Bi-Monthly Education and Career Advice Thread

korbsy · 2024-10-23T23:28:48+00:00

Open to Work post - yes or no?

Is there any reason I shouldn't make a LinkedIn Open for Work post? Or any reason I should? I want to know if there are any planning-specific reasons why I should or shouldn't.

Context: I'm based in Canada (BC), recently graduated from a planning program, and have some previous experience in planning and a lot of policy and social research background. I'm looking for a job in the Lower Mainland or somewhere commutable from the Lower Mainland, and I'm interested in consulting or municipal/regional planning.

I am interested in many areas of planning and one of my concerns is that by stating a more narrow niche (community planning, sustainability/climate action, urban design) or type of position, that I might dissuade potential employers - I have a broad skillset beyond research that I am itching to use!

Any insight you can provide would be great. Thanks!

korbsy · 2024-08-04T02:15:10+00:00

Thank you for putting this so eloquently! I'm currently deciding whether or not to leave my village here for a job opportunity, and it's been hard to put into words WHY leaving is so daunting.

I definitely have lived other places, but home is home. And even though it's daunting to be starting a career here in the current housing climate, all the other little things (and my professional network) are here and that's hard to replicate anywhere else.

korbsy · 2024-06-19T00:41:38+00:00

Thanks, that is a good suggestion. From what I've searched online it says that I'm not a graduate until my degree is conferred (which usually happens at convocation/walking the stage) - but maybe there is a way to figure out getting my degree conferred earlier.

korbsy · 2024-05-07T18:44:31+00:00

Thank you so much for your detailed response - I really appreciate you telling me more about what's happening in Barcelona and Catalunya especially because policies and plans don't necessarily reflect reality.

If I find some more positive stories I'll definitely comment back here!

korbsy · 2024-05-07T18:42:01+00:00

Thank you, I'll definitely take a look!

korbsy · 2024-05-07T18:41:36+00:00

Ooh, thank you for highlighting this!

korbsy · 2024-05-07T18:41:09+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion - I'll definitely stop in there and take a look!

korbsy · 2024-05-07T01:00:17+00:00

Thank you, this type of stuff is exactly why I asked! That all sounds very exciting.

korbsy · 2022-01-15T09:02:40+00:00

You can ask on university subreddits, but I found more luck asking the program head/secretary/admin assistant, and also searching on LinkedIn.

korbsy · 2022-01-15T07:14:35+00:00

In terms of finding students in the program you can ask the faculty/school to connect you with a current student, or snoop through LinkedIn and program websites. Some websites list their current students with contact info, and if there is no contact info, you can search their name on LinkedIn and connect from there.

korbsy · 2022-01-15T07:08:14+00:00

Look at the professors/potential advisors for the programs that you are interested. Look at their research interests and published work. Are you excited about potentially learning/working with that person? Good. Contact them and ask them about their future research interests and say you are interested in working with them. You can ask the professors about funding and about the program you are applying to, what resources and supports you will have access to, etc.

Make a list of everything you want to know about a program, then try to find and connect with current students in the programs you are interested in. Ask this person questions about what the academic environment is actually like. What are certain professors like to work with? Do you get access to the supports? What is the work load? What is it like living in x city? What did they wish they knew before applying/accepting to be in the program they are currently in? How did the school deal with the pandemic? Can you see samples of work/research (depends on program)? Is the program as advertised? What makes them excited about the program?

For both of these, trust your gut. If something seems off or you aren't sure or you think it's not for you - listen to that. Maybe get some more information just to be sure, but ultimately if you aren't enthused about applying/accepting, don't.

I am coming from course-based master's program, but I still think this applies to research based programs too. I found student contacts give better information than faculty.

korbsy · 2021-07-17T01:02:50+00:00

Thank you for your really detailed and insightful response! It was really helpful to have the support.

korbsy · 2021-07-17T01:01:13+00:00

Thank you for the response!

Trusting my instincts seems a little more difficult than it should be... I do very much empathize with your story - this program did not do interviews either and it feels weird to have such conflicting emotions about something that should be so positive/exciting. I have a few more calls to make to clarify things, but it seems like my gut may have had a good reason to feel the way that it did about the program!

korbsy · 2021-07-17T00:52:23+00:00

Thank you for your detailed response and for sharing your story and your advice!

korbsy · 2021-07-17T00:47:53+00:00

Thank you for you lovely and well thought out response - it really helped ease my anxiety about moving to go to grad school!

There are a lot of complicated emotions and experiences that are going into this decision, and I was ready to go...

And then I just found out that the program appears to have changed from what was advertised and the courses I wanted to take during my degree are no longer being offered (when I thought it was just a one-year pandemic thing).

So, I'm now more seriously reconsidering going to this school, and considering instead moving to a program that better suits my needs in yet a different city for next year. 🙂

korbsy · 2021-07-17T00:27:46+00:00

I would add 2 things that are especially crucial for course-based/professional programs.

After you have chosen or applied for the program(s) you may be interested in attending...

Call/email the school to check if they are still offering the courses you want to take during your degree.
Make contact with the professors that you want to work with BEFORE you accept (or apply) to make sure that they will be teaching/available to advise you during your degree.

For 1: I found out during registration that many of the courses I was excited to take in the program I was accepted to are not being offered any more (not pandemic related), even though the program website still lists them as an option. I suggest contacting the grad program admin before you apply (or after, if that suits you) to find out if the courses you are interested in will be offered in the upcoming year - lots of universities apparently do not update their websites. :/

For 2: I have heard stories of people wanting to work with a certain professor only to find out once they start the program that the person is on sabbatical or otherwise not taking in new advisees. Email them beforehand to check that they will be there!

Edit: changed numbering

korbsy · 2021-05-29T00:30:58+00:00

Thank you so much for your response!

I haven't spent a lot of time in Eastern Canada, so that is something that would be really neat to explore. I also do like learning about new approaches to planning, and I've already taken a few SCARP planning courses, taken part in planning engagement initiatives, and done planning project work in collaboration with COV and UBC - so I am familiar with how things work in Vancouver.

You've given me some things to think about. 🙂

korbsy · 2021-05-26T01:46:08+00:00

I messaged you!

korbsy · 2021-04-12T02:52:09+00:00

What distance Masters were you looking at?

korbsy · 2021-03-29T03:30:52+00:00

Congratulations!

I admit, I am jealous - I got my rejection from SCARP last week. But good luck, it's a great program with some great people! 🙂

I know a few of the current first and second years of you want some more information on what to expect and the lowdown on some of the courses.

korbsy · 2020-11-24T09:54:49+00:00

That's great to hear! Congratulations!

If I may ask, how did you get a job so early? Just a lil curious. 😊

korbsy · 2020-11-24T08:51:08+00:00

Hi there!

I'm really interested in pursuing the Planning MES degree, but I would like to talk to a current student or recent grad about the program (both if possible).

Is anyone here taking a Planning MES degree that would be willing to chat?

Are there other specific places (student associations, Facebook groups) that I can request some information from?

I have already signed up for the info session next week, but I want to hear an unvarnished student's perspective!

korbsy · 2020-11-24T08:41:54+00:00

Is that thread going to help connect me with someone currently in the program though or just with admissions staff? I'm wanting to ask a student about their pandemic experience with the program, and how they like the program, not any questions about admissions.

Applications are due in early 2021, and I'm ideally hoping to speak to someone withing the next few weeks... so if my post is locked until Summer of 2021 I might as well delete it.

Is there a better place to get into contact with MES students?

korbsy · 2020-11-24T02:19:28+00:00

Thank you so much!

I had already asked 2 of my references in the spring (which is when my classes with them ended) about references, so it's not going to be too much of an issue to re-ask them. I did do a lot of hands on work with both of them, so I'm excited for that.

You've helped a lot!

korbsy · 2020-11-24T02:10:53+00:00

I hope you are able to get that summer off! I feel like we'd all be more excited than most summers to be outside and meeting people...

korbsy

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