STEP 1: DESIGN

As you’ll hear about in the introductory video, step one of the Beyond Graduate School framework is to design a plan for your program and build skills to help you earn your degree.

At the end of this module, you will be able to identify your career goals and expectations for your program, create a plan so you can make the most out of your time in graduate school, and develop key skills you will need to succeed in graduate school and beyond.

Designing a clear plan for your master’s degree begins by identifying your intentions: Is your goal to gain foundational knowledge to help you advance in your career? Do you want to change careers? Gain a competitive advantage over other job applicants? Or, do you want to develop in-depth knowledge about a specific subject matter?

Understanding how you want to leverage your education will help you identify courses to take, make the most out of internships and practicums, and connect with people who can help you achieve your goals. This strategic planning will set the foundation for a successful job search and career after you’ve earned your degree.

In addition to designing a plan for your degree, this module will help you build the skills you need to succeed in graduate school. Through self-paced video lessons, you will:

• Design a plan for your degree program.

• Develop effective written and oral communication skills.

• Apply collaboration and leadership skills to work effectively on teams.

• Manage your time.

• And demonstrate academic integrity in your studies. 

Lessons are accompanied by guiding questions and exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned.

We recommend that you download the form-fillable PDF workbook and type out (or write out!) your answers as you go.