Contributor: Sabrina Cao
When I first started my search for a MSc supervisor, I wasn’t sure what I should be looking for. There’s a lot about research programs that I didn’t understand, and that I’m still learning about now. Here are some of the questions that I think are most poignant during your search, which I used:
Do their interests align with yours?
I think this is always the best place to start, because you want to be clear about your interests, as well. Beyond the general topic, are you also interested in what they are studying, and the direction they are taking it? Are you interested in the methodologies that they take?
Are there opportunities for collaboration on projects in the lab, or does work primarily happen in silos?
Now, depending on your interests and how you feel you work best, you may look for different answers to this question. For me, I found that the exposure to different projects and opportunities to lend a hand in the lab have taught me a lot more about the research process than anything else. As a result, when I ask this question, I’m looking to see if the supervisor fosters collaboration amongst their students.
How does the supervisor approach conferences/presentations?
As a career academic, conferences and presentations will get you on the right track, meeting with people in your field, and giving you the opportunity to share your research. Depending on your career path, this may be important to you. Understanding how the supervisor supports these opportunities, both financially and as a motivator, can be insightful.
What does the grad program look like? What classes do their students take?
Although this isn’t directly related to the supervisor, getting an idea about what coursework their students take can be helpful for deciding if you like that program.
How are their students usually funded?
In my opinion, one of the most important questions. Clarify if there are research assistant or teaching assistant roles that are expected of you. These are all part of your experience as a student, and they certainly dictate how you spend your time.
What is their supervisory style?
Things to get at this include: how often they meet with their students, how often the lab meets as a group, the size of their lab, and how they would describe themselves. While a more hands-off supervisor may allow you to have more autonomy over your project, there could be delays in moving your project forward, if meetings aren’t frequent enough, or if they have a lot on their plate. Other students in their lab can help to answer this question.
How many of their students are funded by external awards, and which awards?
This can be a good indication of productivity and supervisor support, but not always. It is nice to learn which awards they encourage their students to apply for, and it may give you some ideas for yourself.
These are the questions that I try to lead with in meetings with potential supervisors, to give myself a big picture idea of how working with that supervisor might go. There are many field-specific questions that you might have for them, which should also be included in your first meeting. In my perspective, meetings with potential supervisors are a great opportunity to gain a little expertise from a leader in the field. I think it’s always nice to remember that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you; look for your best fit!
Good luck to everyone looking to apply to graduate programs this year, and hopefully this post helped!