Thursday, March 26, 2009
Upstate NY BioCareer Connection a success

With attendees numbering about 150, the first of its kind regional life sciences event-billed as a networking opportunity to promote awareness both among companies and the talent they might seek-was a resounding hit. Businesses were seen exchanging best practices for hiring in this economy and making connections with others on display, potential jobseekers were learning tips from those that make hiring decisions, and panelists were overheard making appointments with each other and exchanging business cards.

“The ease of coordination with the planning committee was extraordinary”, said Susi Varvayanis, Director of Applied Resources at Cornell University’s Center for Life Science Enterprise, citing how her partners Tompkins Workforce New York, Cornell Center for Technology and Enterprise and Commercialization, New York State Department of Labor, and MedTech each brought a different perspective to the event. “In addition the volunteer panelists were all lively, informative, and well spoken. We are very lucky to have such talent in our region.”

Attendees learned about life sciences job trends, which according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, seem to buck the economy’s downturn. Some questions centered on how to find the resources available to jobseekers. Advice given included getting your degree early, diversifying, learning as much as you can to become a jack of all trades through internships, coops and other experiential opportunities, and staying optimistic. In fact, it was suggested that the technical side is almost a given, and that candidates will stand out against competitors by having competencies in soft skills such as collaboration, communication, flexibility, strategic thinking, and initiative.

“Make a choice for what you care about,” said serial entrepreneur Charles Hamilton, who also suggested taking a course in accounting or business finance to learn the language of business. “Go do it, there’s no better time.” See also the front page Ithaca Journal coverage of the event at: http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090326/NEWS01/903260339