During WIL

Information Systems & Technology

Information Systems & Technology (IST) offers graduate students access to the IT Professional Development (ITPD) program, which provides training in technical and computing skills through instructor-led workshops. Among the program’s offerings are four project management workshops:

• Introduction to project management: This introductory workshop covers the fundamentals of project management, including its purpose, importance, and basic tools. Engaging in hands-on activities makes this session practical for those new to project management.
• Creating a project charter: Focused on project initiation, this workshop guides participants in developing a project charter. Attendees will bring a project idea to work on and explore the project kickoff process.
• Project risk management: This session teaches risk management within the context of the University. Participants will learn risk management steps and explore related University policies and institutional risks.
• Project planning: This online workshop introduces project scheduling based on a project charter, covering the basics of project planning, tools, and techniques.

For a full schedule of upcoming courses, registration information, and course handouts, view the ITPD Course Brochure.

Student Success Office

The Student Success Office (SSO) offers academic and personal development services to all students. Here are some valuable time management resources:

• Time management micro-course: This micro-course helps you stop procrastinating and avoid last-minute cramming for assignments and exams. Learn to replace old habits with effective strategies and discover how to create a balanced schedule that allows time for everything you need to succeed.
• Quick tips on time management: Explore a range of practical time management tips and worksheets that will help you improve productivity and manage your time more effectively.

Mitacs

Mitacs offers a series of training courses that include both self-paced modules and live virtual sessions. Upon completion, you will earn an official Mitacs certificate. The following courses are particularly relevant for graduate students:

• Project and time management (self-paced e-learning): This course introduces essential time and project management techniques to help boost productivity and reduce stress. Learn to prioritize tasks, manage emails, and schedule effectively, with strategies for both in-person and remote work. An optional facilitated session is available after completing the self-paced module.
• Project and time management (facilitated workshop): This online, interactive workshop offers hands-on practice with project management tools. Participants will focus on project updates, reports, and planning to enhance team alignment and efficiency. Key learning areas include time management, stress management, Waterfall and Agile project management, and the completion of a project charter and plan.

To access Mitacs online courses, you will need to create an account on EDGE, the Mitacs online learning management system. To get started: 

Visit the Mitacs EDGE login page.

1. Create a new account (previous Mitacs login credentials will not work).
2. Confirm your account by clicking the link in the verification email, which will take you back to the login page.
3. Sign in and select "General Learner" from the Learner Affiliation drop-down list.
4. Complete your registration by filling out the personal information page.

Wherever you are in your applied research experience, it’s important to check in with yourself and (re)evaluate where you’re at and what is needed to continue in the direction you find to be best for your experience. Below are some reflective prompts that you can return to at any time during your applied research experience to ensure you are on track with your goals or if there are any adjustments you need to make:

• What overarching goals and expectations did you have at the beginning of this experience, and are you meeting those goals and finding the experience aligning with those expectations?
  • How is your research so far translatable and relevant to a non-academic audience when communicating with them?
  • What have been the applications and possible tangible impacts thus far of your research in this real-world context?
  • Have you begun reaching your intended audience to share your learnings from this research? If so, what have their takeaways been and how have their reactions informed your work?
  • Are there any action items you need to pursue to keep the project on track with your intended goals? Do some goals need to be shifted, and how so if they do?
• How have your interactions with stakeholders and collaborators shaped and contributed to your applied research thus far?
  • What type of feedback have you been receiving from the employer, and how has this feedback informed your applied research?
• At this moment in your applied research, what processes and/or methodologies have you engaged with?
  • What have you observed and learned from the processes and methodologies being applied?
  • If applicable, how did these processes/methodologies contribute to the findings or progress in your research?
• What types of skills and knowledge are you developing (or would like to start developing) through your applied research opportunity?
  • To support you in identifying what skills and knowledge you are developing, you can use the future ready talent framework goal-setting chart.
    • Note: the FRTF chart is not to be filled out entirely; rather, choose which competencies are relevant to your applied research project
• How is your applied research experience working towards the anticipated outcomes you set at the beginning stage of your research? What may be required to support you in achieving those intended impacts or outcomes?
• How do you see the experience contributing to your career plans thus far? What is needed to further work towards making the experience more meaningful for your career?

Writing and Communication Centre

The Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) supports graduate students in developing as writers and communicators. Expertly designed by WCC staff, their workshops focus on essential principles of communication, encouraging reflection on your role as a communicator while building practical skills. WCC also offers a range of online resources on genres and modes of communication and features four specialized science communication workshops:

• Introduction to STEM writing: This workshop explores the fundamentals of STEM writing, focusing on audience, context, and purpose. It covers the structure of lab reports and effective strategies for integrating quantitative data to support findings. This workshop is applicable for students new to lab reports or preparing for research-based writing.
• Writing with quantitative data: Learn how to effectively incorporate quantitative data into your writing to create a cohesive narrative.
• Principles of clarity in scientific writing: Master clear and concise scientific writing. This workshop teaches skills for eliminating common errors to enhance readability and precision, with hands-on examples.
• Science communication workshop series: This series introduces the essentials of communicating technical information to non-expert audiences, covering purpose, audience, and context. Participants will learn how to effectively engage in science communication.

Find these workshops on LEARN by self-registering for the course, “WCC Workshops.”

Mitacs

Mitacs offers a series of training courses on topics relevant to graduate students. Each course bundle includes a self-paced, asynchronous module and a live virtual session. Successfully completing both components awards you an official Mitacs certificate for the course. Included in these offerings are self-paced courses and facilitated workshops centered on enhancing communication skills:

• Enhance your communication skills (self-paced e-learning): This asynchronous course focuses on developing effective communication skills, particularly in the private sector. You will explore core communication elements to shape project messaging, engage audiences, gain support, and secure partnerships and funding.
  • Key outcomes include identifying key communication elements and their impact on credibility, tailoring content to specific audiences and purposes, summarizing key points and explaining complex concepts clearly, understanding communication expectations in research versus private sector contexts, and developing a comprehensive communication plan, including a unique value proposition.
  • Upon completion, you are invited to self-enroll in a facilitated session.
• Refined project communication plan (facilitated workshop): In this online workshop, you will learn to create an effective communication plan, essential for sharing your value proposition and aligning teams. Through hands-on activities, you will build your plan and collaborate with peers to evaluate and present findings.
  • Objectives include recognizing key communication components and their impact on credibility, tailoring content for specific audiences, summarizing key points and clarifying complex concepts, differentiating between communication expectations in research and industry, and creating a communication plan for your project.

To access Mitacs online courses, you will need to create an account on EDGE, the Mitacs online learning management system. To get started: 

1. Visit the Mitacs EDGE login page.
2. Create a new account (previous Mitacs login credentials will not work).
3. Confirm your account by clicking the link in the verification email, which will take you back to the login page.
4. Sign in and select "General Learner" from the Learner Affiliation drop-down list.
5. Complete your registration by filling out the personal information page.

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) offers a workshop titled "Grad Student Self-Advocacy: Navigating Challenges with Confidence." This engaging session is designed to help graduate students effectively communicate their needs in various challenging situations throughout their academic journey. Key features of the workshop include:

• Strategies for self-advocacy: Learn how to articulate your priorities and rights when interacting with faculty, peers, supervisors, and the broader academic community.
• Real-life insights: The workshop is led by two former graduate students who will share their personal experiences and best practices for handling difficult situations.
• Confidence building: The goal is to equip you with the skills to navigate challenges with confidence and assertiveness.

For the complete schedule of events and workshop dates, as well as registration information, please visit the Current Graduate Student Events page.

Conflict Management Office

The Conflict Management Office (CMO) is a valuable resource for all members of the University community, offering confidential consultations, support, and resources related to conflict management and human rights. Key services provided by the CMO include:

• Conflict support and advice: Assistance for graduate students dealing with conflicts.
• Conflict coaching: One-on-one coaching to help manage and resolve conflicts.
• Mediation services: Facilitating mediation between graduate students and supervisors to resolve disputes.
• Understanding your rights: Guidance on understanding your rights and how they apply to specific situations.
• Human rights issues: Information on available options for addressing human rights concerns.

Formal and informal responses: Guidance on how to respond informally or formally to human rights issues.

It’s important to note that speaking with the Conflict Management Office does not automatically trigger an official complaint or formal policy process. Depending on your situation, you may also want to review Policy 33 – Ethical Behaviour and discuss with the Conflict Management Office how this policy may apply to your case.

Centre for Career Development

The Centre for Career Development (CCD) offers a range of services for graduate students centered on networking during a WIL experience and goal setting for a WIL experience. You may wish to explore the following resources: 

• Get one-on-one support
• Browse the safety and your rights at work section of CareerHub