UC graduate students and postdocs!
Get ready to explore and prepare for industry careers through a UC-wide series of virtual workshops and programs this fall. Career centers and postdoc offices across the UC system are contributing sessions focused on biotech career pathways, open to all trainees. Together, these events create a shared learning experience with multiple perspectives and real-world insights, designed just for you. 

Tuesday, October 7th, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Chris Dillon, Ph.D., Former Senior Director, Oncology Research Unit at Pfizer

Register Here
Are you interested in learning more about careers outside of academia? This session will provide an overview of the various career pathways and roles available in industry and the different types of industry employers and companies. 

Participants will learn about the importance of culture in industry settings and how fit can be an important consideration for a role and within an organization. Differences between industry and academic cultures and tips for learning about and finding opportunities in industry will be discussed. don't miss this change to gain insights about industry careers and culture from a PhD who successfully transitioned from an academic postdoc position.

Tuesday, October 14th, 12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Gaby Barrios, Ph.D., Assistant Director for STEM PhDs for UCLA's Graduate Career Services.  

Register Here
Looking for a job or internship in industry? Join us to learn and practice strategies for identifying what elements of a job or internship are most important to you, efficiently using online tools, and creating systems to find, apply to, and track jobs or internships.

Tuesday, October 21st, 12-1pm
Alexandra Colón-Rodríguez, PhD, Sr. Program Manager, Genentech Postdoc Program.


Curious about what it’s like to pursue a postdoc outside of academia? This special session features the head of the Genentech Postdoctoral Program, who will share insights on designing impactful postdoctoral training in industry. 

We’ll explore how industry postdocs differ from academic appointments, the skills and opportunities they provide, and what makes candidates successful in the transition. Whether you are considering industry as a career path or simply want to broaden your perspective, this is a unique opportunity to learn directly from a leader shaping the future of biomedical training in the private sector.

Tuesday, October 28, 12-1pm
Thi Nguyen, PhD 

Join us for a workshop that guides you through writing an industry-focused resume while using generative AI responsibly. We'll discuss combining brainstorming, crafting helpful gen AI prompts, avoiding buzzwords and evaluating and personalizing the results. Through hands-on exercises and peer feedback, you'll leave with part of a refined resume that positions you for your next step. 

By the end of this session, you will

• Translate Academic Experience: highlight transferable skills, research expertise and leadership experiences to align with sector expectations. 
• Write Bullet Points with Job-Specific Measurable Specificity: Develop strategies to personalize your resume for specific job postdings and share your value with potential employers.
• Generate effective AI prompts to support responsible resume brainstorming and drafting
• Evaluate AI-generated contect for relevance and authenticity - avoiding keyword stuffing and generic phrasing. 

 If you have one, feel free to bring a copy of your most recent resume or CV to work on in session!

Tuesday, November 4th, 12-1 p.m.
Andrew Green, PhD, Associate Director Graduate Students and Special Projects, UC Berkeley Career Engagement

At the interview stage, your accomplishments no longer speak for you; so join us to get advice on how to convey your value. This session covers the structure of a typical interview in biotech, how to prepare, how to respond to typical interview questions, advice to avoid common mistakes and Q&A we're well answer your questions! 

Monday, November 10th, 12-1:30 p.m.
Millie Copara, PhD, Consultant, former senior scientific recruiter at Recruitomics Consulting and director of multiple graduate and scientific pathway initiatives at UC Davis.  

Hiring processes in industry can be a maze to navigate and negotiation can often feel like the most perplexing and intimidating step. This session will empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to reduce the intimidation of negotiation and master this crucial step in the hiring process! Join us in this workshop to demystify this process and take the reins in your next job offer.

By the end of this session, you will

• Understand the stages and timelines of negotiating an industry offer
• Learn the tools to understand and communicate your value
• See what an offer in industry looks like and what is negotiable
• Have real example statements in a negotiation conversation
• Increase your confidence entering a negotiation process!

Tuesday, November 18th. 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 
Leslie Peek, Lead Career Advisor, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Career Services

Breaking into the biotech industry isn’t just about having the right skills - it’s about knowing the right people. In this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to leverage the network you already have to uncover opportunities and build meaningful connections. Whether you're a grad student or postdoc, you’re already more connected than you think. We’ll explore how to:

Use tools like LinkedIn’s alumni feature and company pages to identify potential contacts

 

• Navigate Handshake to find biotech positions, career fairs, and networking events
• Understand what an informational interview is—and why it’s a powerful tool for career exploration
• Conduct effective informational interviews, including how to reach out, what to ask, and how to follow up
• Ask insightful questions that help you learn about roles, company culture, and career paths
  
   

By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with a strategy to network with intention, uncover hidden opportunities, and confidently take your next step toward a career in biotech!

*Please note that this event is for UC PhD graduate students and postdocs only!