Alternative Careers in Life Sciences (What are your options after your Bachelor of Science degree ?)

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 2 Outline of Workshop What services does CAPS offer? What can I do with my studies in Life Sciences right after I graduate with my BSc.? What can I do with my studies in Life Sciences with additional education/training or experience? What are some alternative careers for BSc. grads? How am I going to make a decision about going onto grad studies or moving into the work force?

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 3 What CAPS Has to Offer JOB OPPORTUNITIES CAPS Job Listings Database for full-time, summer and part- time jobs and internships at On-campus recruitment in fall and winter CAREER EDUCATION Individual advising Workshops Career Resource Library Website Mentor Program PACE Program Job Finding Club Career Week & Month

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 4 Traditional Educational Paths for B.Sc. Life Sciences Majors (2 options) 1. Medicine and Other Health Professions (Professional Schools) Medicine Dentistry Nursing Physical & Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Veterinary Medicine

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 5 Traditional Educational Paths for B.Sc. Life Sciences Majors (2 options) 2. Career Physiologists, Biochemists, Biologists, Microbiologists/ Immunologists (Graduate School – M.Sc., Ph.D.) Academic Setting (CEGEP teacher, University Professor, Technology Transfer) Research Institutes (Clinical, Basic Sciences, Lab Manager) Government Agencies (Health Protection, Environment, Science Policy) Research Funds Administration Private Industry (Biomedical, Pharmaceutical, Environmental, Technological, Regulatory Affairs, Patent Agent)

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 6 Potential Employment Paths in Science Right After Graduating with a B.Sc. “Bench” work – Lab Assistant – Research Assistant – Bacteriological Technician Clinical work – Clinical Assistant Field Research – Biological Researcher – Ecologist Working in Agencies and Governments – Water Quality Inspector – Pest Control Consultant – Hunger Policy Analyst Working in the Food/Beverage Industry – Food Technician/ Technologist Working in Sales – Pharma Salesperson

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 7 Employer Categories In Sciences Hospitals (Royal Victoria) Private Clinics (MDS Pharma) Research Institutions Universities and CEGEPS (McGill, Dawson) Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology industries (Merck Frosst) Food & Beverage/Fermentation industries (Maple Leaf, Labatt) Chemical Industry (Dow Chemicals) Energy industry (Petro-Canada) Cosmetics (l’Oréal)

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 8 Alternative Careers Law (Patent Law, Environmental Law; Medical-device product liability Law) Medical Illustrator Journalist/Broadcaster Technical /Science Writer Management Consultant Marketing Manager Public Relations Consultant Investment Advisor Entrepreneur/Business Developer

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 9 How are you going to make a decision about going onto grad studies or moving into the work force? To help make this decision, it is important to do some self-assessment: A) What are my interests, values and goals? B) What are my skills?

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 10 A) What are my interests & values? (Soul-searching) Start by asking yourself some basic questions: – Why did you do your degree? – What motivates you? – What is your dream job? – What is important to you? – What are your ambitions/goals for the future?

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 11 A) What are my interests & values? (Soul-searching) Figure out what drives you: – What makes you happy? – Where do you get your greatest satisfaction? Different people require different exercises – Personality tests – Feedback from family, friends, colleagues – Personal exercises

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 12 Transferable Skills People, ideas, information, data & things Working Conditions Geographical Preference Special Knowledge Personal Traits How much are you worth? Goals, Purposes and Values People Environment This exercise is best done in pairs – with a friend or your partner. For each of the categories at right, make lists

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 13 B) What are my skills?: What did I learn at McGill anyway? Technical (hard) skills Transferable (soft) skills – Analytical / Critical Thinking / Problem Solving – Ability to synthesize / Deal with Complexity – Technical Writing / Report Writing – Research Methodology / Data Analysis Techniques – Computer Skills / Simulation – Organized / Thorough / Precise / Detail Oriented

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 14 Make the decision The self-assessment that you undertake is very valuable and will help you whatever your decision To be successful, both grad school applications and job applications require that you know yourself very well

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 15 What are the best strategies to use to get an employer to hire me or a grad school to accept me? 1. Know what you have to offer: – your interests (do some soul-searching) – your skills (technical & transferable) – be able to express them in your CV and at an interview 2. Research the employers/schools to find out what they are looking for 3. Make the match between your skills and their needs 4. Network, network, network

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 16 What are employers looking for? All the technical and transferable skills mentioned earlier PLUS…. Negotiating / Communication Skills Leadership skills Teamwork / Business Acumen / Honesty Adaptability / Reliability / Autonomy Good Work Ethic

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 17 Researching the Employer All successful job searches are based on extensive research on the career area, the industry and on specific employers in which you are interested Your Goals: – Figure out the fit between your skills and interests and goals and available fields of employment. – Research the employer before you establish contact. Set up a timetable with specific goals and deadlines

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 18 Research: First Step – Start Looking A. Web and Print – CAPS Library Books on Careers Directories of employers – Websites List of Websites from CAPS Jobboom, workopoliscampus.com Company sites B. Public Events – Career Fairs Have specific questions about the organization Personal appearance and manner – Information Sessions/ Career Panels Try to get names and make acquaintances.

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 19 Research: Second Step – Conduct Information Interviews What is an information interview? – An meeting with a person who works for an organization of interest to you, or who has the kind of job you are looking for – The goal of the meeting is: Find out as much information about the company/position as you can Communicate your skills and interests Obtain additional contact/people in similar positions in other companies

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 20 Some typical information interview questions What was your career path? What do you do on a daily basis? How did you get there? What is your organization/industry all about? What exactly do you do? How did you get your foot in the door? What was you academic background? What skills do you need for your job? What do you love about this job? What are you most challenged by? What do you dislike about the job? What is your schedule like? How do you feel about your work/family balance? How much time is administrative? w/ clients? What professional development opportunities do you have? Where do you see yourself going from here? How might I position myself in this field? Re-credential? What skills do I need? Résumé suggestions? How might I market myself more effectively? Given my credentials, what income range could I expect to start at? Can you recommend professional organizations/publications with which I should become familiar? Can you recommend anyone else that I should talk to?

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 21 Conducting Information Interviews Do: – Be clear and direct about the purpose of your interview – Dress appropriately, treat it like a professional interview – Be prepared to talk briefly about your skills – Stay focused in your questions and be mindful of the time – Follow-up with a thank-you note Don’t: – Ask for a job – Discuss you or your research at great length – Offer your C.V. unless they ask for a copy

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 22 Network, Network, Network Develop a networking mindset: – Be curious, social and open-minded, overcome shyness – Schmooze with people you like, be genuine. – Find similarities in interests – Work on your interpersonal and telephone skills

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 23 More Networking Where do I start networking? – Who do you know? Personal relationships Professional relationships Organizational affiliations – Other settings: Career fairs Professional associations and conferences

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 24 Finally: Increase Your Marketability Extracurricular Activities Take a leadership role in any club, sport or student association Volunteer Work Participate in any volunteer or political association that interests you Career-related Work Get a paid or unpaid job or internship in a career- related field – part-time or summer – McGill IYES Program; Industrial Practicum (IP)

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 25 Increase Your Marketability Examples of Jobs/Internships Research Assistant (see CAPS website) Laboratory Assistant / Technician Tutor Assistant Pharmacist Sales/Customer Service Undertake Additional Training During or after Graduation

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS) 26 CAPS Contact Information: Erick Curti – CAPS Career Advisor – ext – Gregg Blachford – CAPS Director – –