Do you have questions about graduate school? Are you unsure where to find help? This FAQ organizes U of T resources and services into common questions from graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
| Area | Resource | Focus | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering | Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering (Troost ILead) | Leadership | Troost ILead provides enrichment programs and for-credit courses that inspire the leadership potential of engineering students. Topics covered include leadership styles, personal values, persuasive communication, teamwork, equity, and more. |
| ELITE Emphasis | Leadership, business, management, entrepreneurship | ELITE courses cover topics in leadership, finance, business, management, and entrepreneurship to complement discipline-specific training. To obtain the emphasis, which will be notated on your transcript, you have to take four courses. | |
| The Hatchery | Entrepreneurship | The Hatchery supports students to launch their ideas into start-ups and find co-founders. | |
| U of T Engineering CONNECT | Networking | This is like LinkedIn for the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering where you can find mentors, job postings, events, and more. | |
| School of Graduate Studies | Centre for Graduate Professional Development | Professional development | Graduate professional development is skills-based training that complements graduate coursework and research. The program provides training in communication, teaching, research, teamwork, and personal effectiveness. |
| Graduate Centre for Academic Communication (GCAC) | Communication | GCAC provides graduate students with advanced training in academic writing and speaking. | |
| U of T | Career Exploration & Education (CxED) | Career exploration | CxED provides a variety of workshops on job searching, networking, and job application material; one-on-one support on resumes, cover letters, and interviews; and employer events. |
| Teaching Assistants’ Training Program (TATP) | Teaching | TATP hosts two certificate programs to improve your teaching skills for teaching assistant positions and teaching careers in academia. | |
| Entrepreneurship | Entrepreneurship | A resource for entrepreneurship at U of T. | |
| Other | Mitacs | Research | Receive funding and professional skills training to develop new research connections and bridge academia and industry. |
| Coursera | Professional development | Coursera provides a catalogue of professional, research, and career skills-related courses. |
| Area | Resource | Focus | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering | The OPTIONS Program | Non-academic careers | The OPTIONS Program supports graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to explore diverse career pathways beyond academia. It consists of a nine-week, non-credit cohort program and complementary events throughout the year. |
| Prospective Professors in Training (PPIT) | Academic careers | PPIT prepares PhD students for the rigours of a career in academia. The program introduces students to curriculum, teaching, and learning in engineering education and the tools required to apply to and hold an academic position (application materials and prioritizing teaching, research, and administration). | |
| School of Graduate Studies | Centre for Graduate Professional Development | Professional development | Graduate professional development is skills-based training that complements graduate coursework and research. The program provides training in communication, teaching, research, teamwork, and personal effectiveness. |
| U of T | Career Exploration & Education (CxED) | Career exploration | CxED provides a variety of workshops on job searching, networking, and job application material; one-on-one support on resumes, cover letters, and interviews; and employer events. |
Contact your department-specific graduate administrator to discuss program requirements, courses, and more.
Check out the School of Graduate Studies’ GradHub. This is a helpful summary of resources, supports, campus offerings, communities, and more to help you get involved.
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Student Groups
| GECoS | Graduate Engineering Council of Students |
| ILead:Grad | Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering Graduate Association |
| ASA | Aerospace Students’ Association |
| AMIGAS | Association of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Graduate Students |
| BESA | Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association |
| CEGSA | Chemical Engineering Graduate Students’ Association |
| CivMin GSA | Civil and Mineral Engineering Graduate Students’ Association |
| ECEGSS | Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Students’ Society |
| MSEGSA | Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Students’ Association |
| GradSWE | Graduate Super Women Engineers |
| NSBE | National Society for Black Engineers |
Explore unique interests beyond your discipline
- Database of student clubs and associations
- Sport and Recreation: intramurals, Athletic Centre, Hart House Fitness Centre, or Goldring Centre
- Attend social events with GradLife including Grad Escapes, Grad Talks, and Grad Connections
Are you looking to connect with people who have similar experiences?
- Multi-Faith Centre
- First Nations House
- Sexual & Gender Diversity Office
- Family Care Office
- Centre for International Experience could be the place to start.
Here you can find a list of identity-based clubs and groups in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and beyond.
The Mentorship Database includes 50+ searchable mentorship programs.
If you are in a research‐stream program, supervision can be one of the most defining experience of your graduate career. If you are short on time, refer to the Supervision Tip Sheet for Students. For a deeper dive into the supervisor-student relationship, review this checklist and the overall Supervision Guidelines for Students.
If you have further questions, contact your department-specific graduate administrator.
PhD Alumni
Explore how U of T Engineering PhD alumni have transformed their academic experiences into meaningful careers with the 10,000 PhDs Project. Engineering is part of the Physical Sciences, so check out their Fact Sheet.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Explore the U of T postdoctoral fellow Career Outcomes Project.
This is like LinkedIn for the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering where you can find alumni from your department.
Company Information Sessions
Attend a career fair or meet prospective employers at a company information session. Check out the event calendars for Career Exploration & Education, the Engineering Career Centre, or YNCN (Your Next Career Network).
Networking
To find engineering professionals to network with, check out
- U of T Engineering CONNECT
- U of T Engineering Alumni Mentorship Program
- Ten Thousand Coffees
Before you begin networking, practice your personal introduction and informational interview skills. Register for workshops on these topics at Career Exploration & Education: https://clnx.utoronto.ca/students/overview.htm.
On-Campus Jobs
Work Study Program
The Work Study Program is designed to help you develop new skills while completing your degree. Login to the Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network with your UTORid. On the blue panel on the left, navigate to Jobs & Recruitment -> Work Study -> Work Study. Visit https://future.utoronto.ca/finances/financial-aid/work-study-program/ to learn more.
Teaching Assistant Positions
Visit https://unit1.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/ and your department’s websites for additional postings.
Off-Campus Jobs
Engineering Career Centre (ECC) Job Portal
https://www.uoftengcareerportal.ca/home.htm
- Login ID: Student Engineering
- Password: Engineering
Career Learning Network (CLNx)
https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm
U of T Engineering CONNECT
https://uoftengineeringconnect.ca/
Faculty Positions
https://gradstudies.engineering.utoronto.ca/faculty-postings/
For more information on exploring the job market, book a career advising appointment with Career Exploration & Education.
Book a career advising appointment with Career Exploration & Education for a resume and cover letter review or interview practice. You can also get help with your LinkedIn profile, job search plan, and career exploration.
Contact the Centre for International Experience (CIE). They can advise on visas, study permits, work permits, health insurance, and income taxes.
If you are looking to work in Canada, you may need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). CIE provides additional information about this process on their Social Insurance Number clinic page.
If you have further questions, contact your department-specific graduate administrator. U of T has a large international community, so consider engaging with the International Students’ Caucus (isc@utgsu.ca) or the International Students’ Council.
To learn more about your financial situation, check out U of T’s budgeting calculator. This tool is easy to use and you can go at your own pace. If you are looking for more support, consider booking an appointment with the Financial Aid and Advising office.
For unexpected financial expenses, the School of Graduate Studies has an emergency grant. Further, the Graduate Students’ Union offers a few more grants and bursaries.
The Work Study Program offers the opportunity to build new skills while supplementing your income. Log into the Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network (CLNx), then click on “JOBS & RECRUITMENT” and navigate to “Work Study”.
For awards and scholarships, check out this comprehensive list of university-wide and department-specific opportunities.
If you have further questions, contact your department-specific graduate administrator.
U of T Engineering is committed to fostering a culture of care and support; see their curated list of supports here. Consider connecting with your peers through the GECoS Mental Wellness Commission.
The School of Graduate Studies offers a Wellness Portal in addition to counselling services and wellness workshops.
Do you know of a resource or service that would make a difference for others? Are one of the links broken? Contact Teresa Didiano, Graduate Professional Development Coordinator, Troost ILead at t.didiano@utoronto.ca with your feedback.
While every effort is made to avoid errors, resources do change. This FAQ is intended as an informational resource only.
