You’ll never walk alone: Valuable resources for graduate students at McGill

One aspect of our graduate student life at McGill that truly stands out as exemplary to me is the sheer number of resources in place to buttress our burgeoning professional careers. I am amazed that, even as a senior PhD student, I am constantly finding out about organizations, workshops and tools that I did not know of the year before. We are blessed to have such an incredible framework of support at our university, and to have a wealth of information and support right at our fingertips. I’ve compiled a list of valuable resources for students who currently are or soon will be enrolled in a graduate program at McGill. In here is basic information I found out about when I first arrived, as well as information I found out about just last week! I hope that many of you will benefit from this information and will know where to turn when in need of more.

1. Graduate and post-doctoral studies: http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/

The starting point for any graduate student or post-doc new to McGill. As soon as you can, familiarize yourself with this website, as it houses essential information relevant for your academic path, from your first registration until graduation!

2. SKILLSETS: http://www.mcgill.ca/skillsets/

SKILLSETS is learning program jointly sponsored by GPS and Teaching and Learning Services. Its goal is to promote the learning of valuable skills for both professional and personal development. SKILLSETS offers hundreds of interdisciplinary workshops throughout the academic year (they are amazing and amazingly FREE!). The workshops cover a range of topics that fit several “professional development themes” central to our lives as PhDs and post-docs, such as: career development, communication skills, integrity and ethical conduct, critical and creative thinking, leadership, teaching competence, etc. Importantly, not all topics are academic and several workshops are tailored to general life skills and work-life balance.

You already get SKILLSETS emails delivered to your McGill inbox, so open them and have a look at their calendar .

Their website also shares a number of extra documents and resources.

3. Career Planning Service (CaPS): http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/

CaPS’ mission is to “assist students in their career development and search for permanent, part-time, and summer jobs, as well as internships, by providing workshops, individual advising, a comprehensive job posting service, and an extensive Career Resource Centre.”

CaPs also offers workshops.

Other services include:

CV and career advising drop-in hours: Graduate Drop-in sessions last for 30 minutes. Appointments are distributed at the CaPS office (Brown building, 2200) on a first come first serve basis as of 9 am on Mondays and Wednesdays. Drop-in times are: Monday 10-11.30; Wednesday 15-16.30; Friday 10-11.30.
MyFuture career tool: Here students could register for workshops, upload CVs /cover letters, sign up for interviews, etc.
Career fairs: Upcoming fair dates and tips on preparing for a career fair
On campus-jobs: Guide to finding an on-campus job (e.g. as a tutor or research assistant). Also check this pdf for more info:
Internships: http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/students/job/internship
The McGill Mentor program: http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/students/services/mentor
Ask an advisor: http://caps.mcgill.ca/askaquestion/
Extra documents and resources on their website (including a job search handbook, handouts from workshops and podcasts): http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/publications
Resources specific for Graduate School: http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/students/gradschool

4. Graphos and the McGill Writing Centre: http://www.mcgill.ca/graphos/home-page

Graphos is a new initiative of the McGill Writing Centre (in partnership with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Teaching and Learning Services) and offers help for perhaps THE most crucial aspect of our academic lives: WRITING!

Graphos offers:

Writing courses (1 credit)
Workshops on writing strategies (for different genres)
Peer writing groups where students meet and discuss their writing and offer each other feedback
Tutorial service

To register: http://www.mcgill.ca/mwc/tutorial-service/appointments#registration

In addition, check out MWC specialized courses.

5. PGSS Student Society: https://pgss.mcgill.ca/en/home

Here’s the thing: There’s more to PGSS than Thomson House! A lot of this information was news to me when I was compiling this list, so I am sure you can benefit from some of this as well.

Did you know that PGSS offers:

Student support
Communauto membership discounts
PGSS grants to fund your own events
Help with income taxes
Support for pregnant women or parents: McGill Student Parent Network on Facebook (email mcgillspn@gmail.com to be added)

For full list of services, check out: https://pgss.mcgill.ca/en/services

6. Health

Nothing – nothing – is more important than your mental and physical health. If you are not feeling well, how are you supposed to conquer the world? Please make it a priority throughout your graduate careers to be conscious of your well-being and to turn to these places and people if the going gets rough.

PGSS Health & Dental Plan: http://www.ihaveaplan.ca/
Health plan for international students: http://www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/health
McGill Student Health Services: http://www.mcgill.ca/studenthealth/
McGill Mental Health Services: http://www.mcgill.ca/mentalhealth/
McGill Counselling Services: http://www.mcgill.ca/counselling/
McGill Students with Disabilities: http://www.mcgill.ca/osd/
McGill Health Promotions – Ask Dr. T any health questions online: http://drttalks.ca/

7. Teaching and Learning Services: http://www.mcgill.ca/tls/

TLS is committed to teaching excellence, and to promoting effective teaching. They also have a series of workshops on fascinating topics, such as understanding discrimination, grading assignments, using social media tools in teaching, etc. See the calendar and register!

There are also a number of resources available for teachers on their website.

8. Academic Advising: http://www.mcgill.ca/students/advising/

Need some guidance? Browse their FaQs or ask a question of your own with the “Ask an Advisor Now!” option

9. Legal advice

McGill has its own legal clinic and while there are probably certain types of law they cannot advise you on, when in doubt, have a look whether they could help.

10. McGill Office of the Ombudsperson: http://www.mcgill.ca/ombudsperson/

The McGill Office of the Ombudsperson is there for you if ever you need to resolve serious disputes. The Office offers “confidential, informal, independent, and impartial dispute resolution services … by providing information, advice, intervention and referrals”.

Remember, though, that there is a proper channel to go through and strategies you must try first before resorting to the Office of the Ombudsperson. For information on resolving disputes and what to do, check here.

When all else fails and you need to reach the Ombudsperson, this is where and how you reach him: http://www.mcgill.ca/ombudsperson/contact

11. Support for International Students

In my department, I am one of the only local Montrealers, and even other fellow Canadians are largely outnumbered by international students from around the world. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know the challenges that international students face when they begin a new graduate program in a new country.

Although many (if not all) the links in this post are useful to international students as well, here are some extra support systems just for you!

12. Support for post-docs

Post-docs, rest assured! Many of the resources apply to you as well, and here is another good place to start.

There is also an Association of Postdoctoral Fellows (APF) you may want to get involved with. They organize events and work hard to share information and expertise, so do contact them (or follow them on Twitter and Facebook!)

13. McGill computer store: http://mcs.mcgill.ca/

Something I did not know when I started was that McGill offers discounts for some computer purchases (check out their “featured brands”) and computer software licenses (even for personal use, such as Photoshop or Dreamweaver) for as long as you are a registered student.

14. McGill Classifieds: http://www.mcgill.ca/classified/

To buy or sell something, to find research assistants or to participate in research studies for some extra cash (and of course to advance scientific knowledge), it is always worth checking the McGill classifieds.

15. Off-campus housing office: http://www.mcgill.ca/students/housing/offcampus

Check the website for apartment listings, roommate tips, and legal information.