Explore workshops with the My GradSkills Matrix

Learn about My GradSkills-endorsed workshops and when you should consider taking them.

How does the Matrix work?

Workshop classifications

The Matrix is a tool that sorts My GradSkills-endorsed workshops into four key areas of transferable skills. Use the Matrix to find and plan workshops that will help you develop skills in these key areas. Understanding your skills in these key areas will be helpful when you start your career search.

Workshop timing

The My GradSkills Matrix also categorizes workshops as early, mid and late to help you decide when in your program a workshop may be most useful for you. See below for lists of early, mid and late workshops.

Key transferable skill areas

Expert

The primary reason for taking a grad degree: becoming an expert in your field. 

Key skills:

• Reference management
• Research writing
• Lab management
• Lab safety
• Thesis writing
• Supervisory relationships

Communicator

Communicating is a key skill, in academics and in industry.

Key skills:

• Writing
• Speaking
• Teaching, sharing and translating knowledge

Leader

Be confident in your skills and guide and inspire others.

Key skills:

• Personal effectiveness
• Networking
• Career awareness
• Career searching

Innovator

Discover new ways of doing things and be a change-maker.

Key skills:

• Entrepreneurial thinking
• Problem solving
• Business skills

My GradSkills Workshop Matrix

Worskhops are offered by several groups across campus. Workshops are generally offered at least once per academic year, or are available by request or online at your own convenience. Contact My GradSkills to learn more about workshops and scheduling. 

  1. Workshops to explore early in your program

    Environmental Health and Safety:

    • Biosafety (Program / Biohazard Handling / Bloodborne Pathogens)

    Faculty of Graduate Studies:

    • Scholarship workshops
    • Let's talk: supervisors

    Student Success Centre:

    • Writing at the Graduate Level Series
    • Staying Motivated and Managing Your Time

    Taylor Family Digital Library:

    • Managing your references with EndNote OR Mendeley
    • Copyright and Open Access
    • Effective Research for your Literature Review
    • Research Data Management

    Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning:

    • Teaching with Technology
    • Writing Learning Outcomes
    • Where does my course fit? Understanding Curriculum
    • Grading Strategies to Assess Student Learning

  2. Workshops to explore midway through your program

    Taylor Family Digital Library:

    • Copyright: What You Need to Know For Your Thesis and Teaching
    • Keeping Current with Your Research: Using Alerting Services
    • Understanding Systematic Reviews
    • Searching MEDLINE Systematically

    Tip: Make an appointment with a career advisor

  3. Workshops to explore late in your program

    Wellness Centre:

    • Preparing to Defend Your Thesis: Managing Your Anxiety

    Tip: Attend a writing bootcamp at the Student Success Centre

  1. Workshops to explore early in your program

    Mitacs Canada:

    • Skills of Communication

    My GradSkills:

    • Effective Presentation Skills: Vocal Presence

    Taylor Family Digital Library:

    • Teaching Assistant Orientation
    • Introduction to Effective Communication for International Teaching Assistants
    • Using Learning Spaces for Collaboration
    • Formative Feedback for Teaching Development
    • Creating Your Teaching Dossier
    • Facilitating Active Learning
    Tip: Register for the Graduate Student Certificate in University Teaching and Learning

  2. Workshops to explore midway through your program

    My GradSkills: 

    • All you need to know about the Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
    • 3MT: Research Communication Skills
    • 3MT: Framing Your Presentation - How to Create a Memorable 3MT Slide

    Taylor Family Digital Library:

    • Visualization - Using Tableau
    • Visualization - Using Visual Variables
    • Visualization - Tableau Advanced

    Wellness Centre:

    • Managing Presentation Anxiety
    Tip: Consider entering the Three Minute Thesis competition

  3. Workshops to explore late in your program

    Career Services:

    • Resumes and Cover Letters for Non-Academic Careers
    • Your Social Media Brand: LinkedIn, Twitter and Beyond
    • The Academic Track: Job Search and Professional Documents
    Tip: Enter the Three Minute Thesis competition

  1. Workshops to explore early in your program

    Career Services:

    • Your “Top 5” Talent Themes: A Roadmap to Personal Success
    • Taking the Wheel: Making the Most of Graduate Career Development
    • Strength Stories: How to Explore, Maximize and Communicate Your Top 5 Strengths
    • Building Career Resilience in a Constantly Evolving World
    • Researching and Refining Your Career Options

    Mitacs Canada:

    • Time Management
    • Foundations of Project Management 1

    Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning:

    • What Makes a Great TA?
    Tip: Register for the Graduate Student Career Management Program

  2. Workshops to explore midway through your program

    Career Services:

    • Unwritten Rules: Understanding Business Culture and Career Transitions
    • The World Outside of Graduate School: Job Search Strategies for Non-Academic Careers

    Mitacs Canada:

    • Networking Skills
    • Foundations of Project Management 2

  3. Workshops to explore late in your program

    Career Services:

    • Interview Strategies for Academic Careers
    • Interview 101: Strategies and Best Practices for Hiring Situations
    • Professional Networking Skills for Graduate Students
    Tip: Consider doing a Transformative Talent Internship

  1. Workshops to explore early in you program

    Taylor Family Digital Library:

    • Understanding My Intellectual Property Rights

    Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning:

    • Introduction to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) for Graduate Students

    Tip: Consider doing an entrepreneurial thesis

  2. Workshops to explore midway through your program

    Mitacs Canada:

    • Discovering the Entrepreneur Within

    Taylor Family Digital Library:

    • Owning Your Research Output

    Tip: Explore entrepreneurial training and supports for graduate students

  3. Workshops to explore late in your program

    Taylor Institute:

    • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Foundations Program for Graduate Students - TI

    Tip: Explore entrepreneurship in ENTI 781/785 and Summer Inc.

Outside Career Services

My GradSkills partners

Learn more about organizations across the university offering workshops for grad students.

Learn more