Future Smart
Plan ahead with Future Smart: Essential Professional Skills for Graduate Students!
The Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (YSGPS) offers an extensive program of professional skill development for graduate students, free of charge.
Future Smart helps you develop essential skills to facilitate your studies, bolster your career search and support your post-university transition. Whether you are thinking about a future in academia, research or industry, Future Smart helps build a foundation of professional skills to launch you into your future career.
With an expansive selection of program partners across TMU and diverse program offerings, the Future Smart program will complement your grad degree and help you transition to the career you want!
Why Future Smart?
- Future Smart is a value-added program to complement your graduate degree.
- It’s free for all registered TMU graduate students.
- Workshop units are available online or in-person.
- Complete the requirements before you graduate and receive a YSGPS Future Smart Recognition of Completion and a notation on your transcript.
How it works
Participants can choose between a variety of workshop units offered by our program partners under five skills categories and must complete a total of seven units.
Choose workshops from the following five categories:
- Career Skills
- Communication and Personal Effectiveness
- Leadership and Social Innovation
- Research and Information Management
- Teaching and Presentation Skills
Choose workshops offered by our program partners for a total of seven units as follows:
- 2 units from Communication and Personal Effectiveness
- 1 unit from Career Skills
- 1 unit from Teaching and Presentation Skills
- 1 unit from Leadership and Social Innovation OR Research and Information Management
- 2 units as electives from any category
YSGPS and our program partners offer a variety of skills-development programming throughout the academic year. To complete the program, you must attend a minimum of seven workshops (units) from four skills categories.
Please see the “Eligible Programs” tab and the Grad Event Calendar for Future Smart eligible workshops and events.
Career Skills
This category includes soft skills such as networking and business etiquette, and hard skills such as converting your C.V. to a resumé, work-search strategies and using social media and branding in your job search.
Communication and Personal Effectiveness
This category covers both oral and written communications, including a variety of interpersonal skills such as listening, assertiveness, influence, persuasion, empathy, diplomacy and non-verbal communication. Personal effectiveness also promotes self-awareness to evaluate strengths and weaknesses, self-reflection and setting appropriate personal and professional goals. It also includes topics covering personal well-being.
Leadership and Social Innovation
Under this category, students can explore leadership and/or social innovation.
Leadership includes themes such as shared vision, emotional intelligence, managing change, handling conflict, negotiation, leadership styles, resilience, strengths, motivation, personal values, life purpose, leading self and more, helping students transform from scholars to scholars influencers. This category also includes mentoring.
Social innovation begins with recognizing the dignity and capacity for self-determination of people who have been impacted adversely by social structures and power. It then seeks novel and transformative solutions to social problems and conditions in partnership with those living in marginalized or disadvantaged circumstances. Students are encouraged to drive and lead change.
Research and Information Management
This category covers research, organizational and project management skills, and managing the environment in which research seeks, understands and adapts to new knowledge. Intellectual property issues and ethics fall under this category.
Teaching and Presentation Skills
This area covers classroom teaching, planning effective tutorials, group facilitation and any situation requiring an explanation of complex concepts related to a discipline. These workshops assist in the ability to provide clear and explicit instructions facilitating others’ understanding and learning.
The Future Smart program collaborates with a variety of skills-development providers across campus. Please view each program for workshops and events eligible for Future Smart.
The Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre (opens in new window) offers an extensive suite of workshops and events (opens in new window) to assist students with their career development, including webinars and online panels with recruiters. Please check the Career Centre Calendar (opens in new window) regularly for updates.
Graduate students can also book a personal 1:1 appointment (opens in new window) with a career consultant and/or a resumé and online profile advisor. Graduate career advising is available.
Note: Please read workshop descriptions carefully to ensure they meet your individual graduate needs, as there are sessions for both undergraduate and graduate students and some for both. You may apply a maximum of one personal appointment to your Future Smart program.
GRADCareer Skills Series for Grad Students*NEW*
GRADCareer Skills is a new series of three online workshops designed to give grad students and postdocs practical skills to assist in their career journeys. Register to take part in one or more workshops!
REGISTER (external link, opens in new window)
1) Building a Career Action Plan for Grad Students
February 12, 2025 / 12-1pm
Description: A career action plan is a roadmap that will help you reach your goals as you prepare to transition out of graduate school or a postdoc position. In this webinar, we will review the significance of developing a career action plan along with the three broad components of creating a career action plan.
2) Building Your LinkedIn Brand for Grad Students (Part I)
March 19, 2025 / 12-1pm
Description: LinkedIn can be an effective tool to help you meet your career goals. It is important, however, to build your profile strategically to ensure you convey your professional brand accurately to your target audience. In this webinar, we will review the various components of building a powerful LinkedIn profile.
3) Leveraging Your LinkedIn Profile for Grad Students (Part II)
April 30, 2025 / 12-1pm
Description: LinkedIn can be used for several purposes including networking, self-marketing, and career exploration. In this workshop, we will delve into the various strategies you can employ to leverage your LinkedIn profile effectively.
The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching promotes, guides and celebrates educational excellence through teaching development, curriculum enhancement and creative approaches to learning and teaching.
The Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI) is recognized and aligned with the Future Smart program under the “Leadership and Social Innovation” category. The leadership component explores themes such as shared vision, emotional intelligence, managing change, handling conflict, negotiation, leadership styles, resilience, strengths, motivation, personal values, life purpose, leading self and more, to help students transform from scholars to influencers.
To earn one unit for the “Leadership and Social Innovation” category, complete ONE of the following:
- Participate in two 45-minute GLI personal advising sessions by completing this (google form) Contact Form (external link) to schedule an appointment. If you are interested in earning a unit for your advising sessions, notify the director, who will email a confirmation of completion for your Future Smart file. Virtual appointments are available.
- Review three GLI videos. All videos can be found on the Leadership Matters Video Series page, on a variety of leadership themes, and complete the following (google form) Action Plan (external link) for each video. You will receive an email confirmation of completion for your Future Smart file.
- Participate in a GLI leadership workshop or webinar (opens in new window) .
WINTER 2025 GLI WORKSHOPS (ONLINE)
1) Discovering Growth through Failure
WHEN: Jan. 15
2) Confronting Impostor Syndrome
WHEN: Feb. 5
3) Navigating Conflict for Grad Success
WHEN: Mar. 5
4) Resisting Procrastination & Perfectionism
WHEN: Apr. 3
5) Transforming Self-Criticism into Self-Compassion
WHEN: May 7 / 1:30-2:30pm / online
REGISTER (external link, opens in new window)
6) Tackling Negative Emotions
WHEN: June 4 / 1:30-2:30pm / online
REGISTER (external link, opens in new window)
GRAD THRIVING IN ACTION (GTiA) (opens in new window)
Thriving is like a muscle, practice makes progress! Join Dr. Diana Brecher and Venus Bali for the Winter 2025 series of online workshops, designed with grad students and postdocs in mind. Build skills and learn habits that will support you along your graduate journey and beyond! Register once to attend one or more sessions.
(google form) REGISTER (external link, opens in new window)
1) Optimism, Hope and Celebrating Your Accomplishments
WHEN: January 20
2) Character Strengths & Mindful Time Management Fundamentals
WHEN: February 4
3) Micro-Resilience Strategies and Building a More Effective Writing Routine
WHEN: March 25 / 1:30-3:00 pm
4) Put Wellness into Action and Navigate and Build Your Future Plans with Purpose
WHEN: April 22 / 1:30-3:00 pm
International Student Support (opens in new window) (ISS) works to foster a sense of belonging and community for all students who are new to Canada and those seeking a global experience on campus.
ISS welcomes and supports newcomers to Canada, helps them connect to TMU’s vibrant campus community, and supports them in reaching their academic, personal and professional goals.
The team of International Student Advisors are Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs). They can help through group immigration advising, drop-in hours and one-on-one personal development appointments.
Mitacs Training: offered online
Mitacs Training (external link, opens in new window) provides professional development training to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows across Canada at no charge.
There are eight unique course bundles, each consisting of a self-paced, online module and its corresponding instructor-led session. The course bundle themes include: Networking skills; project and time management; reconciliation and EDI; communication skills; career planning; R&D managment; leadership skills; writing and presentation skills.
To register for a specific course, visit the Mitacs EDGE portal.
REGISTER FOR MITACS TRAINING (external link, opens in new window)
Check the Mitacs calendar (external link, opens in new window) to find upcoming workshops. These popular workshops fill up fast, so register early to secure a spot! Mitacs workshops are eligible for Future Smart credit (print the MITACS certificate of completion and attach it to your Future Smart passport when you submit it).
The TMU Library (opens in new window) offers workshops on various topics throughout the year as well as individual appointments. Some workshops qualify for the Future Smart passport. See the Library’s online workshops schedule for all upcoming events.
YSGPS/Library Winter & Spring 2025 Online Workshops
1) Literature Searching Skills for Graduate Students
WHEN: Jan. 22
2) Research Data Management for Grad Students
WHEN: Feb. 13
3) Getting Started with LaTeX for Grad Students
WHEN: Feb. 20
4) Canadian Copyright Essentials for Grad Students
WHEN: Feb. 27
5) An Introduction to Scholarly Publishing for Grad Students
WHEN: Mar. 18, 2025 / 1-2 p.m.
REGISTER (external link, opens in new window)
6) Evidence Synthesis Essentials for Grad Students
WHEN: May 1, 2025 / 10-11 a.m.
Student Learning Support (SLS) offers programs designed for graduate students to assist in developing graduate-focused academic skills:
- individual assistance (a maximum of one session can apply to Future Smart)
- workshops
- group sessions
- dissertation coaching
- dissertation retreats
- graduate write-a-thon
- online resources
Note: "Writing Support" on the SLS website is geared toward undergraduate students. Please refer to "Graduate Student Support" for graduate student offerings. Not all offerings qualify for Future Smart.
Many YSGPS events and workshops qualify for Future Smart. Please check the GRAD calendar regularly for upcoming events (opens in new window) and the Student Engagement (opens in new window) page on the YSGPS website.
GRADTALKS WINTER ONLINE SESSION
Thinking Ahead: Is a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Your Future?
The Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is excited to present the Winter 2025 session of GRADTalks!
Thinking ahead, no matter where you are in your graduate journey, is crucial for planning your next steps into your career. A postdoctoral fellowship can be a key opportunity in an academic or research-focused career, but it may not be the right choice for everyone.
Join us for an engaging panel discussion with recent and current postdocs, who will share their experiences, reflect on the factors that influenced their decision to pursue a postdoc, and offer advice to graduate students in master’s and PhD programs. You'll hear real-life examples of how a postdoctoral fellowship can shape career paths in academia, industry, and beyond.
Whether you're just starting your graduate program or already considering your post-PhD options, this event will provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about your future.
All TMU graduate students and postdocs are invited! This event qualifies for the Future Smart program.
DETAILS: February 25 / 12:00 - 1:30pm / ONLINE
REGISTER (external link, opens in new window)
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WINTER 2025 GRADSKILLS WORKSHOPS (online)
Graduate school can be a stressful and demanding experience as you balance academic progress and build professional relationships to serve you in your future career. GRADSkills workshops help you build your toolbox as a grad student in various competencies. Join us as we delve into some of the most important and pressing topics on navigating academic life as a grad student!
1) Navigating through Conflict / Feb. 3
2) Giving and Receiving Feedback / March 17 / 1:30 - 3:00pm
You can apply other workshops, seminars and events towards your Future Smart passport. If your department or the university is offering a workshop that you would like to apply towards your Future Smart passport, please email l2mutic@torontomu.ca beforehand with details. If approved, you may apply the unit toward the completion of your passport.
Check back on this tab often, as it is updated periodically throughout the year. Bring your Future Smart passport to be signed at in-person workshops or attach the confirmation of attendance to your passport for online workshops.
Past events 2019-2020
GRADTalks Spring 2020: It's Your Career—Take Charge!
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills)
When: March 10, 2020
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Jack Layton Leadership School (2-day event)
(Future Smart Categories: Communication & Personal Effectiveness; Leadership & Social Innovation)
When: February 20-21, 2020
Hosted by the Jack Layton Leadership School
GRAD Contests Awards Reception
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills-Networking)
When: Feb. 6, 2020
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
GRADTalks Fall 2019: Building Resilience
(Future Smart Category: Communication & Personal Effectiveness)
When: November 4, 2019
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
GRADShowcase 2019
(Future Smart Categories: various)
When: August 27, 2019
Co-sponsored by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Past events 2018-2019
GRADTalks Winter 2019: Leadership Skills—From Scholar to Influencer
(Future Smart Category: Communication & Personal Effectiveness)
When: February 28, 2019
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Jack Layton Leadership School (2-day event)
(Future Smart Category: Communication & Personal Effectiveness)
When: February 22-23, 2019
Hosted by the Jack Layton Leadership School
GRAD Contests Awards Reception
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills-Networking)
When: Feb. 7, 2019
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
PhD@Work: Maximize Your Career Readiness!
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills)
When: Jan. 31, 2019
Hosted by the Career & Co-op Centre and Faculty of Arts
Graduate Research and Writing Institute (1-day event)
(Future Smart Categories: Various)
When: Nov. 23, 2018
Hosted by Student Learning Support
GRADTalks Fall 2018: Communication Skills—Expressing Yourself
(Future Smart Categories: Communication & Personal Effectiveness; Career Skills)
When: October 17, 2018
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
GRADShowcase 2018
(Future Smart Categories: Various)
When: Aug. 28, 2018
Co-sponsored by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Past events 2017-2018
GRADTalks Winter 2018: Growing Your Network
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills)
When: March 1, 2018
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Community Transformation Café : Women's Leadership
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills)
When: 3 sessions: Feb. 27 / Mar. 6 / Mar. 13, 2018
Hosted by the Faculty of Community Services
GRAD Community Transformation Café Workshop
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills-Networking)
When: Feb. 15, 2018
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Faculty of Community Services
GRAD Contests Awards Reception
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills-Networking)
When: Feb. 6, 2018
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Office of Social Innovation
GRADTalks Fall 2017: Charting Your Career Journey
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills)
When: Oct. 17, 2017
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Graduate Wellness Workshop Series-Fall 2017
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Student Learning Support and the Centre for Student Development and Counselling. (Future Smart Category: Communication & Personal Effectiveness)
- Finding Self-Confidence: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
When: Oct. 13, 2017 - Postponing Procrastination
When: Oct. 26, 2017 - Thesis Anonymous
Share challenges and learn tips in this one-off support group
When: Nov. 10, 2017
GRADShowcase 2017
(Future Smart Category: Various)
When: Aug. 29, 2017
Co-sponsored by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Past events 2016-2017
Graduate Wellness Workshop Series
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Student Learning Support and the Centre for Student Development and Counselling. (Future Smart Category: Communication and Personal Effectiveness)
- Balancing Healthy Relationships and Graduate School: Learning how to manage conflict in your relationship
When: Friday, March 3, 2017 - Finding Self-Confidence: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
When: Friday, March 17, 2017 - Revitalizing your Graduate Experience: Managing your time and energy better
When: Friday, April 7, 2017
GRADTalks Winter 2017: Achieving GRAD Balance
(Future Smart Category: Communication and Personal Effectiveness)
When: Feb. 28, 2017
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Get Going Workshops
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Student Learning Support and the Centre for Student Development and Counselling. (Future Smart Category: Communication and Personal Effectiveness)
1. Fueling Up: Stress, Sleep and Emotional Well-Being
When: Monday, November 21, 2016
2. Get Talking: Managing Stress Effectively
When: Tuesday, November 8, 2016
3. Postpone Procrastination Workshop
When: Oct. 27, 2016
GRADTalks Fall 2016: Professional Skills: Tools for Success after Grad School
(Future Smart Category: Career Skills)
When: Oct. 25, 2016
Hosted by the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Q - How can Future Smart help my graduate journey?
The program complements your graduate degree and can help facilitate your studies, career search, post-university transition and success in your future career, whether you are considering academic, research or industry employment.
Q - How do I register for Future Smart?
Register using the (google form) online form (external link) and print your Future Smart passport. Bring your passport to be signed when you attend a workshop provided by one of our program providers. Once you have attended seven workshops (from four skills categories), you will receive a document of completion and a notation on your transcript.
Note: some units are offered online as well. Print out the certificate of completion for online courses and attach it to your passport.
Q - Am I eligible for the Future Smart program?
Future Smart is open to all enrolled graduate students at TMU University.
Q - I don’t have a Future Smart passport. Where can I find it?
The passport document is available for download on the registration form. If you have not received it, please contact Leslie Mutic at l2mutic@torontomu.ca.
Q - When will my notation appear on my transcript?
Please contact Leslie Mutic at l2mutic@torontomu.ca if you have not received your notation.
Q - How long do I have to complete the Future Smart program?
Students must complete the Future Smart program prior to graduation.
Q - What workshops are eligible for Future Smart?
Please see the “Eligible Programs” tab for upcoming events that are eligible for Future Smart. Contact Leslie Mutic at l2mutic@torontomu.ca if you are unsure.
Questions? For more information contact:
Leslie Mutic
Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Toronto Metropolitan University
l2mutic@torontomu.ca