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To make the leap, building your own portfolio of work might be your best springboard.
Posted On: December 20, 2016
By Michael Freeman, ORT Science Writer and UHN Trainee
Research trainees hone a set of valuable skills through the course of their scientific studies—mastering arcane theory, developing project plans, succinctly communicating technical ideas to ever-changing audiences, managing resources, time and people—but they often have little evidence to show for them. Coming away from one of the world’s top universities with a master’s or doctorate sounds like a clear route to success, but often these intensely educated scientists experience difficulties as they emerge from the laboratory in search of professional opportunities: difficulties embodied in the words “This position requires 1-2 years of professional experience.”
The Science Career Impact Project (SCIP) may have an answer for scientists facing this challenge. Dr. David Sealey, co-founder and managing director of the non-profit organization, explains, “Science trainees face two major hurdles when seeking non-academic employment outside R&D: marketing themselves effectively, and demonstrating they can do the kinds of work employers will ask them to do. We wondered if applicants would be more successful at landing their first job if they included a portfolio of relevant work with their cover letter and resume.”
This year, SCIP teamed up with UofT’s Life Sciences Career Development Society (LSCDS) to facilitate a unique portfolio-building challenge called the Industry Team Case Study (ITCS). Successful applicants seized the opportunity to engage with healthcare industry professionals and execute projects mirrored in the careers of modern medical science liaisons, regulatory affairs consultants, and business development analysts. Over the course of four months, forward-thinking students with specializations spanning pharmaceutical chemistry to molecular genetics worked to research real world therapeutics and to develop clever regulatory filings, attractive technology transfer pitches, or balanced clinical data presentations for physicians.
With the benefit of guidance from industry-experienced mentors, each team developed reports and presented cases, neatly demonstrating a tranche of skills critical to performing in their target industry. Time will tell if these enhanced portfolios—tangible evidence of workplace value—will do the work of setting ITCS participants apart from their cohorts when applying for competitive jobs.
“Anyone who pursues a master’s and PhD will eventually get that degree if they persevere,” says ITCS enrolee Alex Sin, a PhD candidate in cell biology, “but anything to set yourself apart needs to be acquired outside of the degree.”
Reflecting on her ITCS experience as a mock medical science liaison, biochemistry PhD candidate Kelsey Law explains, “It has certainly raised my curiosity, and it has left me wanting to know more about this world. I would highly recommend this experience to other PhD students if they wish to pursue a non-academic career. It not only opened my eyes, but also expanded my network.”
If you are leaning toward the healthcare industry as career path, make sure your resume and portfolio are too. SCIP and LSCDS will be recruiting for their next ITCS cycle in February 2017.
Research trainees hone a set of valuable skills through the course of their scientific studies—mastering arcane theory, developing project plans, succinctly communicating technical ideas to ever-changing audiences, managing resources, time and people—but they often have little evidence to show for them. Coming away from one of the world’s top universities with a master’s or doctorate sounds like a clear route to success, but often these intensely educated scientists experience difficulties as they emerge from the laboratory in search of professional opportunities: difficulties embodied in the words “This position requires 1-2 years of professional experience.”
The Science Career Impact Project (SCIP) may have an answer for scientists facing this challenge. Dr. David Sealey, co-founder and managing director of the non-profit organization, explains, “Science trainees face two major hurdles when seeking non-academic employment outside R&D: marketing themselves effectively, and demonstrating they can do the kinds of work employers will ask them to do. We wondered if applicants would be more successful at landing their first job if they included a portfolio of relevant work with their cover letter and resume.”
This year, SCIP teamed up with UofT’s Life Sciences Career Development Society (LSCDS) to facilitate a unique portfolio-building challenge called the Industry Team Case Study (ITCS). Successful applicants seized the opportunity to engage with healthcare industry professionals and execute projects mirrored in the careers of modern medical science liaisons, regulatory affairs consultants, and business development analysts. Over the course of four months, forward-thinking students with specializations spanning pharmaceutical chemistry to molecular genetics worked to research real world therapeutics and to develop clever regulatory filings, attractive technology transfer pitches, or balanced clinical data presentations for physicians.
With the benefit of guidance from industry-experienced mentors, each team developed reports and presented cases, neatly demonstrating a tranche of skills critical to performing in their target industry. Time will tell if these enhanced portfolios—tangible evidence of workplace value—will do the work of setting ITCS participants apart from their cohorts when applying for competitive jobs.
“Anyone who pursues a master’s and PhD will eventually get that degree if they persevere,” says ITCS enrolee Alex Sin, a PhD candidate in cell biology, “but anything to set yourself apart needs to be acquired outside of the degree.”
Reflecting on her ITCS experience as a mock medical science liaison, biochemistry PhD candidate Kelsey Law explains, “It has certainly raised my curiosity, and it has left me wanting to know more about this world. I would highly recommend this experience to other PhD students if they wish to pursue a non-academic career. It not only opened my eyes, but also expanded my network.”
If you are leaning toward the healthcare industry as career path, make sure your resume and portfolio are too. SCIP and LSCDS will be recruiting for their next ITCS cycle in February 2017.