Biopharma Research

Sarah
Pick

Attending BIO International Convention

I recently attended BIO’s International Convention in Washington, DC and it was quite an exciting week. Over 15,000 people attended from 48 states and 65 countries.  I’ve written about maximizing your networking at scientific conferences, and I took a colleague’s advice by volunteering at...


Andrea
H.

Working with Recruiters

When I was looking for a job last year, I applied endlessly (online) to positions that seemed to fit perfectly with my skill set.  Even with inside referrals, I found it very difficult to get a response from hiring managers, especially with large companies. They were most likely overwhelmed wit...


Andrea
H.

Adjusting to a new norm

The official transition from academia to industry had been incredibly enlightening.  I definitely appreciate those summer internships that we all completed at various pharma and tech companies (working on our “lab tans,” while our friends enjoyed the summer lifeguarding and developing real ...


Marielena
Mata

A new way to find a job? The Bio Careers Virtual Job Summit

After a nice workout, I like to eat breakfast in front of my computer and read the Bio Careers blogs.  Two blogs caught my attention this week.  The first one, by Wenny Lyn,  “Scientists and social media” discussed how scientists may not be comfortable with innovative tools for co...


Maida
Taylor

BLOG: Boosting, bragging, boasting or baloney: How do you talk about yourself?

You travel to another city for a day of interviews.  Often, you will be parked in a room, and a parade of people rotates through.  HR, your direct report, people above you in the hierarchy and people below.  Lab people, lawyer people, likeable people, and some not so much.   And ...


Andrea
H.

Away From the Bench

Are you sure you’re ok with going from helping injured soldiers walk again to helping people look better?”  I’m willing to bet that very few people have heard this as an interview question.  But it was a valid (albeit surprising) question in my case.  The vice president intervie...


Maida
Taylor

Playing Well with Others: Lessons learned from an MD in the Pharmaceutical Industry?

The lessons I learned transitioning into Industry are simple, and similar advice can be found at any career-counseling site in postings about office ethics and etiquette.   1.    Listen first, ask questions next, render your opinion last.


Marielena
Mata

On Father’s Day– the personal wars that shape our careers

I was 8 years old the first time I saw my father cry at my brother’s college graduation.  In an instant, I learned what pride looked like and vowed to make my father proud.  When I was 13, I saw my father cry for the second time as, with a broken voice, he shared the news of my grandmoth...


Marielena
Mata

Teamwork: Lessons from Baseball

After 28 years, in 2008 the Phillies finally clinched the World Series and with it, my attention for the sport.  Mind you, I have been watching baseball since I can remember.  Having grown up in Venezuela (the second highest source of players for Major League Baseball, thank you very much!...


Maida
Taylor

Do You Have a Love /Hate Relationship With PowerPoint?

How much do you rely on Powerpoint?  How much does your team rely on PowerPoint for training and education, promotion, etc?  The more important question is do you really need PowerPoint at all.  I have been pondering this question for the past 10 years (as if I have nothing better to ...