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Grad Life: Testing My Post-PhD Options



Exploring post-PhD Options


Last month I wrote to you about my crisis of purpose- as I explained then, I’m getting ready to wrap up my PhD and have been struggling to figure out what I should do when I’m done. Should I stay in academia or should I try something else? Is something else really an option? I mean after all this work and preparation? I was worried that the post would be overly negative (and perhaps whiney?) deterring readers from finishing it… making it completely useless. Instead, I had people open up to me with the exact same worries and feelings that I had. So this time I want to share with you what I’ve learnt with the hopes that it might help you too. And these tips aren’t just for PhD grads, there’s a little something for everyone who’s searching for a job or career.



Skills


PhD Job Search Meme


I’ve spent much of the past 4 years learning many technical skills essential to my research but beyond that environment it’s hard to see how I might use them. Also, keep in mind that my work experience outside of the lab has been rather limited- basically part-time jobs during my undergrad. I know I’ve picked up some soft skills but since I’ve spent most of my time in a research lab, I haven’t really thought about them too much – have definitely not thought about developing them further, and do not know how to market them to non-academic employers. Honestly, I’m not even sure that I know which soft skills I should highlight. 

Being the good scientist that I am, I decided to do what I know I do well- research. I’ve been reading articles and personal blogs that might help me work through this. In fact, one of the first articles that I found is called Five Transferable Skills All Ph.D. Holders Have That Others Don’t (catchy title eh?). Although not every article that I’ve read has resonated with me, this one really seems to have struck a chord. What really hit me about this article was that it pointed out how something I had always just accepted as a normal part of my life was actually a super valuable soft skill- resilience to failure. How many experiments or new techniques have “failed” for me? More than I would like to count. But looking back at those experiences, especially now that I’m almost done, I’m beginning to realize that they have allowed me to develop a very real, very useful, and very unique soft skill: I am not a quitter. As graduate students we learn how to solve problems. Some take longer than others but we always keep trying, and each time we try again, we further develop our critical thinking skills and become problem solvers. And let’s not forget to mention record keeping! When it comes to tracking progress and recalling information good record keeping is key and is incredibly valuable in many different types of work.  

Obviously those aren’t the only skill that matter but they are the ones that I hadn’t thought about before. I would encourage you to go out and read articles written by former grad students who are now ready to pass on what they’ve learnt too. It’s not the same as talking to someone but it’s a good place to start. I would also suggest checking out Alternative Careers in Science: Leaving the Ivory Tower by Cynthia Robbins-Roth. Each chapter is written by a former grad student who left academia and ended up somewhere pretty different. It’s a great way to get a glimpse of some of the less traditional paths that others have taken.


Mentorship


Mentorship Meme


In my previous post, I alluded to working with a mentor through the CAPS Career Mentoring Program. I’m pleased to say that the program has had a big impact on my life over the past 7 months. I most definitely suggest checking them out and perhaps attending one of their information sessions in September. Do keep in mind that they have a limited number of spots available though, and know that even if you can’t get into their formal mentorship program, you can still have a mentor- you’ll just need to find them on your own. (After all, you probably possess the resilience to failure skill too, so if you want a mentor, you’ll definitely find one). One piece of advice regardless or where you find your mentor- make sure you have the time to invest in a mentorship relationship otherwise you’re setting yourself up to wasting both your time and theirs. 

My mentor has been an incredible support and an amazing source of advice – plus he’s followed a path that’s similar to my own which means that. at one point in time he was in the same figurative boat that I am in now. And even more importantly, he has since gone on to have a variety of different jobs since completing his PhD. The people running the mentorship program really outdid themselves when they paired me with him.

As mentors go, he has been easy to relate to, but he’s also been someone who has been willing to challenge me to step beyond my comfort zone. Actually, he’s been pretty good at that. See, I am that stereotypical scientist who is reserved, quiet, and a bit socially awkward, and I am terrified of making conversation. How do you get over that? By practising. During one of our meetings (usually held at a Starbucks), he had a brilliant idea (and I mean that, I’m not being sarcastic) on how I could practice my small talk skills. While in the safety of the coffee shop, he encouraged me to walk up to a young woman to introduce myself and make short conversation. Although I may not have been excited by the idea at first (actually I was terrified), I did it, it was awkward, but I did it. During the experience, I was able to converse with and learn her name (although I admit that in my nerves state, I promptly forgot her name). Now I try to do this at least a couple times a week and it has really helped me. I still get anxious but not every time and it feels a lot more natural. Even in my day to day life I notice that I’ve become more talkative. When you’re comfortable talking with strangers it makes it a lot easier to network. And that’s the end goal of this particular exercise.


Networking


Networking Meme


Networking! It’s important. The more you network, the more you’ll learn- it’s one of the best ways to find out about new career options. Ever hear of a pathologist’s assistant? Neither had I but through talking to people looking at alternative careers I’ve learnt about it. Networking can also help you buildout your resume, since it can connect you with helpful volunteer and workshop opportunities… and if you’re lucky potential jobs. Another exercise I have been doing to build my network is interviewing others who have finished graduate school and moved on to other careers. These are called informational interviews. Originally, my mentor would set these up for me by connecting me with people that he knows, but now I am at the point where I can set these meetings up myself. (After my last post, some of you even reached out to participate in these kinds of interactions, which is awesome!)


The Job Search


Get a job meme


Now that I’m starting to handle my own skill development and networking, we have begun to focus on the dreaded job search. We’ve been working on cover letter writing, and next month, we’ll be trying out mock interviews. Here, the biggest piece of advice I’ve gotten is to let go and don’t worry so much. Don’t let all the qualifications and years of experience listed on a job ad intimidate you. If you think the job is interesting but you lack a degree in marketing… well apply anyways. If that’s a deal breaker for them then that’s that. And sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t, you just never know. You could give them a call or email to see whether they would consider hiring someone who lacks experience in ______. They may not talk to you and you’ll be embarrassed for 5 seconds… and then it’s done and forgotten. Or they will talk to you and you’ll gain some insight. I did and it worked out well. However, I did make it clear that I wasn’t applying to the position itself but wanted the info for future reference to similar jobs. This helps avoid any annoyance the hiring committee may feel that you had to ask in the first place. To get around that issue, your call or email could focus on learning more about the employer’s environment so that you can better tailor your application to them. 

If you want to learn more about a certain type of work environment or job, my mentor also suggested calling companies that do similar work to the area that you're interested in. Doing so will allow you to collect info about the areas of their work that you’re unfamiliar with. This will allow you to think about what kinds of words you should be using and which experiences you should be highlighting in you cover letter (since it will show off your understanding of the work environment while also demonstrating that you know you can fit within that work environment Bottom line: be innovative and learn to recognize the applicable components of your existing skill set.

Of course the U of A hasn’t left us high and dry; there have been numerous opportunities available through FGSR, the GSA, departments, faculty and groups like CAPS that invite us to attend meetings, seminars, and mixers that are dedicated to alternative career paths for graduate students. I’ve been to a couple and have picked up some good ideas in the process. So take advantage of what’s available to you. Don’t stay in the dark fretting away.

I hope that some of this has been helpful to you and if you have your own suggestions or pieces of advice please share in the comments below! I’ll end this mini-series in about a month by summarizing the mentorship program and everything I’ve learnt.


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About












Shannon


Shannon is a fourth year graduate student in Neuroscience hoping to someday soon spread her wings and finally graduate from school. She loves learning about science and how it makes our world a better place but when not in the lab she can be found hiking mountains and playing some volleyball with friends! She loves sharing the awesomeness that's always happening at the U of A!

Grad Life: Is an Academic Career the Only Option?




HELP! I’m freaking out… and I know I’m not the only one. I am a PhD student in my last year… and I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up!

I know I’m not the only one who struggles with this and I’m hoping that my experiences from the past year can be a helpful comfort for those of who are in the same predicament. I’ve been exploring my options beyond the world of academia, and hope to share that process with you throughout the summer. 


Almost four years ago I was an excited new grad student, who was ready to become a scientist. At that time, I had done my homework and was pretty sure that becoming a scientist was my dream job. I had worked in labs as an intern, research student, and lab tech to gain experience. I had talked to graduate students and researchers to get their advice. I had done my research on research. This was it- I definitely knew what I wanted to be.

But now here I am nearing graduation and I’m not as sure as I once was. Seriously. And after 10 years of post-secondary… I’m getting a little freaked out.


I don't know what I'm gonna do with my life
Image courtesy of whatshouldwecallgradschool.tumblr


My foundation has been shaken, but not because of some life altering experience. I haven’t suddenly stopped loving science and research. I haven’t had a shift in my personal responsibilities. What is different is that I have begun to seriously think about the current realities of a life in science. More competition and decreased funding hasn’t made slaving away on grants appealing this past year. The trend for fewer tenure-track positions is also unattractive. While there are certain aspects I love about being a scientist, there are also many others that I’m not sure I can keep doing for the rest of my working life. And to make things more confusing… I’m not sure that I don’t still want to be a scientist. 

So last summer as I started questioning myself; I started to feel incredibly lost. I have put a lot of time and effort into training as a scientist with a very specific set of skills that are not obviously useful outside of a lab… or to put it another way, I am a Master Rat Behavioural Tester. It’s not exactly a profession in that’s in demand in the “real” world. 

So what else am I capable of doing? There must be something out there that relies on the skills and aspects I enjoy about science but with a bit more job security.


Look at me, I'm a grad student!
Image courtesy of whatshouldwecallgradschool.tumblr


Like the good little scientist I am, I started to do some research. I looked up blogs, articles, career resources, seminars, books, and so on. Still, I was daunted with this decision and while my supervisor has been incredibly supportive, his own experiences have been strictly academic. I really needed to talk to someone who had made that switch to the outside world but I didn’t personally know anyone who had done that. And then (just two days before their deadline) I read about the CAPS Career Mentoring Program. I thought to myself, why not try this? The idea of having someone there to help guide my exploration process was pretty appealing. Just knowing someone who’s successfully transitioned from one world to another and hearing their story is a huge comfort. And knowing that they might be able to provide me with both information and support was a major relief.

I no longer feel (as) lost and I’m definitely more confident and more optimistic about my near future… at the very least, I’m not as anxious as I had been a year ago. I have learnt a lot about myself and have realized that I am capable of doing more than I had originally planned. I might even actually get excited about graduation!

Over the past few months my mentor has been a huge support and has offered me some pretty sweet advice which I hope to share with you in my next post. I’ve also started to collect a listing of non-academic occupational options for PhD.s- and yes I actually have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to this, amongst my travel and foodie boards, so you know I’m serious. 

As daunting as leaving academia first seemed, I am starting to feel a whole lot better about considering this option and I hope that I can help calm and reassure any other graduate student facing the same dilemma.


----About the Author
















Shannon


Shannon is a fourth year graduate student in Neuroscience hoping to someday soon spread her wings and finally graduate from school. She loves learning about science and how it makes our world a better place but when not in the lab she can be found hiking mountains and playing some volleyball with friends! She loves sharing the awesomeness that's always happening at the U of A!

Internships! And the top 9 Reasons You Should Consider Adding a Year to Your Degree

Ready to Work Internship Bear


Why in the world would someone intentionally add an entire year onto their degree? Actually, an even better question is why would they do that if they’ve burnt out and really just wanted to be done? Call me crazy but I did  - and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. 


Let me go all autobiographical on you for a moment. I was a 3rd year (broke) Psych student whose interest and enthusiasm for school was petering out… actually if I’m going to be honest, I was plunging into a pit of hate and despair. I had lost all interest. I stopped studying, doing my readings, and only showed up to class for midterms. Actually, it went beyond losing interest in school and actually despising having to show up on campus. On top of that many of my friends that had gone into a trade were finishing their apprenticeships, making money, and having a life- so let’s just say that I was a bit jealous. This version of me was completely opposite of the somewhat-nerdy-kind-of-keener student I normally was. Although I felt miserable, I couldn’t justify dropping out when I was over halfway done. Luckily, I had a friend who had just finished the science internship program and had loved it. I looked into the program and realized that it could be a perfect alternative for me. I’d get paid to do a job related to my degree and would get at least a year away from school without having to drop out. It sounded too good to be true but it wasn’t. It actually was exactly what I needed to help me refocus and recuperate. I went back to school after that year of work with a better sense of what I wanted to do next. After all, I obviously had my academic spark reignited and love the PhD work I’m doing now. I feel extremely fortunate to have had my internship opportunity. 

While you may not be feeling as dire as I was, I would highly recommend taking on an internship during your undergrad. The U of A has many opportunities for students depending on which program you’re in. (And to help you out, I’ve compiled a list of them at the end of this post.)


So why add a year to your degree with an internship or co-op? Your reasons will be your own (as mine were), but here are nine other reasons to motivate you to look into an internship: 

1) Maximize Your Experience. 

"Entry Level" meme
Image courtesy of 2damfunny.com

If you’ve ever done a job search then you’ve seen that even entry level jobs usually require a year or two of work experience. An internship can provide you with the opportunity to say that you have some of that experience.

2) Compete.

Let the Games Begin meme
Image courtesy of erepublik.com

When you graduate, a whole group of people will graduate with you, and they’ll have the same degree. The competition will be stiff when you enter the work force and having work experience in your field will likely give you an edge. 

3) Focus and Refocus. 

Focus Grasshopper Meme
Image courtesy of diylol.com

The workload and the repetitive routine of school can sometimes cause you to lose your focus. The experiences you’ll have during an internship will provide you with a unique opportunity to re-evaluate your long term goals and can help you to redefine the path that you’ll use to achieve them. 

4) Network, network, network. 

Maybe Spiderman should Network meme
Image courtesy of memecrunch.com

I cannot reinforce this one enough. An internship will provide you with contacts in a given field. Building a professional network can provide you with other opportunities to get involved in your field, will increase your chances of hearing about relevant jobs, and will also enable you to meet people with similar interests.

5) Walk the Talk. 

Dr. Evil quotation marks meme
Image courtesy of memes.com

How do you know if you even want to work in a specific field if you haven’t actually tried it out? Maybe the Alberta OCC info on your intended career sounds interesting to you but until you’ve walked the walk and talked the talk it’s nearly impossible to tell if you’ll enjoy ALL aspects of a career. The perk of an internship is that you’ll get immersed in the field but for a limited time. And if you decided it’s not really your thing then you still have time to change your path during your undergrad.

6) Take a "Break." 

Recess! Time for a Break
Image courtesy of parents-are-people-to.com

Sometimes you really need to get away from the books and concentrate on other areas of your life for a bit.

7) Make some money. 

Take a Dollar, Eat a Dollar
Image courtesy of 12.kym-cdn.com

Enough said.

8) References. 

Reference Letter meme
Image courtesy of quickmeme.com

Everyone needs references, whether it’s to get into a professional school, grad school, or to get a job. The more detail a referee can provide the better you’ll look so working with a mentor or supervisor for a year of full-time work will definitely help.

9) Career support. 

Expensive Resume Cartoon
Image courtesy of jobgroup.org


Most programs will have extra training to help you improve skills like interviewing, resume writing, and career planning. This support is invaluable and from my experience I have gone back to talk to my internship coordinator a few times since completing the program and she’s always been a great guide!


So now that I’ve piqued your interest checkout the links below for more info on each program the U of A offers. If I’ve missed any or you have any comments on why your internship rocked leave us a comment! 
Each program has their own requirements and lengths of employment so check them out and see if you qualify. 

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About the Author

















Shannon


Hi, my name is Shannon and I’m here to provide you with a YouAlberta graduate student perspective. I am currently in the last year of my degree and have (quite) a few years of experience on the U of A campus as both an undergrad and graduate student.
I am excited to show off our student experience both here at the U of A and in the broader Edmonton community. We have a dynamic campus culture full of events, groups, and just day to day awesomeness. My passions include science and getting others involved in science related activities, volleyball, hiking, and camping. I’m also full of tips on how to have fun on a student budget. Over the next year I hope I can show you how to make the most of your U of A experience because there’s so much more to school than classes and expensive textbooks!

It's Voting Time...


VOTE! It’s a privilege we that gives you the chance to add  your two cents to a decision. Sure it can sometimes seem as though your one little vote will get lost in the thousands that are submitted, but realistically they all make a difference. So, here’s why you should vote:


1. No one is a mind reader- We need to to express our choices when offered the chance to help make a decision. 

2. Voting is your easiest way to get involved and preparing to vote can help motivate you to stay informed about what’s happening on our campus.

3. Knowing that you participated in a collective process can be highly rewarding!

4. And really, if you don’t vote then you can’t complain regardless of how things turn out.
There you have it and that’s why YOU should vote for... your favourite prof to give the Last Lecture. Got ya! Bet you thought I was talking about the SU and GSA elections eh? (Although, if you’re eligible, you should probably vote in those too.)

What is the Last Lecture? Well, when I first saw the posters for the Last Lecture I thought “that’s pretty cool- they let a retiring lecturer share some parting words with campus”.  Apparently I was wrong… kind of. 

It is not a lecture given by a retiring faculty member but is instead a chance for YOU dear student to choose a professor that you would like to hear answer the question: 

“If this was the last time to address a group of students, what would you say to them?”

Or as my fellow Blogger Edward puts it, you get you get to pick which prof has the “job of passing the knowledge of the universe onto each generation of students.”

Ok, so I’m sure that after two long semesters of listening to lectures and taking exams you’re totally into the idea of voting for and attending an extra lecture, right? Right? Ok, maybe not. Fair enough. But I’m going to do my best to convince you to get involved any way because I think this is a pretty cool idea. 

Here are my top four reasons to get excited for the Last Lecture:

1. This is a unique opportunity to hear a prof who has inspired you… but this time you’ll get to hear them talk about what has inspired and motivated them.

2. It’s free entertainment. Maybe not the most convincing reason but it’s true. Plus you’ll walk away ready to conquer your next challenge.

3. Voting for one of your favourite profs is an easy way to show them that you’ve noticed their hard work. Profs are people too and they like to know that they’ve done a good job. (And yes, you can and SHOULD complete your teacher evaluations at the end of the term too, but the Last Lecture will let your favourite(s) know that you really do want to hear them again, because you’ve voted to.)

4. The road to becoming a prof can actually be pretty challenging and takes a fair bit of perseverance and dedication. So as we finish another year of school and some of us head into the “real world” why wouldn’t you want to hear one last lecture to officially wrap up your?


Cool Prof
Image courtesy of imgkid.com


Now you’re ready to go out and vote! Go! Do it! Voting for the 2015 Last Lecture starts on March 4, 2015.

----About the Author

















Shannon


Hi, my name is Shannon and I’m here to provide you with a YouAlberta graduate student perspective. I am currently in the last year of my degree and have (quite) a few years of experience on the U of A campus as both an undergrad and graduate student.


I am excited to show off our student experience both here at the U of A and in the broader Edmonton community. We have a dynamic campus culture full of events, groups, and just day to day awesomeness. My passions include science and getting others involved in science related activities, volleyball, hiking, and camping. I’m also full of tips on how to have fun on a student budget. Over the next year I hope I can show you how to make the most of your U of A experience because there’s so much more to school than classes and expensive textbooks!

100 Years Later... Bats, The Simpsons, Slides, and Fire


Lighting it up with snow and ice


100 hundred years ago Canada sent their first troops into WWI, Nellie McClung posed a petition demanding women’s suffrage to the Albertan government, Pluto was photographed for the first time, and the University of Alberta graduated their first class. That’s 100 years and 260,000 graduates of “Doing Great Things”. In commemoration of the lives and accomplishments of former U of A students, the Alumni Association has put together a bio on one graduate from each year. One of my favourites is Joel Cohen who is a writer for a little known show called The Simpsons that’s just been kicking around for the past 26 years. I still remember being 10 and racing downstairs as soon as I heard the theme song come on... who am I kidding, I still do that just to see what the theme’s ending is for new episodes. Cohen got his degree in biology and became a Hollywood writer and producer. And yes, I would recommend reading the bios of those who have come before us. And, why? Because while I was reading them, I came to realize that even though I don’t know what I want to be when I “grow up”… I don’t really have to know. And that’s a comfort that I think many students need.


Since this is the Alumni Association’s centennial they decided to start it off right with an awesome Green and Glow Winterfest just this past weekend. Despite the chilliness of the winter season there was a great turn out of families, friends, and some now retired alumni. Quad was aglow with gleaming art installations, a blazing ice sculpture, lanterns, and shining cold faces.


Dan Riskin


To kick it off last Thursday night, Dan Riskin (a co-host on the Daily Planet) gave a talk on what it meant to him to be a U of A alumni as he described the path that landed him his job on an awesome show. If there ever was a Bat Man, Dan is that man. He talked about how his love of bats started after reading a really cool book during his undergrad and led him to pursue not one, but two graduate degrees while travelling all over the world  to study his beloved bats. His passion for bats and his ability to give a kick-ass presentation shaped the science TV host he’s become. It was the passion he saw in his U of A biology profs that inspired him to become the zealous scientist with a passion for bats he is today. Now thanks to those profs, he has the ability to share and inspire a broad audience and get people interested in science too. Talk about “Doing Great Things."


Do Great Things


So, what else did the Green and Glow Winterfest have that inspired me to write about it?


Ice Slide on Campus


Well, the ice slide was great- there wasn’t a time when I didn’t see a lineup of kids and adults waiting to glide down its slope! 


Sliding on Campus


There was a lantern making station inside CCIS where everyone got a chance to put their crafty skills to good use. 


Lantern Making



How to make a lantern


And if you wanted to show off your good work, you could partake in the lantern parade that ended with an amazing display of fire against the background of a glowing ice sculpture. 


Campus a Glow


Those blasts of fire had a practical use too as my freezing face definitely appreciated the warmth. And if you got a bit too cold you could always head towards CCIS and warm up with a cup of delicious hot chocolate (which I took advantage of several times). 

I enjoyed the interactive art installations where you could walk through a maze of bubble lights and step into a snow dome and mini cabin. 


A Maze of Light


A Peak Inside a Snow Globe



A Log Cabin... With Chicken Legs?


But my favourite was definitely the ice bar that supplied some great spiked cider. 


The Ice Bar


Another cool aspect was the “ghosts of graduates past” walking around Quad. My encounter included a hilarious honourary degree ceremony complete with graduation music, flash photography, and mom’s proud tears.


Ghosts of Graduates Past


All in all it was a great way to open the centennial celebrations. I feel inspired with a warm glow on the inside (even with my frozen toes and fingers on the outside), full of U of A spirit. The Alumni’s mantra “Do Great Things” has prevailed and all the stories I’ve heard from alumni this past weekend have reinforced this in my mind. If you want to check out what else the Alumni Association has planned for its centennial check out their website.


----About the Author



















Shannon



Hi, my name is Shannon and I’m here to provide you with a YouAlberta graduate student perspective. I am currently in the last year of my degree and have (quite) a few years of experience on the U of A campus as both an undergrad and graduate student.


I am excited to show off our student experience both here at the U of A and in the broader Edmonton community. We have a dynamic campus culture full of events, groups, and just day to day awesomeness. My passions include science and getting others involved in science related activities, volleyball, hiking, and camping. I’m also full of tips on how to have fun on a student budget. Over the next year I hope I can show you how to make the most of your U of A experience because there’s so much more to school than classes and expensive textbooks!

30 Ways to Stay Entertained on a Student Budget

Not Completely Broke - Win!
Image courtesy of peuolife.com


The savings from your summer job have likely been exhausted over the winter break, but fear not – YouAlberta is here to help! I’ve been a student for many years and have found that my bank account has left a lot to be desired on a few occasions. So below are some of the great ways I’ve been able to have fun without breaking the bank,- P.S. many of them are actually FREE!



As much of a Movie Lover as I am? Catch a flick for cheap!

Movie Lovers
Image courtesy of oldschoolfield.com

1.  Metro Cinema. Not only is it close to campus (handy!) but they host some pretty cool events at some even cooler prices. My personal favourites are the Science in the Cinema events because they’re free and I’m a nerd (the next movie 50/50 is actually on January 15th) but I should mention that they host many other awesome (and free) events too.

2.  Sign up for a free Scene card from Cineplex and enjoy Tuesday’s 10% off movie night on Tuesdays and you also get points towards a free movie with the card. Better yet, go to InfoLink and get your tickets for just $8.50 (Hint: they also make great gifts!).

3.  Not to be left out, Landmark Cinemas has their deals too. Along with a cheap Tuesday night they also have an awesome student combo deal. For $16 you get a ticket, medium drink, and medium popcorn for any day of the week!

4.  If you’re willing to travel. Cinema Movies 12 (close to Belvedere station) also has cheap movies on Tuesdays... they’re actually only $2.25!


5.  Forget cable get Netflix. While cable can run you $20-60 dollars Netflix is a measly $8/ month. Just be aware of the Netprocrastinateflix syndrome.


A fan of the Arts and Drama scene? Here how to stayed cultured without over-drafting your savings account.

Live Theatre Meme
Original image of the Timms Centre courtesy of the Timms Centre... makes sense.


6.  Clear your every evening on last Thursday of the month! The Alberta Art Gallery’s Servus Community Access Night gives everyone the chance to see the artwork for free! It’s held on the last Thursday of each month from 6-9pm so don’t miss it.

7. Want to stay closer to campus? You can check out some of the exhibits at the Fine Art Building Gallery which showcases new U of A student art. I’ve been blown away many times by the work done by the students here.

8.  Have you heard about the Paleontology Museum in Earth Sciences? What about the Human Ecology Gallery? There are quite a few museums located right on campus to check out. All of which are free (although donations are graciously accepted should you have some extra coin in your pocket).

9.  Love the Citadel’s plays but not their ticket prices? They host a pay-what-you-can Sunday about once a month where you can see a play at the price you can afford. Just make sure you show up early enough to get a ticket.

10.  A thespian at heart? Check out Shakespeare in the Park. Usually held in Hawrelak Park in the summer, this is a great chance to watch a Shakespearean play on a beautiful summer afternoon or evening. Not only that but every Sunday is free for students, plus they have pay-what-you-can performances and other great offers! Doesn’t get any better than that!

11.  And don’t miss out on the local U of A talent! Studio Theatre  puts on a new play just about every month of the semester and with your ONEcard you can score a great deal on your ticket too!

12.  I am a huge fan of improv theatre and have been an avid attendee of Rapid Fire Theatre for many years. Check them out Friday and Saturday and the occasional Thursday nights for a measely $13. My personal fave is Theatresports Fridays, I just love a good comedic competition!

13.  Don’t forget to head to the Dinwoodie Lounge... for comedy nights, concerts, and movie nights!


14.  The Vue's Weekly Arts Listings are a great resource on local shows and concerts throughout Edmonton. I also like to hop on the Tix on the Squares page to see what’s playing on the weekends. Or I'll visit InfoLink's "Tickets Currently On Sale" page to see if there's anything interesting happening on campus.


Fitness and Sports Central. Staying Fit and Having Fun!

Guba Selfie


15.  Too cold for a run in the river valley but gym memberships are too expensive or lock you into a formidable contract? Check out the U of A’s Recreation Services for tons of classes you can take for a much cheaper price and at a very convenient location. They range from swimming classes to intramurals to yoga- Something for everyone!

16.  Rec Services also has a cool new(-ish) program called Live Well. There’s free classes for U of A students (including efficient fitness for the busy student- how handy with midterm season just around the corner), nutritional advice, a workout buddies program, and much more! 

17.  A fan of skating? You can go for free at various rinks around the city! Just check out the schedule for the public skating times.

18.  Enjoy a Panda or Golden Bears regular season home game for free with your ONEcard! You’ll get to show your U of A team spirit with your fellow U of A comrades.

19.  Want to catch an Edmonton Eskimos game for a fraction of the cost? Get your ticket at InfoLink or at the game for only $26!


20.  Can’t get enough hockey but can’t afford an Oiler’s game? Check out Edmonton’s WHL team the Oil Kings for as low as $18! Plus with your U-Pass it’s super easy to get to and from the games.


Try New Things! Classes, Groupons, Festivals Oh My!

Keep Calm and Try New Things
Image courtesy of the Keep Calm O-Matic


21.  If you’re new to cooking or are looking to learn some new dishes check out the classes put on by President’s Choice Cooking School. The cost is $10 but you usually recoup that by getting a $10 gift certificate for Superstore.

22.  The U of A’s Alumni Association is constantly putting on events that for the whole community (and not exclusively for graduated students), many of which are free! In fact they are hosting a Green and Glow Winterfest January 29-31st which you should definitely check out.

23.  Have a bit of extra time you don’t know what to do with? Try volunteering! It’s rewarding, you get to meet like-minded people, makes you feel good, and looks great on a resume! There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer around campus and Edmonton, you just need to look around and pick something that interests you. Find your perfect fit on InfoLink’s Volunteer Registry or check out the poster boards every once in a while.

24.  Of course there are also tons of clubs and organizations on campus you can join that host their own events and meetings. This is a great way to meet people who share common interests and you can make more friends. Go to BearsDen to see what group sparks your interest… or hey, you can even talk to Student Group Services about starting your own new group!

25.  Groupon has also been a great way for me to try new things at a fraction of the cost. I’ve been able to try new restaurants, horseback riding, mini golf, go for massages, wine tastings, and other cool things thanks to Groupon. Just make sure you research the place beforehand to get an idea of it!

26.  Love to read? You can turn your ONEcard into an Edmonton Public Library (EPL) card easily and for free and get access to more books. EPL also has some cool programs and events that you can check out too!

27.  There are many festivals and events going on around Edmonton that you should check out. Some of my personal favourites are the Fringe Festival, Candy Cane Lane, and Taste of Edmonton. If you want to stay in the loop just check out the City of Edmonton’s events page.

28.  Many local pubs host events as well. One of my favourites is Musical Bingo Mondays at the Druid where I can play a free game with my friends, win some prizes, and drink cheap beer! Check out what your local pub has to offer!

29.  If you want to stay on campus, you can enjoy Monday Night Football at RATT. (http://www.su.ualberta.ca/businesses/roomatthetop/).


30.  And of course if you’re in the mood to stay in you can invite friends over for drinks and games. Definitely cheaper thank drinks at a pub or club.


So now that I have passed on my years of experience to you, do your fellow classmates a favour and share your tips in the comments below!

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About the Author



















Shannon



Hi, my name is Shannon and I’m here to provide you with a YouAlberta graduate student perspective. I am currently in the last year of my degree and have (quite) a few years of experience on the U of A campus as both an undergrad and graduate student.
I am excited to show off our student experience both here at the U of A and in the broader Edmonton community. We have a dynamic campus culture full of events, groups, and just day to day awesomeness. My passions include science and getting others involved in science related activities, volleyball, hiking, and camping. I’m also full of tips on how to have fun on a student budget. Over the next year I hope I can show you how to make the most of your U of A experience because there’s so much more to school than classes and expensive textbooks!

 
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