TRaCE Talks

TRaCE Talks is a speaker series that brings McGill PhD graduates back to share their career journeys, professional experiences, and insights with current graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Through interactive panel discussions, participants can learn about opportunities across sectors, ask questions, and connect with alumni who have successfully navigated diverse career paths.

Upcoming Events

Join McGill PhD alumni for conversations about career pathways beyond academia. Upcoming TRaCE Talks are listed below and will be added throughout the Fall and Winter semesters as events are scheduled.

Fall 2026 Events

Gaining Experience with the 3MT and Doctoral Internship Program

Date: September 23, 2026
Time: 12:00-1:30 PM
Location: Thomson House ballroom

Join us to learn about the career pathways of McGill PhD alumni working in diverse careers and who have benefited from two key professional development offerings from SKILLSETS: the Three Minute Thesis and the Doctoral Internship Program. This event will be held in person and followed by a networking session where participants will have the opportunity to interact with the panelists and other graduate students.

Featured alumni:

• Rania Afiouni (PhD, Management), Professor – School of Management (ESG UQAM), Université du Québec à Montréal
• Fannie Dionne (PhD, History ), Historian – Jesuit Archives of Canada

🔗 Register for Gaining Experience with the 3MT and Doctoral Internship Program

Careers in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Date: October 9, 2026
Time: 9:00-10:30 AM
Location: Macdonald Campus

As part of the Mac Graduate Retreat: Cultivating Possibilities, this TRaCE Talks panel features alumni from across the agricultural and environmental sciences who will discuss how their graduate training shaped their professional paths. Join us to explore a range of career possibilities, hear firsthand experiences, and engage in conversation with alumni and fellow graduate students.

Featured alumni:

• Simon Bernard (PhD, Physics), Research and Development Scientist – ChrysaLabs
• Anna Colavecchio (PhD, Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry), Food Safety and Validation Manager – Agropur
• Amélie Grégoire Taillefer (PhD, Entomology), Entomologist and Nunavik Sentinels Coordinator – Espace pour la vie
• Neil Brett (PhD, Human Nutrition), Senior Research Scientist – Thermo Fisher Scientific

🔗 Register for Careers in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the Mac Graduate Retreat

Why Attend?

TRaCE Talks offers an opportunity to:

• Explore a wide range of career pathways for PhD graduates.
• Learn firsthand about career transitions and professional development.
• Connect with McGill alumni working in diverse sectors.
• Ask questions and gain practical advice from experienced professionals.
• Expand your professional network and discover new possibilities.

About TRaCE Talks

TRaCE Talks builds on the work of the TRaCE McGill project, which examined the career pathways of more than 4,500 McGill PhD graduates. The series continues this work by creating opportunities for career exploration, mentorship, and dialogue between current and former graduate students.

Watch Past Talks

Missed a session? Browse recordings of previous TRaCE Talks to hear McGill PhD alumni discuss careers in areas such as policy, sustainability, biotechnology, teaching, community development, and more.

To learn more about the alumni who have participated in TRaCE Talks over the years, browse the Participant Directory. 

Related Opportunities from the College of Graduate Mentorship

Interested in connecting more deeply with the McGill community to explore career pathways? The College of Graduate Mentorship offers two different opportunities to connect with graduates who can advise you as you make the transition from graduate student or postdoctoral scholar to working professional:

• The Mentorship Pairing Program offers structured, annual mentorship opportunities for PhDs (year 3+) and postdoctoral scholars who are planning to enter the academic job market.
• The COMPASS Mentorship Program offers flexible mentorship from a network of PhD graduates who are available to discuss the PhD process, transitioning to work, and any challenges that may arise along the way.