.

Passion isn’t just about interests and the things that catch your attention. No, no, passion is a fire burning inside you. It’s unstoppable. It’s visceral. It’s all-consuming. You might not even be able to control it! Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

Or perhaps, it makes you kinda hot and un-comfortable.

pleaSe paSS the paSSiOnBut what if you have some moderate interests but you don’t have a passion? You might feel like you’re not in the club. Or you might wor-ry you won’t have a successful career, since there’s so much talk about how important it is to find your passion for a satisfying job/life.

“Finding your passion” does sound appealing. After all, it’s enjoyable (and easier) to do work you find interesting and rewarding. Some-times this comes about as a result of a passion connected to an occupation. However, not everyone has a passion that’s directly trans-ferrable to their career, even while you may enjoy your work or be successful in life.

find your passion. follow your heart. Chase your dreams. you’ll live happily ever after. you’ve grown up with that dream … but now what?

paSSiOn paralySiSThe encouragement to “not settle” and to “find your passion” seems like a wonderfully supportive sentiment. But it can sometimes manifest itself as huge pressure on you. Some-times, it can end up stalling or paralyzing you from taking valid career steps out of fear that you’re not choosing the “right” thing.

Whether or not you can articulate a passion, instead of waiting for the “perfect” thing to float by, try active exploration. Attempting new things, developing and practicing skills, and gaining a variety of (paid or unpaid) ex-periences, will help you investigate your inter-ests (or passion, if you have one). These expe-riences will also help you continue to develop your skills, opportunities, and new interests … which can sometimes lead to an as yet undis-covered passion!

Even if you can articulate a passion right now (and you’re not abnormal or alone if you can’t), it may not be the same passion that you have in 10 or 20 years. Interests evolve and change, so there’s lots of time for you to figure this out.

paSSiOn iS Only part Of the pictureI sometimes get fed up with the narrow “find your passion” quest because, for most people, passion will be only one of many ingredients to a successful career. Other important ingre-dients include income, geographical location, and work-life balance, just to mention a few.

You may think it’s necessary to sacrifice pas-sion for these other things, but these other ingredients are also very key to your career happiness. There’s nothing like having dinner every night with your formerly long-distance sweetie to make you appreciate prioritizing or balancing location with passion.

By: Christine Fader

pack paSSiOn fOr lunchWe often talk about passion as something we get from work. It feeds our soul or energizes us. But what about passion as something we bring to work? No matter what work you do — whether it’s related to your passion or not — you can bring your passion into it. Perhaps

your passion for baking doesn’t apply to your job as an office assistant, but your weekly brownie delivery to your colleagues allows you to indulge in your passion and share it with others. You can use your passion to find more enjoyment in your work.

paSSiOn in yOur pOcketI believe that if you have a passion, you’re already using it: a true passion is unavoid-able. It’s oozing out your pores, it’s often unconscious and you’re engaging in it all the time because it’s so essential to who you are. In which case, instead of suggesting that ev-eryone find their passion or follow their bliss, how about this method for a while?

StOp lOOking fOr yOur paSSiOn. StOp Seeking yOur BliSS. Instead, do what you do — whatever that happens to be at the time — with all your heart and your passion. Do that, and your “happily ever after” career will find you.

Christine Fader works as a career counsellor at Queen’s University and is the author of, Career Cupid: Your Guide to Landing and Loving Your Dream Job. Visit her website at: www.careercupid.com.

If yOu HAve A PASSION, yOu Are AlreAdy uSING IT: A True PASSION IS uNAvOIdAble”

PleASe PASS THe PASSION

54

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prepare early“I was living at home and didn’t have any debt,” says Michelle, 25, an MBA student at the Uni-versity of Toronto. “I knew school would be expensive, so I was saving as much as I could.”

It’s a good idea to think over your decision to attend grad school. Search all graduate fund-ing possibilities before applying, since applica-tion deadlines are often a year in advance of attendance. Also, consider working for a year or two to gain experience and stockpile money for tuition.

“For the two years I was working before gradu-ate school, I would challenge myself not to spend a dollar for a single day,” says Mi-chelle. She packed homemade lunches and used a travel cup to drink coffee on her daily commute between Mississauga and Toronto. “When I got really good at that, I’d try and go a whole week without spending money. I was really frugal.”

Search every cOuch cuShiOn fOr mOney Every penny you find is one less penny you have to pay back to the bank. There are an abundance of scholarships, grant programs,

and on-campus positions to ease the cost of at-tendance. Don’t assume that available funding is always advertised.

When Candace, 26, got accepted to the mas-ter’s program in epidemiology and biostatistics at McGill University, she chose the school over others that offered funding. With no informa-tion on available assistantships, she decided to email professors directly and inquire about research opportunities. That initiative earned Candance a $22,500 research job. The job was the reason she never had to touch the line of credit she took out.

lOOk at lOanS aS an inveStment intO yOur futureHowever daunting, loans are a necessity for the majority of graduate students. When shop-ping around for funds, pay attention to interest rates and repayment plans. Many banks offer competitive interest rates for graduate students while they attend school, and for a period after graduation.

“Money was a bit of a concern, but two things stuck out,” says Julia, 26, who just graduated with an MBA this year. “One, Rotman (the business school at the University of Toronto) has a guaranteed loan program with a few

banks, so it wasn’t like I had to fight for tuition money. Two, I was making so little before with a bachelor of arts in political science that my income could only go up.”

Like Julia, you should look at your loan as an investment. Even if your degree doesn’t help you make more money right away, it will help further down the line. The combination of an advanced degree and a few years of profes-sional experience should make you a winning candidate for high-profile positions. But you might need to live off of ramen noodles and Kraft Dinner for a few years first.

SeriOuSly, Stick tO a BudgetBudgeting can be especially difficult for stu-dents. There will always be temptations to go out with friends. And though you shouldn’t cut entertainment out of your life completely, it’s crucial to map out a realistic budget.

“I definitely calculated my bills every month and budgeted for entertainment, groceries, gas money, and tried to limit myself,” says Meghan, who received a master’s in interna-tional relations from the University of Wind-sor. “Instead of going out to eat a lot or going to the bar, we would go for a walk or do some-thing free.”

budGeTS, dISCOuNTS, ANd COuCH CuSHIONS. dON’T leT mONey SlIP THrOuGH yOur fINGerS.

By: Brandon Miller

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true internatiOnaliSmSt. George’s pioneered the concept of interna-tional medical education. Its faculty and students hail from over 140 countries, and the School of Medicine boasts a strong network of over 60 affili-ations with institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom. Future doctors at St. George’s are instilled with a diversity of medical perspectives from their teachers and cultural insights from their peers. Students have the opportunity to participate in medical selectives in Kenya, Prague, Thailand, Sweden, India, and Honduras to further round out their global experience.

innOvative academic prOgramSThe School offers a premedical program and a four-year medical program, leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree. Most students begin their ba-sic sciences study in Grenada, though the University offers an alternate first year in the Keith B. Taylor Global Scholars Program at Northumbria Univer-sity in the UK. All students complete their second year in Grenada before going on to clinical training at the University’s affiliated medical centers. Though global in nature, the clinical program at St. George’s is structured and cohesive – Directors of Medical Education at all of St. George’s hospitals work to the same learning objectives and examinations and hold regular meetings, culminating in annual clinical meetings in Grenada.

leaderS fOr the new wOrld Of medicineSt. George’s University School of Medicine – a renowned medical school on the small island of Grenada, West Indies – continues to be at the forefront of global medical education. The School prepares its graduates with broader and deeper skills, readying them for leadership roles in their chosen field. Almost 10,000 doctors who have gone on to practice in 45 countries around the world began their careers in global medicine at St. George’s University.

Founded in 1976, St. George’s University School of Medicine program has been accredited and/or approved by numerous external bodies. The School of Medicine was the first private school to be accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Health Professions and is an acknowledged academic leader in the Caribbean region.

dual degree OptiOnSThe University prepares students for career oppor-tunities in emerging areas of health care with ad-vanced stand-alone and dual degree options. The dual MD/MPH, MD/MSc, and MD/MBA de-grees are available to St. George’s medical students. Dual degree graduates are able to participate in a wide range of classes with practical exercises that hone many of the skills required to positively impact private practices, rural hospitals, health care sys-tems, and multifaceted large hospitals. All students are able to complete their clinical training in the University’s affiliated hospitals and clinical centers around the globe.

SuppOrt ServiceSThe University’s dedicated Department of Educa-tional Services teaches students how to learn and teachers how to teach. This unique and highly effec-tive department is the largest on campus, and is an important component of students’ and graduates’ success. Close to 100 percent of the University’s students, and many of the professors in all schools avail themselves of the support offered through a variety of innovative programs including time man-agement, note-taking skills, and utilizing technology effectively in teaching and learning.

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grenada campuSOver the last decade, more than $250 million US dollars have been spent to create a beautiful, state-of-the-art campus, rivaling some of the most presti-gious universities in the world. St. George’s campus includes 65 buildings spread out over 42 acres in a vibrant, tropical seaside location. Over 2,000 stu-dents live on campus and others live in the surround-ing neighborhoods, which are served by the Univer-sity-provided free bus transportation. The True Blue campus, as it’s called, provides all the amenities and technologically advanced facilities of a world-class institution, while offering beautiful scenery and ma-jestic views of the Caribbean Sea.

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WIRELESS LTEWe were first to launch the lightning-like speeds of LTE in Canada – the fastest wireless network technology on the planet. With LTE you can download a song or a photo in under a second.1 So buckle up; the fastest-ever mobile internet speeds are now here.

rogers.com/InternetExperiences

So what’s next? If you’re with Rogers, you’ll be the first to know.

Download speeds like you’ve never seen before.

Rogers LTE network available in select Canadian cities. Visit www.rogers.com/coverage for details.1 Times specifi ed are approximations only and will vary depending on size and quality of content. Copyright © 2012 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved. ©2012 Rogers Communications.

grad school planning guide (fall 2012)

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