Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

Portrait of Gabriella Salvadore

Laura Dawson

Some words of advice...

Talk to your professors and TAs! They are there to help you and I wish I reached out to them sooner in my undergrad.

Portrait of graduate student Valencia Gaspard (PhD, Rural Studies) in the atrium of the Albert A. Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph

Valencia Gaspard

About Being a Grad Student at U of G… 

Being a graduate student at U of G means being part of a commitment to improve life.

Portrait of graduate student Sidra Sarfaraz (MSc, Human Health & Nutrtional Sciences) in theScience Atrium at the University of Guelph

Sidra Sarfaraz

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

We have AMAZING faculty for cardiovascular research, as well as nutrition, exercise and food science. If you're trying to choose universities and advisors, come drop by Guelph- chat to the professors, other lab members, our support staff. You'll see the difference yourself and be able to make an informed decision!

Christie Brodie MCL, Master of Conservation Leadership at Guelph

Christie Brodie

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

I have always followed my gut and trusted my instincts. I truly believe I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I have had if I didn’t trust that what was meant to happen, would happen at the right time for me. From the short internship that has become a career, to waiting for this program to exist to pursue my masters – timing is everything.

Portrait of graduate student Kiran Bains

Kiran Bains

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Grad school opens doors! SO many doors were opened up for me just in the last two years of my degree.
Make sure you choose an adviser who is well-known in the industry because they will help you grow quickly in the field. I saw my adviser as a professional mentor and I'm able to go to her with questions about the industry. She has given me so much insight into the future of our professional field which has helped shape my future career goals. Take advantage of all the mentorship opportunities that you can. Grad school is the BEST place for that! Finding mentors when you're not a student is hard. Being a student is a great excuse to find mentors who will be so strategically useful to you, if you take advantage of your time here!

Portrait of Dr. Yazmin Osornio Maganaz

Yazmin Osornio Maganaz

Advice for a prospective grad student or someone who would like to follow in your footsteps...

My biggest advice is to follow what truly excites you. My passion for equine reproduction started as a vet student, and every challenge and success since then has only made me more certain of my path. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them — that’s where the growth happens. Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you, and remember why you started. There will be tough days, but if you love what you’re doing, it will all be worth it. 

Portrait of graduate student Carrie McMullen

Carrie McMullen

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Sometimes as an undergrad it's easy to stay 'behind the scenes' and just go to classes and complete what's required of you. But grad school has SO much to offer, and there are opportunities to gain new experiences around every corner that contribute to both personal growth and look great on a CV. I think getting involved is so important, and creating new relationships with faculty/other students is key.

Safia Mahabub Sauty

Safia Mahabub Sauty

Some words of advice...

Get involved in the community. Grad school is more than your research project; expand your contributions beyond your field of research and into the community where you are working.

Portrait of graduate student Joshua Salamun

Joshua Salamun

Advice for Prospective Students...

The faculty profiles page, on the Food Science Department website, is very useful to help find research projects that you may be interested in. Do not hesitate to email or talk directly to the faculty members. They are always welcoming, and can even help you apply for scholarship funding!