BGS Career Development

Making It Count!

Networking

Nature: “Why earning a PhD is an advantage in today’s industry job market”

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In this Nature article, one scientist describes the panic he felt when, during his fourth year of graduate studies, he was told his PhD could pose a liability to pursuing an industry career. Partially because of declining opportunities for full professorship in academia, he had decided to pursue a career in industry only to be told that hiring managers perceive PhDs as overqualified and too independent.

The author describes the steps he took to actively combat misperceptions that might arise when submitting a CV alone – he supplemented online applications with networking events and informational interviews. Ultimately, the author credits the problem-solving skills he gained in graduate school with the positions he holds today – consultant to Fortune 500 companies and manager of three biotechnology startups.

Read more here.

BGSA & BGS Alumni Networking Happy Hour

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Are you interested in learning more about how you can apply your Ph.D. training to careers beyond the bench? BGSA and BGS are hosting a mixer event so that you can interact with former BGS trainees who have gone on to be successful in alternate careers! Join us for drinks, food, and great conversation with our alums! RSVP to secure your spot in this event!

Friday, April 26, 2019, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Jordan Medical Education Center Lobby

Please RSVP here – note that registration will be closed at 50 participants.

Email Rebecca Lopez for more information, or if you are no longer able to attend.

BGS Professional Skills Series: “Informational Interviews”

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Next up in the BGS Professional Skills Series: “Informational Interviews”! This talk will take place Tuesday, April 16, 2019  from 4:00 – 5:00 PM in Barchi Library (140 John Morgan). Co-hosted by PGWISE and EE Just. Light refreshments will be served!

Dr. Helen N. Pho, Associate Director at Penn Career Services, will address the following topics:

  • How to prepare for an informational interview, including what questions to ask
  • How to create a good impression when answering the “tell me about yourself” question
  • How to ensure that your networking conversation is beneficial to you and meaningful for the professional

To register, click here or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:

https://forms.gle/GtwJL5zcoeTMApy2A

If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Lopez.

Nature: “From academia to industry: seven tips for scientists making the leap”

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In this Nature article, Dr. Crystal Upperman discusses her own career path and provides tips for diversifying one’s CV as a doctoral candidate. Briefly outlined, the seven steps for making the leap to industry include:

  1. Learn and inventory your soft skills
  2. Learn project management
  3. Less time thinking, more time doing
  4. Network within and outside your discipline
  5. Learn technologies that have cross-applicability
  6. Simplify your science
  7. Advertise and market yourself

Read the specifics on each step here.

Clarion Consultancy: PROPEL 2019

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Clarion, a Boston-based life sciences strategy consulting firm, will hold its 2019 leadership training program for current advanced degree candidates on Wednesday, June 12th – Friday, June 14th, 2019.

PROPEL is a 3-day summer program to give an insight into life science strategy consulting with Clarion.

It is open to the following candidates:

  • PhD candidates (completing program in Spring 2020)
  • Post-doctoral researchers
  • MD candidates (completing program in Spring 2020)
  • MD residents and fellows

Candidates must have expertise in disciplines related to life sciences, medicine, or other areas of quantitative research. To apply for the program and for more information, please see the attached flyer or visit the PROPEL website.

The application deadline is Sunday, March 31st, 2019 at 11:59 PM ET