Transcript Careers in Industry & Academia Is my science education worth anything? Steven J.
Careers in Industry & Academia
Is my science education worth anything?
Steven J. Projan, Ph.D., F.A.A.M.
Vice President, Biological Technologies Wyeth Research March 8, 2007
Common views on why people take jobs in the pharmaceutical industry
I couldn’t hack it in academia
Aren’t industry jobs easier to land than academic positions anyway?
I didn’t want to write grants
This never happens in industry, right?
I didn’t want to write papers
Nobody cares if you publish in industry, right?
There is better job security in industry
The pay and benefits are better in industry
Applied research is more fulfilling and less frustrating than “purely” academic pursuits
Industry companies come in three flavors
“Big Pharma”
Pfizer, JNJ, GSK, Novartis, BMS, SGP, Lilly, Merck, Sanofi-Aventis, Wyeth, Amgen, Roche, Genentech
“Established Biotechs”
Genzyme, Biogen-Idec, Millennium, Cubist
“Small Biotechs”
Less than 100 and often less than 50 people The average biotech lasts less than four years (or about the same as an NFL running back)
But remember that none of these companies is “stable”
What does industry want?
Great scientists with established expertise
True at ALL levels
Team players
If you can’t collaborate then you will not do well in any industrial setting
Pride of outcome vs. pride of ownership
People with excellent communication skills
If cannot present than you will hit a (low) ceiling
If you don’t publish you won’t get very far either
Diversity (especially in Big Pharma)
A workforce that really understands the consumers of our products
So what this mean for jobs in the Industry?
Consolidation means fewer jobs
Especially in the drug discovery and development arenas
There are multiple applicants for each job
But still relatively few “high quality” applicants
Most people from academic backgrounds know relatively litte about pharmacology!
Price pressure (which will only increase) means wholesale industry restructuring
Outsourcing and Off-shoring are soon to be (if not already) the rule
Willingness to work outside the U.S. will increasingly become a plus
Which Jobs? What Skills?
The best jobs are in Drug Discovery (and Development)
Fewer jobs does not mean no jobs
One potential area of job growth is on the process development, QA, QC side of the equation
Think about what jobs your skill sets can be applied to
Moral of the story:
Build upon your (demonstrable) skill sets: Eg. Cell Biology AND Biochemistry
And it wouldn’t hurt if you knew some pharmacology
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There are always jobs for people who develop animal models of disease
So is an industry worth it?
You bet it is!
Where else can you find a job where your work will impact on the health of the human race?
Remember that over 92% of all therapeutics and vaccines have been discovered and nearly all have been developed by the pharmaceutical industry
Don’t buy the “crap” from self-serving industry critics
To succeed you must be every bit as good (and probably even better) than your academic colleagues
There is a no more challenging job
But is there a no more gratifying job
Biotech vs. Big Pharma
The jobs are more similar than different
Maybe you wear more hats in Biotech, But contrary to popular belief you do not work cheaper, just poorer
Job security is probably worse in “small” biotech companies than big pharma
What is the “burn rate”?
Profitability does not equal job security!
But it doesn’t hurt
Successful Biotech companies get acquired, unsuccesfful companies get acquired
By the way…how much do these jobs pay???
And can I have a family maybe???
Preparing a CV…for an industry job application
Similar but definitely different from an academic CV
NB. A majority of industry hires now come from on line job applicants
Overview
Your CV is a vehicle to describe yourself to someone who does not know you
Be professional and be neat (even if you are neither!)
The three most important attributes of a CV are accuracy, accuracy and accuracy
Avoid puffery, avoid internet or imaginary degrees (and the like), honesty is the best policy
Make sure the important stuff in on the first page
Make sure you have both hard copy and electronic versions
The Essentials
Who you are (but how much personal information should be supplied?)
Note that employers cannot take into consideration things like marital status, children etc. However you may consider it important for potential employers to know such things (e.g. if your significant other is going to require a job, relocation etc.
Contact information
Make sure people can contact you easily
Education
Be complete – include dates, degrees, major/area of study, mentors
Employment History
My preference is that you start with your current job and work backwards, again provide details, even brief descriptions of responsibilities, number of people supervised
More Essentials
Skills
But do not go overboard You may wish to highlight presentation/written skills in certain contexts
Awards and honors
Include grants here unless you have so many that it would require a separate section
Career Goals
What do you want to be when you grow up
Publications
Include abstracts (separately) but not internal reports
Presentations
External only
Maybe yes, maybe no
Hobbies
Membership in professional organizations
Often this is kind of a filler
Visa status
DO NOTS! (Avoid Identity Theft!)
Do not include your tax payer ID/social security number
Do not provide you date of birth
Please do not include a personal mission statement
Job Hunting - The Cover Letter
Essential when applying for a specific position or a position with a specific laboratory or company
State the position (or type of job) you are looking for
Indicate your willingness (or lack of willingness) to relocate
Do you have geographical preferences?
Salary requirements
Or would you prefer to work for free?
Availability
When can you start a new job?
Finding Jobs:
On line…you better be computer savvy
Publish!!!
Networking, networking thou shalt pursue
Meetings…posters and presentations
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Pay out of your own pocket if you have to
Job fairs
Seminar speakers at your own institution
Presentation skills!
Power corrupts, PowerPoint corrupts absolutely!
But make sure it’s a good fit!!
Do you really want to do the job you are interviewing for?