Grad Pathways Skills Development Conference | Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

The Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies will be closed from December 16 to 20. In-person services will be available only by appointment. We will continue to be available online. To book an appointment please refer to our Contact Us directory.

Document submissions: please use the drop-box located outside our office.

Grad Pathways Skills Development Conference

Grad Pathways hosted a two-day Skills Development Conference on March 23rd and 24th 2021. The conference provided an opportunity for graduate students and postdocs to explore and better understand how the skills acquired through graduate school can be transferred to careers both inside and outside academia post-graduation.

Links to videos of most conference sessions are provided below. You can also access all the videos in the Stream Group. You must be logged into the UofG to view the videos in Stream.

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We hope you find these videos useful. Comments and suggestions for future conference sessions can be sent to gradpath@uoguelph.ca

 

Ben Bradshaw and Teresa Crease

Conference Opening

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Speakers: Dr. Teresa Crease, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies; Dr. Ben Bradshaw, Assistant Vice-President, Graduate Studies; Sarah Joosee, Wellness@Work Coordinator, Human Resources.

Dr. Crease and Dr. Bradshaw welcomed everyone to the conference. Ms. Joosee led everyone in a short meditation exercise to start the conference.

Ivan Wanis Ruiz

Connecting with your WHY

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Speaker: Ivan Wanis Ruiz
Moderator: Kate Cooper

The keynote speaker and communication expert Ivan Wanis Ruiz discussed how to define your why and how to captivate an audience and tell your unique story.

graduate student speakers

Graduate Student Presentations

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Speakers: Anita Luu, Waed Hasan, David Said, Louis Colaruotolo, Sharon Wang, Tanja Samardzic
Moderators: Travis Francis, Teresa Crease

Six PhD students described their experience with one aspect of skill development during their graduate program.

Nita Chhinzer

Employment Tools

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Speaker: Dr. Nita Chhinzer, Faculty, Management.
Moderator: Kate Cooper

This workshop took you behind the scenes of various recruitment and selection tools and discussed practical tips and tricks to maximize your job search outcomes and address your pressing questions about job searching in our new reality.

Shannon Rushe and Jason Dodd

Collaboration and Conflict

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Speakers: Shannon Rushe, Learning Specialist, Library Learning Services; Jason Dodd, Science Learning Specialist, Library Learning Services
Moderator: Shannon Rushe

The connection between collaboration and conflict was explored in the session. The different types of conflict were introduced and strategies were presented to mitigate these conflicts in academic and industry settings. Strategies for giving and receiving helpful feedback were also discussed.

Carlea Blight

Videos for professional development

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Speaker: Carlea Blight, Digital Media Studio, Library
Moderator: Emmanuelle Arnaud

This workshop provided the foundational skills for creating a video in Canva that is entertaining, engaging, and well designed. Learn more with the guide, Create a Digital Design with Canva

network of job seekers

Networking and Informational Interviews

Speakers: Kris Gies, Career Advisor for OVC;
Kate Puddister, Faculty, Political Science
Moderator: Emmanuelle Arnaud

This session examined the nature of networking, why it is important, and key best practices to help you get started in building this important skill. Visit the Courselink Resource, Career Advising from the Experiential Learning Hub to learn more. You can self-register for this resource on Courselink.

Principles of Belonging: creating a culture of inclusion at the University of Guelph

How to Build Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Competencies

Speaker: Joseph Pazzano, Training, Education and Inclusion Officer, Diversity and Human Rights
Moderator: Teresa Crease

This session engaged with anti-oppression frameworks and suggested ways for graduate students to apply an equity and inclusion lens, and explored equity and inclusion broadly. Discussions were prompted about individual, cultural, and systemic anti-oppressive action. Visit the Courselink Resource, Principles of Belonging: Creating a culture of inclusion at the University of Guelph to learn more. You can self-register for this resource on Courselink.