On May 22nd, 2012, we will host our 5th Futures in Life Science Event of 2012. The focus of this panel is Clinical, Regulatory, and Medical Affairs focused roles within the life sciences area. We are fortunate to have an esteemed panel of leaders in the life sciences space who will share information about their career paths, what they do, and their insights for individuals starting in their career. The panel includes: Eric Silberstein, CEO, TrialNetworks, Joanne Lager MD, Project Head for PI3K Inhibitors, Sanofi Oncology, and Shawna Cullen, PhD, Clinical Trial Head - Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Laurie Halloran, President and CEO, Halloran Consulting Group will moderate the panel. The link to register is here: http://fils52012.eventbrite.com/

The event will be held at the NEW MassBio Offices, at 300 Technology Square, 8th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139 from 5:30-8:00pm

More Details about the Series:

Propel Careers, MassBio, and the MassBioEd have joined together to organize a series of networking and panel events focused on raising awareness of career paths that exist in life sciences for individuals with advanced degrees. This Futures in Life Science program will bring together experts across a wide range of disciplines and functional areas within the life science industry, who detail their roles and provide a rich context for the audience to gain a clear understanding of the skills, aptitudes, competencies, and personalities that thrive in their particular functions. Attendance for this program is open to current graduate students, post doctoral fellows, and medical residents who are interested in careers in the life sciences industry. To see other events in the series, click here: http://www.propelcareers.com/index.cfm/events/ About the Organizers

MassBio - MassBio, a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation's oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 600 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services. To learn more, visit: http://www.massbio.org.

MassBioEd - The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation, founded in 2001, is a non-profit charitable organization committed to supporting science and biotechnology education in Massachusetts through school programs, workforce training, and lifelong learning. MassBioEd is closely affiliated with the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and helps the Council in fulfilling its goals to nurture the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) pipeline in Massachusetts. To learn more, visit http://www.massbioed.org.

Propel Careers - Propel Careers is a Boston based life sciences search and career development firm founded in 2009 to foster entrepreneurship and to cultivate leaders in the life sciences industry. Propel recognizes the importance of job creation and career development opportunities to the success of the industry as well as to next generation of industry leaders. The mission of Propel Careers is to make connections that fuel innovation, and we do this through placement, networking, coaching and mentorship. To learn more, visit http://www.propelcareers.com.

Of all the careers available in the life science industry, research and development often seems the most attractive and straightforward point for academic researchers to enter the private sector. But what are the differences between academic and industrial research? What is the best way to get a job at a biotech or pharmaceutical company? What are the differences between working at a startup compared to a large biotech/pharma? A distinguished panel of PhDs from a number of local companies discussed these questions and many others at the Futures in Life Sciences Series held at the new MassBio offices in Technology Square, Cambridge, on April 17th, 2012.

The panel discussion/ networking event series, organized by Propel Careers, MassBio, and MassBioEd, was designed to raise the awareness of individuals with advanced degrees to the variety of career paths in the life sciences. The panelists included Kenneth J. Olivier Jr., Ph.D., Director of Toxicology, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Erin Whalen, Ph.D., Lab Head and Project Team Leader, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Greg McKenzie, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Sample6 Technologies, and Heather Blanchette, Ph.D., Director of Nonclinical DMPK and Bioanalysis, Cubist Pharmaceuticals. The discussion was guided by Lauren Celano, Founder and CEO of Propel Careers. Emmanuel College, Averica Discovery Services, and the Massachusetts chapter of the Association of Women in Science sponsored the evening's event.

The experience of the panelists, which spans the industry from startups to established mid-sized companies to pharmaceutical giants, gave the audience valuable insight into how to succeed in these distinct environments. A major difference between academia and industry is the focus on teamwork. Therapeutic development is a more complex, more expensive, and more regulated endeavor than academic research; it requires the coordinated efforts of hundreds of people. Success in industry includes not only performing your assigned responsibilities efficiently, but also facilitating the success of others as much as possible. Companies have a more pragmatic view on data generation: speed and efficiency are more valued than aesthetic perfection.

What are the critical elements for obtaining a position in industrial R&D? Technical competence is the minimal qualification. Unlike academic institutions, companies are focused on delivering tangible products under financial constraints so qualified candidates will already need to have specific skills before applying for a position. As equally important as technical competence is culture fit. As previously mentioned, the team is the functional group of industry, so working well with others on a daily basis is paramount. Nowhere is this more apparent than at a startup, where the success of a fledging company rests on the ability of a very small group of people to overcome challenges large and small, together. In this environment success entails ignoring formal job descriptions and doing even the most menial tasks to advance the big picture as fast as possible.

Teamwork and communication skills play an equally important role in larger organizations. At larger companies individual responsibilities tend to be more compartmentalized than at smaller companies, so teamwork involves working with people not only in different departments, but also at sites often physically removed from your own. Outsourcing and strategic alliances with other companies are becoming more commonplace so the ability to listen and empathize with others is critical.

Given the emphasis on soft skills and teamwork in industry, obtaining relevant experience though volunteering in student organizations, professional associations, or even part-time internships is invaluable for enhancing your resume. These activities also serve as an important source of networking contacts.

The panel unanimously underscored the importance of networking to their professional survival. Like many business sectors nowadays the biotech and pharmaceutical industry is facing economic challenges that have permanently altered the concept of job security. While the industry remains healthy, the new reality is that lifelong employment at a single corporation is a relic of the past, and everybody needs to have a network to call on at all times. While jobs are advertised publicly, hiring managers often fill them based on "warm" personal recommendations from colleagues rather than "cold" resumes. While network connections get you consideration, ultimately the quality of your work and your professional reputation ensures your longevity. Conversely, negative associations are difficult to escape in the closely linked Boston biotech/pharma community, so avoid burning bridges. In addition to general networking events like the Propel/MassBio/MassBioEd Futures in Life Sciences Series, there are also more specific ones organized by professional discipline that are good places to develop contacts in your field of interest.

The next event in the Futures in Life Science Series, on careers in Clinical Development, Regulatory, and Medical Affairs, will be held on May 22nd at the MassBio offices in Technology Square. To register, see link: http://fils52011.eventbrite.com/. We look forward to seeing you there!

On April 17th, 2012, we will host our 4th Futures in Life Science Event of 2012. The focus of this panel is research and development focused roles within the life sciences area. We are fortunate to have an esteemed panel of leaders in the life sciences space who will share information about their career paths, what they do, and their insights for individuals starting in their career. The panel includes: Kenneth J. Olivier Jr., PhD, Director of Toxicology, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals; Erin Whalen, Lab Head and Project Team Leader, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research; Greg Mckenzie, Senior Scientist, Sample 6 Technologies; and Heather Blanchette, Director of Nonclinical DMPK and Bioanalysis, Cubist Pharmaceuticals. Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers will moderate the panel.

The link to register is here: http://fils42012.eventbrite.com/

The event will be held at the NEW MassBio Offices, at 300 Technology Square, 8th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139 from 5:30-8:00pm

More Details about the Series:

Propel Careers, MassBio, and the MassBioEd have joined together to organize a series of networking and panel events focused on raising awareness of career paths that exist in life sciences for individuals with advanced degrees. This Futures in Life Science program will bring together experts across a wide range of disciplines and functional areas within the life science industry, who detail their roles and provide a rich context for the audience to gain a clear understanding of the skills, aptitudes, competencies, and personalities that thrive in their particular functions. Attendance for this program is open to current graduate students, post doctoral fellows, and medical residents who are interested in careers in the life sciences industry. To see other events in the series, click here: http://www.propelcareers.com/index.cfm/events/

About the Organizers

MassBio - MassBio, a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation's oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 600 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services. To learn more, visit: http://www.massbio.org.

MassBioEd - The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation, founded in 2001, is a non-profit charitable organization committed to supporting science and biotechnology education in Massachusetts through school programs, workforce training, and lifelong learning. MassBioEd is closely affiliated with the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and helps the Council in fulfilling its goals to nurture the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) pipeline in Massachusetts. To learn more, visit http://www.massbioed.org.

Propel Careers - Propel Careers is a Boston based life sciences search and career development firm founded in 2009 to foster entrepreneurship and to cultivate leaders in the life sciences industry. Propel recognizes the importance of job creation and career development opportunities to the success of the industry as well as to next generation of industry leaders. The mission of Propel Careers is to make connections that fuel innovation, and we do this through placement, networking, coaching and mentorship. To learn more, visit http://www.propelcareers.com.

On March 20th 2012, over 100 graduate students, post docs and medical residents joined us at Genzyme Center in Kendall Sq Cambridge for the 3rd Futures in Life Science Event of 2012. To view a picture video from the event, click here: http://video214.com/play/NhVWW108Sbi20irU03SPQw/s/dark. Below is the blog writeup from the event.

Many people involved in academic medicine and research are interested in shifting to more business-oriented positions in the private sector. However, the path to such careers is unclear. How do you convince prospective employers of your qualifications in a discipline with which you have limited experience? The March gathering of the Futures in Life Sciences Career Panel, presented by Propel Careers, MassBio, and MassBioEd, discussed these questions and more. It concentrated on Marketing, Product Management, and Business Development careers. The panel included Catherine Thut, Ph.D., Director, Strategic Alliances, Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Eric Olson, MBA, MS, Senior Associate, Genzyme Ventures, Frank Deane, Ph.D., Founder, Lumleian, LLC, and Maude Tessier, Ph.D., Licensing Manager, Technology and Innovation Development Office, Children's Hospital, Boston. John Hession, J.D., Partner, Cooley LLP, contributed his wealth of experience to the discussion as well as moderated the panel.

The answer to the primary question, "How do I get into a business-related position from academia?" is in short, networking. While there are many jobs posted on the Internet, a significant number of the desirable ones are not. Getting an interview "cold" by simply submitting a resume online is difficult when you are qualified, but as an academic with limited business experience it is even harder. A "warm" connection through a personal referral is much more likely to get your resume the attention you want. For hiring managers a referral reduces the burden of choosing amongst similarly qualified applicants. It also indicates that a candidate has the basic interpersonal skills necessary and motivation to navigate the business world. It is worth keeping in mind that networking is not only about finding potential job leads; it is also about meeting potential mentors or advisors or future colleagues. Conversely, as part of a network you should endeavor to "pay it forward," by offering assistance wherever you can.

Another common question for academics looking to transition to business roles was "How do I get the business experience that hiring managers want?" Taking classes in a business school is one possibility, but there are more informal avenues to gaining knowledge. Seminars offered by the MassBio committees on finance and business development are one route. John Hession is in the process of organizing a "Business Development for Scientists" seminar series through MassBio that will begin this May. Another method for academics to obtain some relevant experience is to intern at your institution's technology licensing office.

Are there advantages or disadvantages to working for smaller startups vs. larger, more established corporations? Simply put, the tradeoff is typically opportunity for stability. Since younger/more entrepreneurial companies operate with only critical staff, there are opportunities to assume responsibilities outside your experience level. At a larger company you may not have as many chances to expand your competencies and upward mobility may be slower, but you are more likely to receive formal training and guidance. Alternatively, choosing to work for smaller divisions at a large corporation may provide some of the experiential advantages of a startup. For your career development, try to get involved in projects that involve many different internal groups to maximize your exposure to different business aspects and build your network within the company. Regardless of your organization size, it is important to understand how you add value to the greater enterprise. Do not just focus on your assigned responsibilities, but try to see where you can make the greatest contribution overall.

While technical competency is important in business positions, "soft" people skills are even more important. Every panel member affirmed the importance of being able to understand people's needs, listen, empathize, and communicate with others to execute their responsibilities. Business is a human enterprise, which means you need to convince people of your viewpoint and build consensus in a group.

The next event in the Futures in Life Sciences Series, on careers in Research and Development, will be held on April 17th at the new MassBio offices in Kendall Square. To register, follow this link: http://fils42012.eventbrite.com/

Join us on March 20th 2012 for our next Futures in Life Sciences (FILS) Event which will discuss an overview of Life Sciences Career Paths in the commercial side of the industry. These areas include Marketing, Product Management, and Business Development. This event will occur at Genzyme, located at 500 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 from 5:30-8:00pm. To register: http://fils32012.eventbrite.com/

Background on the FILS Series: Propel Careers, MassBio, and the MassBioEd have joined together to organize a series of networking and panel events focused on raising awareness of career paths that exist in life sciences for individuals with advanced degrees. This Futures in Life Science program will bring together experts across a wide range of disciplines and functional areas within the life science industry, who detail their roles and provide a rich context for the audience to gain a clear understanding of the skills, aptitudes, competencies, and personalities that thrive in their particular functions. Attendance for this program is open to current graduate students, post doctoral fellows, and medical residents who are interested in careers in the life sciences industry.

Meeting Agenda:

5:30pm-6:00pm – Registration and Open Networking

6:00pm-6:10pm – Introductions, Overview, and Recognition of Sponsors

6:10pm-7:30pm – Panel Discussion Moderator: John Hession, Partner, Cooley LLP Panelists: Maude Tessier, PhD, Licensing Manager, Technology and Innovation Development Office, Children's Hospital Boston; Eric Olson, Senior Associate, Genzyme Ventures; Frank Deane, Founder, Lumleian, LLC; Catherine Thut, Director, Strategic Alliances, Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research

7:30pm-8:00pm – Open Networking

About the Organizers

MassBio - MassBio, a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation's oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 600 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services. To learn more, visit: http://www.massbio.org

MassBioEd - The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation, founded in 2001, is a non-profit charitable organization committed to supporting science and biotechnology education in Massachusetts through school programs, workforce training, and lifelong learning. MassBioEd is closely affiliated with the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and helps the Council in fulfilling its goals to nurture the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) pipeline in Massachusetts. To learn more, visit: http://www.massbioed.org

Propel Careers - Propel Careers is a Boston based life sciences search and career development firm founded in 2009 to foster entrepreneurship and to cultivate leaders in the life sciences industry. Propel recognizes the importance of job creation and career development opportunities to the success of the industry as well as to next generation of industry leaders. The mission of Propel Careers is to make connections that fuel innovation, and we do this through placement, networking, coaching and mentorship. To learn more, visit: http://www.propelcareers.com

Do you like being presented with new challenges on a weekly basis? Do you want to make immediate contributions to real-world problems? Do you enjoy immersing yourself in the details and the big picture at the same time? Then maybe you should consider a career in consulting!

The February meeting of the 2012 Futures in Life Science Seminar Series, organized by MassBio, MassBioEd, and Propel Careers marked the start of career panels focused on particular disciplines in the industry. To see a picture video of the evening, click here: http://video214.com/play/GDmq7c9b9CW5jKMvu7NW1Q/s/dark. Career paths in consulting was the topic of discussion in the Whitehead Institute auditorium in Kendall Square, and consultants from five different life sciences/health care consulting boutiques shared their insights into the profession to an attentive audience of over 110 participants. The panel, expertly moderated by Rob Lowrance, Senior Recruiter, Life Sciences, Collaborative Consulting, included Claudio D'Ambrosio, Director of North American Operations, Deallus Group, Joseph Feingold, Senior Associate Consultant, Putnam Associates, Marc Hochstetler, Director of Decision Science, Lumleian LLC, and Gary Gustavsen, Manager, Health Advances. The Deallus Group and Lumleian LLC were generous enough to sponsor the evening.

The term "consultant" can mean different things to people. Deallus, Putnam, Lumleian, and Health Advances are boutique firms that provide strategic advice to the life science/pharmaceutical/health care industries. They differ from large management consulting firms like Bain and McKinsey not only because they focus on the life science industries, but also in the kinds of problems they solve for clients. The difficulties and costs of discovering therapeutics and diagnostics, as well as the unique constraints imposed by the FDA and health insurance companies require unique knowledge and experience that specialist consultancy firms are better positioned to provide than larger management consulting firms. Life science consultants are hired to advise clients on how to position their product research, development, and marketing resources to best minimize risk and maximize return. Some projects the panelists have worked on include determining the market and competitive landscape for a vaccine for a rare disease, determining the commercialization and regulatory strategy for bringing a circulating tumor cell detection platform to market, and advising companies on the best way to bring preclinical drug candidates through clinical trials.

Panel members universally touted the variety and breadth of their work for clients and the collaborative work environment as favorite aspects of their profession. Projects typically last a matter of weeks so new challenges arise frequently and must be approached as teams to meet tight deadlines. Many of the panel members described their consulting experience as equivalent to an earning an MBA in a compressed, accelerated manner. Due to their smaller size, boutique firms tend to offer less formalized training than their larger counterparts and expect employees to learn on-the-job. Time-management and multi-tasking are important, as consultants at these firms must work on multiple projects simultaneously. However, boutique firms also tend to offer a better work/life balance than general consulting firms because of more reasonable hours and less travel.

A cooperative approach and excellent communication skills are central to success as a consultant. The ability to navigate the uncertain and imperfect information of the business world with an easily conveyed, logical approach is also important. Good consultants balance an appreciation for specific detail and nuance without losing sight of the client's "big picture" goal. Often much of the value-added proposition of life-science consulting is given to clients through presentations and meetings, so interpersonal skills are of paramount importance. Like most professions nowadays, networking plays an important role in obtaining a job at a boutique consulting firm. Boutique consulting firms have different cultures and approaches so learning about as many as possible increases the likelihood of a complimentary fit for both the firm and a job candidate. Participation in a graduate consulting club is helpful to learn the "case study" methodology that is common to the profession.

The next event in the 2012 Futures in Life Science Seminar Series, on Commericalization (Marketing, Product Management, and Business Development Career Paths) will be held in Kendall Square on March 20th. To register for this event, or learn about the other events in the series, check our events calendar at: http://www.propelcareers.com/index.cfm/events/

About the Author: Ben Leung is currently a postdoctoral associate in the Neurobiology department at UMass Medical School.

On Feb 21st, 2012, about 100 post docs, medical residents, and graduate students, will convene at the upcoming Futures in Life Science event to learn about career paths in life sciences consulting which exists for individuals with graduate degrees. The event is being held at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, MA from 5:30-8:00pm. To register for the event, click here: http://fils22012.eventbrite.com . The agenda and speakers are listed below:

5:30pm-6:00pm – Registration and Open Networking

6:00pm-6:10pm – Introductions, Overview, and Recognition of Sponsors

6:10pm-7:30pm – Panel Discussion: Moderator: Rob Lowrance, Collaborative Consulting; Panelists: Claudio D'Ambrosio, Deallus Group; Joseph Feingold, Putnam Consultants; Mark Hochstetler, Lumleian, LLC; Gary Gustavsen, Health Advances

7:30pm-8:00pm – Open Networking

More information about the speakers and organizers are below:

Propel Careers, MassBio, and the MassBioEd have joined together to organize a series of networking and panel events focused on raising awareness of career paths that exist in life sciences for individuals with advanced degrees. This Futures in Life Science program will bring together experts across a wide range of disciplines and functional areas within the life science industry, who detail their roles and provide a rich context for the audience to gain a clear understanding of the skills, aptitudes, competencies, and personalities that thrive in their particular functions. Attendance for this program is open to current graduate students, post doctoral fellows, and medical residents who are interested in careers in the life sciences industry.

About the Organizers:

MassBio - MassBio, a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation's oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 600 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services. To learn more, visit: http://www.massbio.org.

MassBioEd - The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation, founded in 2001, is a non-profit charitable organization committed to supporting science and biotechnology education in Massachusetts through school programs, workforce training, and lifelong learning. MassBioEd is closely affiliated with the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and helps the Council in fulfilling its goals to nurture the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) pipeline in Massachusetts. To learn more, visit http://www.massbioed.org.

Propel Careers - Propel Careers is a Boston based life sciences search and career development firm founded in 2009 to foster entrepreneurship and to cultivate leaders in the life sciences industry. Propel recognizes the importance of job creation and career development opportunities to the success of the industry as well as to next generation of industry leaders. The mission of Propel Careers is to make connections that fuel innovation, and we do this through placement, networking, coaching and mentorship. To learn more, visit http://www.propelcareers.com.

What do a board-certified neurologist, a medicinal chemist, a physicist, a pharmacist, and an immunologist have in common? They have all gone beyond their original training to establish successful careers in the life science industry, and they shared their insight and experiences at an event series designed to help others make a similar transition.

The opening event of the 2012 Futures in Life Science Seminar Series, organized by MassBio, MassBioEd, and Propel Careers, held on January 17th, introduced an overflowing audience to science professionals in venture capital, consulting, health care, and biotech/pharma. Unlike subsequent events, which focus specifically on consulting, research, clinical/medical affairs, bioinformatics, commercialization, finance, legal, and operations, the panelists at this gathering had a wide range of technical backgrounds and professional responsibilities. The panelists included Kiran Reddy, Principal, Third Rock Ventures, Kevin Sprott, Senior Director, Chemistry, Verastem, Iya Khalil, Executive VP and Co-Founder, Via Science and GNS Healthcare, Dennis M. Meletiche, VP, Health Outcomes and Market Access, EMD Serono, and Katherine McLaughlin, Associate, Health Advances. John Hallinan, CFO, Cytel, moderated the panel.

A major topic of the evening's discussion centered on what skills and knowledge an academic needed to acquire to thrive in the corporate environment. Foremost on the panel's list was interpersonal skills. Beyond simply cooperating with your peers, panel members emphasized the importance of empathy, appreciating and embracing differing perspectives. Unlike academia where the "working unit" is the individual or small group, in industry the cost and scale of projects necessitates much larger teams cooperatively executing a common plan of action. The team will not only include scientists with differing expertise, but also business professionals with little formal scientific training. Productive face-to-face communication between scientists and business professionals is important to a project's success, and those that can bridge the two disparate cultures are often successful in the life science industry.

How does one refine or acquire these "soft" skills? Like any skill, practice as much as possible--networking events like the FILS series are ideal places to improve your interpersonal skills. Actively seek out and observe people that excel at relating to others. Implicit in teamwork is trust. You must have faith in your colleagues' judgment and skills, even if you disagree. In a large endeavor it is neither practical nor productive to do everything yourself, so you must assume that other team members are doing their parts with the same diligence that you are.

Another theme of the evening's discussion was the mutability of the modern professional's career path. Gone are the days of lifelong employment at a single company performing the same duties the entire period; the new paradigm is a constantly evolving series of positions and responsibilities. All of the panel members have positions for which they have no formal training--how did they acquire these skills? They availed themselves of all their resources--formal ones like business classes at their academic institution or seminars at professional organizations like MassBio--as well as from informal sources like networks and mentors. Panel members universally credited mentors as instrumental in their professional development, and each repaid the favor by mentoring others in similar fashion.

Throughout the course of the evening the importance of networks was reinforced. Panel members used contacts for everything from learning about entrepreneurship and writing business plans to looking for recommendations to fill job vacancies. LinkedIn is the networking tool of choice, not only for maintaining contacts, but also as a tool for identifying new contacts. A good approach to develop contacts in an industry you want to enter is to use LinkedIn to reach out to people who are in positions that you are interested in.

The next event in the 2012 Futures in Life Science Seminar Series, on Consulting Career Paths in the Life Science Industry, will be on February 21st at the Whitehead Institute at Kendall Square. To register for this event, or learn about the other events in the series, check our events calendar at http://www.propelcareers.com/index.cfm/events/. To see pictures from the last event, click here: http://video214.com/play/NUqXkCVP0HqH8Hz4H9ooCw/s/dark.

About the Author: Ben Leung is currently a postdoctoral associate in the Neurobiology department at UMass Medical School.