Biology Networking Night: Creating connections between students and alumni
Dates for AY 2010-11: Fall quarter: October 27th in HCK 132
Students will get a chance to meet people from a variety of professions, all with one thing in common: a degree from UW Biology (or Botany or Zoology from pre-merger years). A small panel of alumni will share their career building experiences since graduation by talking about their respective career paths, what experiences influenced their decision to pursue a certain profession, and successes and regrets along the way. Students will get insight into various jobs and how to make the most of their time at the UW. Undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs, as well as recent graduates who are still building their resumes, are welcome and encouraged to come and network with alumni for career development.
Please go to the online sign-up form to select the dates you wish to attend. Biology Networking Nights are held quarterly in Hitchcock Hall in the evenings from 5:30 - 7:00pm. Please contact the Biology Advising Office if you have any questions.
A Student's Perspective on the Importance of Networking Night, By Sarah Louise Pierce
As biology majors, most of us probably receive e-mails titled “Biology Networking Night,” and if you’re like me, glance through the careers listed and decide that the free food isn’t enticing enough to give up an hour and a half of your time. While time commitment seems to be an endless struggle for science students, some of the careers listed in the latest e-mail sounded interesting, so I made time to go, and was pleasantly surprised. Rather than being simply an overview of the various professions, the panel of seven men and women offered advice on making the most of your undergraduate experience, and words of wisdom that they wished they’d been told. Topics discussed included getting involved with research, pursuing undergraduate internships, and being open to other, maybe unconventional opportunities, such as applying the science and research skills you’ve acquired to other career fields not directly relating to biology. As an example, Trevor Dundon, 2000 graduate, told of how he went from majoring in biology, to taking the MCAT and then to working as an investment broker. Next, he did diabetes research at Harvard, went to graduate school, worked in a lab, and finally ended up at his present job working as a home loan consultant. Trevor said he is able to use all his biology and learning experiences to excel at a job he loves.
With a biology degree, the possibilities seem endless, but not unless you know how to pursue them. The key point emphasized by all guests was make networks, share your networks, and never burn your bridges. We were encouraged to, “be like the business students,” and meet people by attending career fairs or biology conferences and building relationships not only with professors, but classmates as well. Afterward, we were able to meet with the panel members and share experiences one-on-one. Honestly, there was not a better way I could have spent that time, and I plan to attend more networking nights in the future. I came away with new knowledge about the many resources available to help me get involved, make connections, and find careers that allow me to do what I love. So, no matter what you plan to do when you graduate, it is more than worthwhile to set aside an hour and a half to enjoy some good food and be inspired by some graduates who’ve made the mistakes and know what it takes to get to where you want to go.
