Canadian Graduate Education in the News

Canadian graduate education has been all over the news lately. A number of recent articles have stirred the pot, so to speak, on a number of debates going on in the higher education arena, particularly with regards to times to completion and the poor job market new Ph.D.'s are currently facing. At Queen's, the dean of the School of Graduate Studies responded to a column expressing concern over a new policy that aimes to lower graduate student times to completion. Meanwhile, Speculative Diction blogger Melonie Fullick revisits the job crisis and the purpose of doctoral education in a Globe and Mail article

Graduate Student Professional Development

A new report has recently been released by the Canadian Association of Graduate Students (CAGS). Drawing on findings from earlier reports and studies, as well as survey that was administered to graduate deans across the country, the report highlights the increasing importance of prioritizing professional skills training for graduate students that goes beyond discipline-specific knowledge.

Advice for Grad Students

Today's Career Advice column at Inside Higher Ed offers the following recommendations to graduate students:

1. Always prepare for the worst.

2. Nobody cares about you.

3. You must know why your work is important.

4. Psychological problems are the biggest barrier.

5. Avoid taking lectures. They're usually inefficient.

6. Manage your advisors.