<aside> <img src="/icons/book_gray.svg" alt="/icons/book_gray.svg" width="40px" /> “Don't assume that getting a Ph.D. will automatically lead to a job -- even postdocs are scarce, so make sure you have a Plan B and a Plan C, focus on transferable skills, and are open to paths outside of your area of expertise.” — Valeria Khudiakova, psychology research specialist, graduated in 2023, now a first-year Ph.D. Student at the University of Birmingham, UK
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<aside> <img src="/icons/book_gray.svg" alt="/icons/book_gray.svg" width="40px" /> “If you’re interested in pursuing a PhD in any psychology-related field, it’s essential to have research experience and know that you like doing research! Get experience volunteering in labs even if it might not be the exact area you’re interested in because the skills are transferrable. Other excellent avenues for finding research opportunities are through course-based programs like the ROP, independent projects (PSY405/406), and the research specialist program, or through work-based opportunities like the work-study program. If there’s an area of study that you enjoy, read papers from that field - a good way to start this is to a) see what other works the authors of the paper have published, b) check out what work they are citing in their paper, and c) see who has cited the paper you’re reading.” — Jordana Schiralli, psychology specialist, graduated in 2016, and Ph.D. in social psychology, graduated in 2023, now a Senior Research Analyst
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<aside> <img src="/icons/book_gray.svg" alt="/icons/book_gray.svg" width="40px" /> “Ask as many people as possible to read your statement!!! Including any grad students you have worked with, professors you have a close relationship with, and friends.” — Norman Zeng, psychology research specialist, graduated in 2023, now a 1st-year Ph.D. student at UofT
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<aside> <img src="/icons/book_gray.svg" alt="/icons/book_gray.svg" width="40px" /> “Grad school (Ph.D. specifically) is just one possible path! It may feel like it is what everyone is doing, but it's not! Only go into grad school if you are genuinely interested in a topic of study and want to do research for a minimum of 5 years.” — Norman Zeng, psychology research specialist, graduated in 2023, now a 1st-year Ph.D. student at UofT
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<aside> <img src="/icons/book_gray.svg" alt="/icons/book_gray.svg" width="40px" /> “Be certain you want to do the program you are applying to. Put a lot of (at times tedious) thinking into what it is exactly you want to study and with whom. The more specific you are, the easier it is to choose programs to apply to. You apply to fewer programs, and your "chances" are lower in that sense, but I think with more certainty and a higher ability to tailor applications and actually propose things to research and identify gaps in the literature, you can make a much more convincing argument for profs to hire you as a Ph.D. student. Only apply to work with people you like and think are interesting, and make sure they find you interesting in return. Otherwise, you'll burn out or just have a very hard time enjoying your research, which is honestly the main reason to do a PhD.” — Mishel Alexandrovsky, psychology research specialist, graduated in 2023, now a 1st-year Ph.D. student at Uof
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<aside> <img src="/icons/book_gray.svg" alt="/icons/book_gray.svg" width="40px" /> “I was in Harvard's PPREP which paired me with a mentor and was very insightful. I also did a similar thing through U of Minnesota, and attended some seminars through NYU. Basically, hear from as many schools that you might be interested in as possible, find grad students to talk to who can give you direct feedback and advice, and use your current faculty connections to get even more feedback and advice.” — Mishel Alexandrovsky, psychology research specialist, graduated in 2023, now a 1st-year Ph.D. student at UofT
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🔗 To Main Page: UofT Psychology: Roadmap to Success
🔗 To Section Page: Should I pursue graduate studies?
🎯Moving on: What experiences helped you to prepare for graduate school?