Welcome
Following program completion, many graduate students will seek out employment opportunities inside and outside of academia. The Faculty of Science’s Graduate Student Career Services offers a range of career development supports to graduate students to help them utilize their skills towards an employment goal. We are committed to ensuring that graduate students are supported in finding meaningful career pathways and obtaining the skills that they need for a future career.
What Can Science Graduate Career Services Do For Me?
We offer many different supports tailored to fit individual student needs, such as opportunities for
- resume and cover letter writing
- mock interviews
- job searching skills
- learning about non-academic career pathways
- development of important employability skills such as personal branding, networking, and workplace communication
Need assistance with something not listed here? Don’t hesitate to ask. We’re happy to provide any kind of career-related support.
Current & Upcoming Programming
We are excited to bring you new and informative programming each term. Below is our programming for the Spring/Summer 2023 term. Check this space often for updated programming and registration links. Registration is open to all science graduate students, regardless of their program.
Information Box Group
Summer Career Panels Series: Careers in the Biology Field Register
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Online via Zoom)
Join us for the first installment in our Summer Career Pathways series featuring a panel with three working professionals with biology, chemistry, and life science backgrounds. Each of these professionals will share their journey and the path they took towards their current careers. After discussing their career pathways, the session will open up for questions from students.
Please note this is an online event and Zoom details will be provided to attendees prior to the session
Summer Career Panels Series: Start-Ups & Data Science Careers Register
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 – 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Online via Zoom)
The next installment in our Summer Career Pathways series features two working professionals with Mathematics backgrounds who have gone on to very different career paths in data science and entrepreneurship. If you are curious about either of these careers, this is your chance to hear from and ask these professionals directly about their respective industries.
Please note this is an online event and Zoom details will be provided to attendees prior to the session.
Teaching Portfolios for Science Graduate Students Register
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 – 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Online via Zoom)
Have you decided that a career pathway as an instructor is right for you? Then one of the first things you should consider is developing your teaching portfolio.
In this workshop, presented in collaboration with the MacPherson Institute, you’ll learn the components needed to build a winning teaching philosophy and portfolio.
Please note this is an online event and Zoom details will be provided to attendees prior to the session.
Working at a CRO (Contract Research Organization) Register
Thursday, May 25, 2023, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (In-person, location TBA)
Staff from NuChem Sciences (including graduate Mac alumni) will be attending this event to share with you what work-life is like in a CRO. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers will receive a better understanding of the day-to-day realities of industrial research, as well as their potential career development path by participating in our Industrial Townhall session and 1-on-1 speed networking opportunities.
Best of all, free food will be provided to all attendees!
Book An Appointment
Are you looking for help with your next resume or cover letter? Maybe you’re just getting started with your job search? Or maybe you have questions about different career options? Wherever you are in your career journey, the Science Graduate Career Services team is here to help.
In-person and online options available.
Drop-In Hours
Join us every other Monday from 2-3pm in MUSC 213 for on-site resume, cover letter, and career support.
Meet The Team
Tara Zabella, Program Manager, Career Development
With over 20 years of progressive experience in human resources and career education, I am excited to support the professional goals of science students at McMaster. I am eager to work in partnership with faculty, students, and staff to develop career education programming that will empower our students with self-awareness, labour market knowledge, and opportunities to connect with employers and alumni. I am currently studying part-time for a Masters degree in Higher Education at the University of Toronto, where I am exploring the impact of social and cultural capital on work-integrated learning access and outcomes. I serve as Director at Large on the board of EWO, Experiential and Work-Integrated Learning Ontario.
I am eager to engage in conversations and knowledge sharing with our community about career education for graduate students.
Michael Adebo, Graduate Mentorship and Career Coordinator
As a recent graduate student myself, providing career development opportunities feels very personal to me. Graduate students can be unsure about the career options they have, especially if they are considering employment outside of academia. I hope to give students a chance to explore the different pathways available to them by providing personalized support and instilling the confidence to reach their goals.
In addition to my personal experience, I have work experience in the non-profit adult education and career services space. I supported a lot of people who felt that they were out of options when it came to pursuing their goals. One of my favourite parts of this role was getting people excited about their future and the opportunities available to them. I’m looking forward to bringing that same excitement to graduate students here at McMaster.
Career Services Newsletter
Science graduate students are invited to subscribe to the Graduate Career Services newsletter. The monthly newsletter includes resources, workshops, and supports for students in one easy to find place, directly to their inbox. Each newsletter also features a theme covering a different aspect of the job search. Subscribe and view past installments below. A new newsletter is circulated at the beginning of every month.