Navigating Graduate School Success: Insights from Dr. Zachariah Mathew's Journey

Graduate education is a transformative experience, one that goes far beyond mere academics. In the latest episode of Victors on Grad School, Dr. Zachariah Mathew, Senior International Officer and Director of the Center for Global Engagement at the University of Michigan Flint, sat down with Dr. Christopher Lewis to unravel his unique educational and professional journey. From his roots in India to accomplishing multiple advanced degrees in the United States, Dr. Mathew's story exemplified the essence of perseverance, mentorship, and making meaningful connections. This blog distills his advice and experiences into actionable insights that prospective graduate students can take to heart.

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Discovering Graduate Education as a Journey

Dr. Mathew’s journey exemplifies how graduate education is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Reflecting on his initial career as a physical education teacher in India, he admitted going in “thinking I knew it all.” However, through mentors like his school principal, he discovered the value of continuous learning and how education is a voyage enriched by companions. Understanding that he "did not know enough to teach" and that more formal education would help him better serve his students, Dr. Mathew pursued graduate studies—eventually crossing continents to the United States.

The Importance of Finding the Right Fit

Choosing the right graduate program isn’t just about prestige. Dr. Mathew discussed how he meticulously researched and prioritized faculty expertise, affordability, and alignment with his passions during his transition from India to South Dakota State University. This phase taught him that graduate school decisions depend on the information available at the time—a reminder that the “right” choice always involves reflection on personal goals and circumstances.

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Leveraging Mentorship for Growth

A resounding theme of Dr. Mathew’s interview was the transformative power of mentorship. From advisers to administrators, mentors played a pivotal role in helping him synthesize his skills and switch career paths. For aspiring graduate students, seeking guidance from mentors—faculty members or even campus staff—can be immensely impactful.

Final Thoughts: Graduate School as a Laboratory of Growth

Dr. Mathew emphasized that “graduate education is what you make of it.” Perspective-building, experiential learning, and finding ways to apply classroom knowledge to the real world define success. Graduate school should be seen not only as a means to a degree but as a platform to become uniquely capable of solving problems and thriving in a globalized world.

 

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]:
Welcome to Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]:
Welcome back to Victor's in Grad School. I'm your host, doctor Christopher Lewis, director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint. Really excited to have you back again this week. And as always, every week, we are on a journey together. And I call it a journey because it truly is a journey. You've made a decision that you're starting to think about graduate school. Maybe you've already applied and you've gotten accepted. Maybe you are in graduate school and you're looking for that light at