Vision boarding
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Presenter: Fathima Afsal & Anastasiia Yemets
Location: Frank Dawson Adams Building, McGill Engine Centre - room 5
Campus: Downtown campus
Come join us in this hands-on crafty workshop where you will brainstorm an IDP vision statement and use collaging to make a vision board. Workshop goers will have the opportunity to digitally or physically collage to make a vision board to stay on track with their goals!
All materials will be provided! Enjoy the company of other grad students and let's get crafty.
No-Show Fee Alert: There are no fees associated with SKILLSETS workshops; however, registering for an event is a commitment to attend. If you can no longer attend, make sure to cancel your registration at least 48 hours before the workshop. Otherwise, a $25 No-Show Fee will be charged to your McGill student account. For more information on our policy, please go to www.mcgill.ca/skillsets/policies
Planning with Purpose
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Presenter: Rodrigo Alain Migueles Ramirez & Anastasiia Yemets
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
The Planning with Purpose information session is an introduction to the Individual Development Plan (IDP) at McGill. This session covers the process and building blocks of creating a meaningful IDP and setting goals in grad school. We also explore the resources, supports, and programming available from the myPath team to help you to forge your own learning path.
In this workshop you will have an opportunity to:
• Understand what an IDP is and how to use one to support your grad school experience
• Discover the resources and support available to help you create your IDP
• Familiarize yourself with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' mandatory IDP reporting requirements for graduate students
• Complete 1 of your 3 IDP reporting requirements!
Building Your Next Presentation
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Presenter: Arav Saherwala and Andrew Churchill
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
This workshop focuses on the steps participants need to develop content for their next research presentation. From STEM based quantitative research, to social science exploration, this workshop will explore worksheets designed to help participants develop better content.
Learning outcomes:
- Articulate the core message clearly and accessibly to maximize audience understanding
- Brainstorm ways to start presentations that increase engagement
- Learn patterns to structure presentations that create curiosity to learn more
- Develop specific strategies to maximize credibility without getting bogged down
Startup Law 101
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Presenter: Compass Startup Legal Clinc
Location: Frank Dawson Adams Building, McGill Engine Centre - Seminar room FDA 3 or FDA 5 (depending on group size)
Campus: Downtown campus
Led by a team of caseworkers from Compass Startup Legal Clinic, this workshop provides startup founders with a clear path through the legal landscape, offering insight on issues such as incorporation, governance, fundraising, and selecting the ideal legal structure.
Learning outcomes:- Describe the different forms of legal structures for enterprises.
- Explain the process of incorporation and its governance obligations.
- List the different ways to fund a venture.
Grad Breakfast Club
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Presenter: Rodrigo Alain Migueles Ramirez, Anastasiia Yemets
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Stay on track with a 45min “plan your week” session on Monday mornings. Meet with a group of peers to set your intentions, boost motivation, troubleshoot challenges, and (most importantly) take the pressure off!
Income Taxes for Postdocs
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Presenter: Alex Gavrila
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Are you a postdoctoral fellow who is filing their first income tax return? Do you wonder what needs to be reported during your first year in Québec? Would you like to better understand tax slips and learn how to file your income taxes? Then this webinar is for you! We will first start with a brief overview of the Canadian tax system covering topics such as: different types of taxes, tax brackets, and how different sources of income get taxed. We will review key tax slips (see list below) and show you how to make sense of them through live examples. We will also go over the Québec Tax Exemption process for postdocs, including eligibility criteria, required documentation, and the application procedure. Finally, we will cover various tax credits and deductions available to you.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about the different Canadian tax brackets, what counts as taxable income, and how different types of income get taxed.
- Develop a basic understanding of the information contained on key tax slips (T4, T4A, T5, RL-1, RL-3, RL-8, RL-19, RL-24, and RL-31).
- Understand the Québec Tax Exemption process for postdocs and review eligibility criteria and the application procedure.
- Explore common tax deductions and credits available to you.
- Review various free tax filing resources and software.
Grad Breakfast Club
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Presenter: Rodrigo Alain Migueles Ramirez, Anastasiia Yemets
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Stay on track with a 45min “plan your week” session on Monday mornings. Meet with a group of peers to set your intentions, boost motivation, troubleshoot challenges, and (most importantly) take the pressure off!
Grad Knowledge in Action Q&A
Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Presenter: Alycia Bartczak
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Are you a doctoral student in Humanities or Social Sciences? SKILLSETS is launching a new experiential learning opportunity: Grad Knowledge in Action! This 4 week virtual work experience is powered by Practera and is designed to prepare you for the workplace through real world challenges. Find out more on our Grad Knowledge in Action page and join this Q&A session to ask your questions!
Read Effectively and Take Smart Notes in Grad School
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Presenter: Carrie Hanson and Hadi Hojjati
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Looking to manage your reading load? In this workshop, we’ll dig into strategies for making sense of dense academic texts, pulling out key ideas, and organizing notes. You will move from note-taking (just jotting things down) to note-making for better understanding. Whether you’re tackling complicated research articles or hefty books, you’ll learn techniques to engage deeply with the material, retain what matters, and build smarter habits for working with academic literature. Perfect for grad students in any field who want to sharpen their reading and note-making game.
By attending this workshop, you will be able to:
- Use strategies for reading comprehension
- Distinguish between note-taking and note-making
- Identify challenges and opportunities that arise with using AI for reading and notetaking
Exploring Your Professional Path After Grad School
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Presenter: Lorna MacEachern, Agata Rybalkiewicz, and Chantelle Thauvette
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
What’s your next step? This interactive workshop for graduate students will teach you the skills to review position types and work environments within the context of your career. Together, we will help you reflect on your professional identity and preferences, practice deciphering job postings, and identify next steps in your career exploration.
In this workshop you will have the opportunity to…
- Define your personal values, skills, and/or interests
- Practice deciphering job postings
- Identify the next step in your professional development
- Combine the above strategies to make impactful career choices efficiently
TRaCE Talks: Careers in Biotechnology and Medical Devices
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Join us for this career panel with McGill PhD alumni working in the field of biotechnology and medical devices!
Presentations 101: Rethinking Research Presentations
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Presenter: Fathima Asfal and Candice Canonne
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Get started with this intro to SKILLSETS’ Presentation Skills series. This workshop teaches participants how to create clear, accessible and engaging research presentations that are fit for a variety of academic and non-academic audiences. An overview of key presentation components, this workshop touches on content, visuals, and stage presence to give participants a solid foundation in presentation.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand why less is more in presentations
- Learn the importance of narrative structures and storytelling
- Rethink when and how to use visuals
- Decrease anxiety and increase engagement by channeling authenticity
Grad Breakfast Club
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Presenter: Rodrigo Alain Migueles Ramirez, Anastasiia Yemets
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Stay on track with a 45min “plan your week” session on Monday mornings. Meet with a group of peers to set your intentions, boost motivation, troubleshoot challenges, and (most importantly) take the pressure off!
Grad Breakfast Club
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Presenter: Rodrigo Alain Migueles Ramirez, Anastasiia Yemets
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Stay on track with a 45min “plan your week” session on Monday mornings. Meet with a group of peers to set your intentions, boost motivation, troubleshoot challenges, and (most importantly) take the pressure off!
Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship 101
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: Frank Dawson Adams Building, McGill Engine Centre - Seminar room FDA 3 or FDA 5 (depending on group size)
Campus: Downtown campus
This workshop will provide an overview of what technological innovation is and what entrepreneurship is, as well an overview of the Entrepreneurial Mindset, the Lean Launchpad methodology, the Business Model Canvas and the Lean Canvas.
Learning outcomes:- Define Innovation according to the Conference Board of Canada definition.
- Define the Entrepreneurial Mindset according to KEEN.
- Describe the different approaches in the process of innovation.
- Explain the use of the Business Model Canvas and the Lean Canvas.
- Explain the build-measure-learn feedback loop of Lean Startup methodology.
Goal Setting with Your Supervisor
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Presenter: Hadi Hojjati and Rodrigo Alain Migueles Ramirez
Location: Frank Dawson Adams Building, McGill Engine Centre - Seminar room FDA 3
Campus: Downtown campus
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
How can a grad student talk about what they really want in life with their supervisor?
Graduate experiences are individual, centred on growth, achievement, and identity. Supervisors play an essential role as a guide, helping orient and propel students. A successful student/supervisor relationship depends on good communication to make sure students are moving in the right direction and that goals are aligned.
This discussion and reflection-based workshop addresses how to have conversations with participants’ supervisors about goals and future plans. This 1.5 hour workshop is designed and led by graduate students.
Learning outcomes:
• Reflect and establish goals and motivations to discuss with participants’ supervisors
• Determine the type of support participants need from their supervisors
• Practice communicating these goals and requests for support with peers.
This workshop counts towards the IDP requirement.
How to Manage Your Time as an Overwhelmed Grad Student
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Presenter: Carrie Hanson, Hannah Medley
Location: Frank Dawson Adams Building, McGill Engine Centre - Seminar room FDA 3
Struggling to stay on top of your academic research, professional development, and personal commitments? This practical workshop is designed specifically for graduate students to help you take control of your time. Learn effective day-to-day planning strategies, prioritize tasks with confidence, and build sustainable routines that support your long-term goals. Through hands-on activities and real-life examples, you'll leave with tools to reduce stress, boost productivity, and make time for what matters most.
After this workshop, you will be able to:
- Maintain your short and long-term goals using an Individual Development Plan
- Identify your areas of strength and opportunities for growth when managing your time
- Reflect upon your personal, academic, and professional priorities to create an actionable to-do list and ideal week
- Navigate personal obstacles to successfully implement your plan
This workshop counts towards the IDP requirement.
No-Show Fee Alert: There are no fees associated with SKILLSETS workshops; however, registering for an event is a commitment to attend. If you can no longer attend, make sure to cancel your registration at least 48 hours before the workshop. Otherwise, a $25 No-Show Fee will be charged to your McGill student account. For more information on our policy, please go to www.mcgill.ca/skillsets/policies
Budgeting and Expense Planning
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Presenter: Alex Gavrilla
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
This webinar will show you how to create a budget given your income level. It covers the main pitfalls of not budgeting and will show you ways to stay on track. Learn how to effectively monitor and cut costs using various free online tools and apps, and how to automate your savings. Join us for this engaging webinar to learn how small changes in your daily spending can lead to major savings down the line.
Note: This webinar is also relevant for international students & newcomers to Canada as it covers many of the basics about the different types of bank accounts available to you.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn how to create a budget and stick to it.
- Learn about various ways to cut costs of essentials (groceries, housing, and services).
- Familiarize yourself with various apps & tools that can save you money.
Planning with Purpose
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Presenter: Anastasiia Yemets and Rodrigo Alain Migueles Ramirez
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
The Planning with Purpose information session is an introduction to the Individual Development Plan (IDP) at McGill. This session covers the process and building blocks of creating a meaningful IDP and setting goals in grad school. We also explore the resources, supports, and programming available from the myPath team to help you to forge your own learning path.
In this workshop you will have an opportunity to:
• Understand what an IDP is and how to use one to support your grad school experience
• Discover the resources and support available to help you create your IDP
• Familiarize yourself with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' mandatory IDP reporting requirements for graduate students
• Complete 1 of your 3 IDP reporting requirements!
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Info session
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Presenter: Candice Canonne and Dominique Louër
Location: Online
This workshop is hosted on Zoom and is accessible through your McGill Zoom account. PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR MCGILL ZOOM ACCOUNT AT https://mcgill.zoom.us/ BEFORE JOINING THE SESSION.
Want to be able to explain your research to your family and friends? Need a quick elevator pitch on what impact your research will have? The 3 Minute Thesis / Ma Thèse en 180 Secondes competition is for you! Attend this info session to learn more about 3MT, details around the competition, and how you will be able to take skills you learn through this experience beyond the competition.