Четверг с выпускниками

Всем привет!
Idaliya Grigoryeva
BA in International Econ, HSE (2015)
MA in Urban Geography (UBC, 2017)
MA in Economics (UBC, 2019)
Predoctoral Research Fellow in Economics, Stanford University (2019-2020)
Predoctoral Research Fellow in Economics, John Hopkins University (2020-present)
PhD student in Economics, UC San Diego (from Fall 2021)

What are you hoping to learn about today?
I hope to find out more about…
I am curious about how…
I have a weird / personal question…
Menti.com
code 9163 9832

On the Agenda…
What you can do at HSE
Take Away’s from the MAs
Academic Career
Research Experience & Mentorship
Extra-curriculars (volunteering, summer schools, …)
Indirect Paths & Seizing Opportunities
Predoctoral
Fellowships
Immigration & long-term plans
What do you want to do next?
Takeaways
For You
Features of academia in North America
Academia as a Lifestyle

Жизнь в Вышке

Research Experience & Mentorship
Thesis: Work with a supervisor you like
Your Research Experience is quite unique
Build Relationships
Find someone whom you find interesting and enjoy interacting with
Life-long relationships & support (your references are your “cheerleaders”)
They might create or help you find opportunities
Don’t stick with someone you don’t like, you don’t have to work with the same person
Writing annual course papers since the 2nd year and doing a major thesis is not common in North America
Low barriers to entry for many workshops & conferences – Participate ☺
Your friends and the profs you connect with will stay with you after graduation
Talk to people to get their feedback and insights into your academic and career goals
Even when it’s hard, you’ll get through it together ☺

Extra-curriculars – Explore Your Interests
1. Do Something You Enjoy Now…
You’ll never have “more time”
Icelandic Photo Marathon (cultural exchange volunteer)
LSE-PKU Summer School about Urban Asia in Beijing, China
Celebrating May 8th
with the academic group (3rd year)
Learning Languages, Summer Schools, Sports, Teaching
Volunteering, Public Speaking & TEDx talks
Take advantage of the long summer breaks
This will help you figure what you enjoy & build your story
Learning new things is always a transformative experience
2. Explore Your Interests & Have Fun
Helps you find the motivation and set goals towards what you want to accomplish
Writing the statements of purpose for grad school
You’ll meet people interested in similar things exploring academic and non-academic life paths and finding mentors and partners for projects
Volunteer Tour Guide with German-speaking tourists
First 10K run

Grad School & Beyond
UBC Campus

What is special about academia
in North America?
1. More Initiative & Independence
2. Interesting opportunities can be paid work
Choosing course, connecting with and reaching out to professors for research opportunities
Getting involved in student clubs, campus initiatives, student residence
You are responsible for staying on track, but you also decide what you track is ☺
Teaching & Research Assistantships
Working in university student services with career counselling, international student support, etc.
Opportunities to be involved in event support and event planning
3. Diverse People with Different Experience
Disciplinary backgrounds & subjects (undergrad is different from the Russian curriculum system)
There’s something you can learn form everyone around you

Non-Linear Paths & Seizing Opportunities
1. Non-Linear Paths
2. Find Your Thing
It’s increasingly common to switch careers, get additional degrees, it’s in your hands!
In my case, I did two Master’s programs and two predocs, and don’t feel like I wasted any time
You’re the only one determining what your path and goals are, what makes you happy
As a grad student, you will often be able to take classes from different departments (audit, for example) and explore other fields and subjects
Getting involved in on campus activities gives you an additional perspective
There is (almost) always a way to turn your interest into a career
3. Pursue & Create Opportunities
Similar to thinking about your strengths, assess what you could learn or get involved in that your grad school is specialized in (e.g. machine learning and coding in most schools in the Bay Area)
Opportunities you have access to in the city you are in
(e.g. getting involved with international organizations like the UN if you are in Washington DC)
Within your interests, find ways to take advantage of the resources around you

Predoctoral Research Fellowships
Application is similar to applying for grad school (but free)
Choose carefully who you might want to work for
What else would the program give you? (E.g. courses, office space, colleagues)
Determinants of Success
Links for sources:
sites.google.com/view/idagri/predoc-tips
Full-time Research Assistant (стажер-исследователь) working with one or two professor
Contributing to (sometimes leading) professors research projects assisting in data collection and cleaning, conducting analysis, preparing figures, tables and the manuscript for publication
In most cases, you will be a part of a campus environment and might have student status
What is it?

Predoctoral Research – Feedback
Links for sources:
sites.google.com/view/idagri/predoc-tips
“The ability to see the process of the whole paper creation; and the ability to create a good relationship with my PIs [professors]”
Stanford Predoc (2018-2021),
Accepted to Econ PhD at Stanford
1. Learning technical skills in coding and project management that I never saw/learned in undergrad (e.g. learning to query data with SQL, learning GitHub)
2. Seeing up front how professors at top institutions do research on a day-to-day level, what the research workflow looks like
Stanford Predoc (2019-2021), going to UBC PhD
Being involved with cutting-edge research you are expected to produce during your PhD studies
UBC Predoc (2020-2021),
Accepted to Econ PhD at LSE
What did you benefit from most during your predoctoral fellowship?

Academic Career
UBC Campus

Academia as a Lifestyle
Forest near the UBC Campus
1. Exploring Teaching & Research Tracks
2. Alternative Pathways after Grad School
A Master’s degree is an opportunity to get involved in graduate-level teaching and research and see if you enjoy it
Different opportunities which can be more focused on research OR teaching
Stress is present in the industry just as much, and sometimes more (especially, in consulting)
Enjoying the process is essential for your wellbeing, and not feeling a waste of potential income
Grad school is a great experience that you can turn into any path you would like after
You don’t need to want to stay in academia, but it gives you a chance to explore your options
Non-academic careers in university’s research centers and student services

Immigration & Long-Term Plans
1. Eligibility for Work Permit is Essential!
2. Grad School as an Easier Way to Immigrate
Verify what the post-graduation conditions are even if you are unsure if you want to stay
Talk to other international students in that school asking about job prospects as an international student
Transition period during studies to settle in and gain local experience
An opportunity to get on campus part-time work experience, which will give you a local professional reference
Making friends and building your social circle is easier as a student

Canadian Post-Grad Work Permit
1. Canada – One of the Friendliest Programs
Most students can get a work permit for 1-3 years after graduation
Grad degree + 1 year of qualified (highly skilled) work experience is often sufficient to apply for permanent residence
Source: https://students.ubc.ca/career/career-resources/working-canada/post-graduation-work-permit
UBC Campus

UBC Campus

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Identify Your Interests & Set Goals
Know Your Strengths & Build on Them
Reach Out & Talk to People
Have fun & Strive for Happiness!
Leaving you with…
Don’t be constrained by external expectations – you decide
Seemingly unattainable path probably just mean there are more steps to get to them
Professors, classmates, senior students, alumni - these people have perspectives & insights into the path you might be interested in
Talk to them, tell them what you are interested in & they’ll share opportunities with you
Identify your strengths related to your interests – this is what you will be pitching to schools & employers
Keep learning and challenge yourself to advance in your strengths
No one else but you will make decisions to make you happy
Find what makes you happy and turn it into your life path

What is one thing you want to do after the session?
Know who you are, be yourself, dream big & pursue your dreams!
No one else will do it for you ☺
Menti.com
code 9163 9832
Beach on campus, UBC