Advice to Students: Network and Plan

BRANDON, MB – A Brandon University (BU) associate professor says students must think strategically during their education journey in order to maximize job opportunities after graduation. Dr. Rhonda Hinther, Department of History, made her comments during a keynote address at the New Frontiers graduate history conference at York University in Toronto, a premier annual event that draws participants from North America and Europe.

“It breaks my heart when students say they can’t do anything with a PhD except move into academia,” says Dr. Hinther. “My advice is to think strategically while in university. Develop a broad professional network, volunteer or seek out paid part-time employment that is complementary to your career goals, and think creatively about the range of skills and experience gained during your studies.   Ask yourself how you can translate what you enjoy doing into job offers and a career.”

Dr. Hinther holds a PhD in History from McMaster University. Prior to joining BU in the fall of 2013, she worked in public history, serving as Director of Research and Curation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in Winnipeg MB and, before that, as Curator of Western Canadian History at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) in Gatineau QC.

“Public history encompasses museums, historic sites, film and TV,” says Dr. Hinther, “any efforts to make history accessible to the public, and hopefully a fun and fulfilling learning experience. It’s a great job opportunity for anyone with an academic background in history.”

She has played a role in several historical film projects, including If Day:  The Nazi Invasion of Winnipeg, Black Field, and The Oldest Profession in Winnipeg:  the ‘Red Light District of 1909-1912. Her most recent film project released in 2013, Ukrainian Labour Temple, is based on her PhD dissertation research about pro-communist and radical Ukrainians in Canada, which is also the subject of her forthcoming book. Dr. Hinther is currently researching leftist radicals interned in Canada during World War ll, through a Brandon University Research Council grant. This fall, as part of a course she will be teaching on oral history, she and BU students will begin gathering oral histories about Brandon events from the past 50 to 60 years.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Rhonda Hinther Associate Professor, Dept. of History 204-727-7421 hintherr@brandonu.ca	Glen Kirby Communications Officer 204-727-9762 kirbyg@brandonu.ca

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