For many graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, the idea of networking is a scary thought, bringing with it connotations of schmoozing, kissing babies, and handing out business cards with a wink and a smile. In fact, networking is an easy-to-master and valuable skill that, if put into play early in one’s training, can reap huge rewards when it comes time to finding employment. In this interactive workshop, trainees will learn what networking really entails, the returns it can generate, and how to leverage the power of the networks they already have. Practical tips for creating new networks will also be covered, including finding and attending networking events, the use of online tools, and the art of writing letters of introduction.

Facilitator: Dr. Jennifer Gardy has been working with Mitacs Step since the inception of the program in 2008. Dr. Gardy leads BCCDC’s Genome Research Laboratory and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia. She obtained her BSc in Cell Biology & Genetics from UBC in 2000 and completed her PhD at Simon Fraser University in 2006. She completed three years of postdoctoral training in the R.E.W. Hancock laboratory at UBC, using systems biology techniques to study the mammalian innate immune response and working on visualization tools to facilitate scientists’ exploration of biological network data. Dr. Gardy joined BCCDC in 2009, where she works in the emerging field of genomic epidemiology, combining whole genome sequencing with both new and old epidemiological techniques to understand the origins, evolution, and transmission dynamics of outbreak organisms, including tuberculosis and influenza. She also leads BCCDC’s Research Development Unit and is a member of several Research Advisory Councils, including the Womens’ Health Research Institute, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and the Provincial Health Services Authority. She is also a passionate science communicator involved in a number of science media projects, including regular appearances on CBC Television’s documentary series The Nature of Things.

For information on upcoming Graduate Pathways to Success Events, please visit: www.grad.ubc.ca/pathways

NOTE: Due to the large # of statistical software available, this session will not be about any specific software but, rather, the methodology behind the software.

Topic: This is a general introduction to the important role statistics play in the planning stage of a research project. We will discuss both observational studies and controlled experiments, including the study population, the scientific question, sampling and randomization. We will focus on the experimental design, the effects of confounding, computing sample size and power.

About SCARL: The Statistical Consulting and Research Laboratory (SCARL) in the UBC Department of Statistics provides assistance in the statistical formulation of research questions, the design of experiments and sampling plans for surveys, the choice and explanation of statistical methodology, statistical computing and graphics, statistical analysis, the interpretation of findings, and more. SCARL also plays a role in continuing education on and off the UBC campus, giving seminars and workshops on statistical concepts and methodology to various departments and research groups and at teaching hospitals.

Presenter: Rick White has worked for the Statistical Consulting and Research Laboratory (SCARL) in the UBC Department of Statistics for over 20 years. For the last 8 years he has been the Managing Director of SCARL. Rick has consulted on many projects that cover a wide variety of statistically related issues, including experimental design, graphical displays of data, statistical modelling and data analysis. Through his consulting he has co-authored over 40 peer reviewed papers primarily in biostatistics and the “omics”. His group is available to consult on an individual level with UBC researchers who need help with the statistical elements of their research.

Refreshments: Beverages will be provided. Please bring your own mug.

For information on upcoming Graduate Pathways to Success Events, please visit: www.grad.ubc.ca/pathways

This workshop will offer information to graduate students on how to:

• Efficiently structure the thesis or dissertation process for timely completion,
• Manage the emotional roller coaster, and
• Find support when your motivation ebbs.

Led by Dr. Dwight Moore, Industrial Psychologist and coach to corporate executives, you will learn the principles of “self-leadership” to decrease the time it takes to complete your dissertation and increase your enjoyment of the process.

Instructor:  Dr. Dwight Moore received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1984 and is licensed to practice psychology in British Columbia and the State of Washington.  Starting as a Marketing Director for a ski area, he completed his master’s degree and served as the Associate Dean of Students in a small university in Ohio for four years. Then he worked for Wiley and Associates doing executive assessments and coaching for the General Mills Corporation. From 1985-1992 he functioned as an Industrial Psychologist, assessing and coaching executives in Minnesota and British Columbia. Since 1992 he has been the President of his own firm specializing in coaching, assessment, and organizational development.

Refreshments: Light lunch and beverages will be provided.  Please bring your own mug.

For information on upcoming Graduate Pathways to Success events, please visit: www.grad.ubc.ca/pathways

Workshop Objectives

Expand your knowledge of the necessary editorial, grammatical and structural conventions to create quality, impactful writing.

Learning Outcomes

You will learn to:

• Analyze your audience and tailor your writing to them
• Identify the components of a technical report
• Make effective use of writing and editing techniques
• Use graphics effectively

Key Topics

The Writing Process

• Audience analysis
• Purpose, tone and genres
• Document organization
• Using standard forms (i.e., theses, journal papers, poster presentations)
• Persuasive, informative writing techniques
• Components of technical reports (i.e., abstract, introduction, results, conclusion)
• Staying motivated and dealing with procrastination

Grammar and Editing

• Principles of punctuation
• Ordering sentences and ideas
• Sentence clarity (i.e., avoiding general language, vague subjects, noun strings and prepositional phrases)
• Constructing concise sentences (i.e., descriptive verbs, avoiding empty sentence openers)
• Creating connections (i.e., paragraph structure, sentence transitions)

Visuals

• Types of graphs
• Incorporating graphs in text
• Colour and layout

Facilitator: Michael Sjoerdsma has taught in the School of Engineering Science at SFU since September 2003. He teaches a number of courses encompassing various aspects of technical communication. Because of his technical training as an engineer, Michael has firsthand knowledge of the requirements needed for effectively communicating technical material. Michael has taught technical writing for the Management Skills and Advanced Technology program. He also provides writing and editing services for graduate students, professors, and private companies. Michael is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and several other professional associations.

Refreshments: Beverages and light lunch will be provided. Please bring your own mug.

Information about upcoming Graduate Pathways to Success events can be found at: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/pathways

To expose participants to the benefits and trials of building a business while building awareness of the current Canadian entrepreneurial landscape and the resources available to entrepreneurs. The aim of the workshop is to broaden awareness of the entrepreneurial world to build confidence and expand a sense of possibility.

Learning Outcomes

Through participating and completing this workshop, participants will:

• Have a broadened understanding of the elements that make a successful business and an unsuccessful business
• Gain a greater sense of what it take to be an entrepreneur
• Gain personal insight into taking the entrepreneurial routs
• Understand different types of businesses
• Build awareness on different sources of financing
• Gain in-depth exposure to business planning
• Understand and have practiced creating and presenting the elements of a successful pitch

Key Topic Areas:

What makes a good entrepreneur?

• Self-assessment
• Entrepreneurial attributes
• Obstacles
• Risk tolerance
• Common pitfalls
• Changing face of entrepreneurialism

Entrepreneurial Landscape

• Current trends
• Definitions and resources

Know your company: structure your idea

• Entrepreneurial teams
• Market analysis
• Product vs. services
• Types of legal business entities
• Types of Funding
• Plan your idea
  • Financial/People/Legal, accounting, admin

Make a plan

• Plan your company
• Creating a business plan

Selling your idea

• Successful pitches to potential investors

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify key strategies to build effective relationships with supervisors
• Consider factors that potentially contribute to trust and reciprocity in relationships with supervisors
• Focus on making timely progress through your program and meeting milestones
• Consider factors that can disrupt effective supervisory relationships
• Appreciate the importance of clear boundaries in supervisory relationships
• Problem-solve ways to manage conflict
• Find sources of assistance in the event of intractable conflict.

Presenters: Dr. Theresa Rogers is an Associate Dean, Program and Faculty Development, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Theresa has a background in Education and has been successfully supervising graduate students for over 20 years.

Dr. Brianne Howard is the Director, Academic Support, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.  Brianne brings a wealth of experience in dealing with complex situations that arise in graduate studies and acts as a liaison between graduate students, faculty members and programs.  Brianne comes from a cultural studies background and with a focus on issues of accessibility and removing barriers to success.

Lisa Brunner is an International Student Advisor with UBC’s International Student Development. Previously, Lisa taught International Teaching Assistant seminars at Simon Fraser University; coordinated research projects on refugee resettlement with Immigrant Services Society of BC; developed cultural orientation training materials for newcomers in Canada and the United States; and taught academic English at Bilkent University, Turkey.

Refreshments: Beverages will be provided.  Please bring your own mug.

For information about upcoming Graduate Pathways to Success events, visit: www.grad.ubc.ca/pathways