BGS Career Development

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Programming Bootcamp: Summer 2019 Registration

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Come learn Python in a fun, beginner-friendly environment!

Dates: Tuesdays, June 25th- August 13th (8 sessions)
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: Smilow Center for Translational Research 8-146AB
Registration deadline: June 7th, 2018 (register @ https://forms.gle/y1szLSBLuY4JNrZ99)

Coffee and light snacks will be provided at each meeting

This is a free course, organized and run by graduate students, that is designed to help scientists in the biological and biomedical sciences gain programming skills. No prior programming experience is assumed — we will start with the absolute basics!

Using Python as a model language, we will cover the core programming concepts needed to perform basic data analysis, with an emphasis on common problems in biology and genomics. Each of the 8 meetings will consist of a short lecture followed by up to 2.5 hours of free-form workshop time, where students will work through a set of programming exercises at their own pace. Working together and asking questions is encouraged!

One of the best features of this course is the peer support: during each workshop, there will be several TAs present to answer questions/clarify the material, and there will be an active online Q&A forum where you can get help after class.

Note that if you have to miss a class or are not able to attend at all, you can still participate online using our Q&A forum.

Piazza Sign up Instructions:
1. Go to piazza.com/upenn/summer2019/programmingbootcamp
2. Join as Student
3. Enter your UPenn email address!

If you are interested in being a TA, or have questions, please email Sammy Klasfeld at sjk314@gmail.com

Programming Bootcamp is sponsored by the Genomics & Computational biology (GCB) graduate program, the Biomedical Graduate Student Association (BGSA), and the Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI).

Dr. Shai Silberberg (NINDS), ‘Assuring a bright future for biomedical research’

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Dr. Shai Silberberg, Program Director and Director of Research Quality at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) will be visiting Penn on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Dr. Silberberg in his role with NINDS has an especially sophisticated understanding of what drives the emphasis by NIH on rigor and transparency. His institute, as well, has been particularly aggressive in experimenting with solutions through pre- and postdoctoral training venues. Dr. Silberberg’s talk, ‘Assuring a bright future for biomedical research’, will take place 10–11:30am in the Austrian Auditorium.

We have worked at Penn on issues of rigor and transparency for some time. Dr. Silberberg’s talk will reinforce much of what we do, but it will also provide specific insight into emerging thoughts and expectations of NIH. Those interested in familiarizing themselves with Dr. Silberberg’s work prior to the talk may read his important publication on reporting scientific outcomes (Landis et al., Nature 490 (2012) 187).

Designing Your PhD: A Career Exploration Workshop

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” Are you wondering what you could do with a PhD? What skills you have that would be valued by a wide range of employers? What kind of post-PhD work life would make you happy? Then come to this interactive workshop led by PhD Career Advisors to help you get started in answering some of these questions using design thinking to manage your career. Whether you’re in the early, middle, or final stages of your PhD program, graduate students will benefit from this workshop by participating in interactive activities to help you get a strong sense of what your interests, skills, and work-values are, gain the confidence to tell your story and explore career paths, and come away with a career roadmap and resources to make the best use of your time in graduate school.

You’ll be using card sorts to prioritize your skills, interests, and values; drawing mind maps on dry-erase boards, and visualizing different versions of a ‘future you’ to help you be creative, strategic, and optimistic as you learn how to leverage your PhD for your future career.” (Via Career Services)

Date: Tuesday, May 21st, 2019
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 PM
Location: Van Pelt Library, Collective Classroom (Room 113)
RSVP: https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/305253/share_preview

Patent Law Panel

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BGS students interested in a career in patent law are invited to attend a panel session hosting 3 BGS alumni who currently work in patent law on May 30th, 2019, 12-1:30 PM in BRB 252. This event is organized by GLIA. Come and learn about the intricacies of a career in patent law, find out how you can explore if a career in patent law is for you, and how you can start preparing to pursue a career in this field. The 30 minute panel will feature:

  • Robert C. Netter
    • CAMB alum who graduated in 2002
    • Currently works as a patent attorney at Dann Dorfman Herrell & Skillman P.C.
  • Laura Gordon
    • NGG alum who graduated in 2011
    • Currently works as an associate attorney at Baker & Hostetler LLP
  • Daniel Scolnick 
    • BMB alum who graduated in 2000
    • Currently works as a Partner in the Health Sciences Department at Pepper Hamilton LLP.

The panel will be followed by a presentation by Tomás Isakowitz (Program Director at Penn’s Center for Innovation) and then open the floor for Q&A to all of the speakers.

RSVP: https://forms.gle/MwzCofGaJPapyE149.
Email Rosa Leon (rosaleon@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) with questions.

Update: Walk-in Wednesdays

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The final Walk-In Wednesday session for the semester is May 8, 2019 in Stemmler Hall Room 105 from 12-2 PM. These 15-minute sessions are great for reviews of your application materials, quick questions about networking, job searching, career exploration, or any other career-related question.

During the summer, walk-ins will be held daily from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Career Services Office. If you can’t attend those walk-ins you can always call Career Services at 215-898-7530 to schedule an appointment with a career counselor. Career Services is located at 3718 Locust Walk, Suite 20, McNeil Building.

PSPDG, “How to Meet with Your Representative”

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The Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG) will host a workshop with Hannah Silverfine from the Union of Concerned Scientists. 

This workshop is aimed at anyone who is interested in being able to effectively lobby for their cause and meet with their representative in government (at the different levels), and make the whole process seem a lot less daunting.

Participants will learn the value of meeting decision makers and the necessary skills to craft a pitch.

When: Thursday, May 9, 2019, 12-1 PM
Where: BRB 251
Lunch provided!
RSVP: https://bit.ly/2VA5juY