Inaugural Career Speed Networking for Ph.D.s and Postdocs
In November, the inaugural Ph.D. Career Speed Networking event garnered enthusiastic participation when nearly 100 Einstein graduate students and postdoctoral fellows gathered in the Lower Education Center to hear from and network with Ph.D. alumni. Through this activity aimed at Ph.D. community engagement, participants shared ideas and forged connection
At the inaugural Ph.D. Career Speed Networking event, 21 Ph.D. alumni returned to Einstein to share insights from their careers with graduate students and postdocs.
“As an alumni office, our goal is to create meaningful opportunities for our Ph.D. alumni to reconnect, network, and share their experiences,” said Helen Guo, director of alumni relations. “The success of this event has reinforced our belief in the strength of our alumni community.”
The event was the largest ever to bring graduate students, postdocs, and alumni together on campus. “For many of our Ph.D. alums, it was their first time back at Einstein and their first time participating in an event as an alum,” noted Helen.
Connecting, Engaging, and Learning About Opportunities
Students and postdocs listen intently as alumni discuss diverse career paths for Ph.D.s.
At 15-minute intervals, Ph.D. students and postdocs visited tables headed by 21 alumni currently working in areas such as bioinformatics, drug development, industry research, intellectual property, scientific publishing, and more.
“It was an excellent opportunity for students and postdocs to explore a wide range of career possibilities and to build their network,” said Diane Safer, Ph.D., director of career and professional development for graduate students and postdocs. “Our alumni are exceptional role models. Attendees can not only gained insights into careers they might already be considering and discovered new and unexpected ones”
Postdoctoral fellow Silvia Hernandez, Ph.D., co-chair of the Einstein Postdoctoral Association, observed that she and other participants now know more about other career options.
“Clinical trial management, for example, can involve anything from working with patients to data analysis,” she said. “It’s not the career path I have in mind right now, but I felt I could contact the person who spoke about it if I decided to go in that direction.”
Empowered by What’s Possible
Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D. ’17 speaking to students and postdocs.
Attendees were pleased to expand their networks and by the array of options represented.
“This event exceeded my expectations in terms of how willing the speakers were to engage with us, and the career areas discussed,” said Anastasia Nizhnik, a fifth-year Ph.D. student. “What clicked with me was consulting, which I didn’t expect. And they gave us confidence that we could make this kind of transition.”
At the healthcare/science communication table, Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D.’17, described his long path to assistant vice president at the healthcare consulting firm Russo Partners. “I want to help Ph.D. students and postdocs make a decision earlier than I did,” he said. “To arrive where I am now, I listened to my heart and wasn’t afraid to change.”
The event was a collaboration between the offices of career and professional development for graduate students and postdocs and of alumni relations. “This marks the beginning of a new tradition, setting the stage for future Ph.D. networking opportunities and alumni engagement,” said Dr. Safer. “Next year, we may host an online version, in addition to the in-person event, to extend the event’s reach to alumni anywhere.”
Posted on: Tuesday, January 30, 2024