Panel insights shared with all at the first of three ‘Career Exploration Series’ events

'Where will your degree take you? From Lab to Leadership – Research career path.’

This panel event was designed for our 1st year BBiomed students...

Close to 100 first year BBiomed students joined this careers conversation event (and enjoyed a slice of pizza or two!) in August. Having enlisted a diverse and distinguished panel to focus on the Research Career path opportunities, a lively, interesting and informative session proceeded.

The event, hosted by our own BSS (thank you Hannah and Khiem) in response to a survey asking students what it is they wanted to know about, and co-organised by A/Prof Di Stojanovski allowed the students present to hear about opportunities and choices ahead, the drivers for the panellists, amidst their own career journeys (to date!). The Pizza lunch following giving our first years an additional opportunity to catch up with each other and meet the panellists for further conversation/questions IRL (In-Real-Life!).

Panellists included:

Some insights to share

Interestingly for our panellists things have changed A LOT along the way!

Prof Justine Mintern

From wanting to be a Vet whilst growing up, then not knowing what to do but realising she was ‘too squeamish for Med School’ (she recommends watching the video!), Prof Justine Mintern found her Honors with its opportunity to work in a Research team, working on a new aspect of Biology and cutting edge research, whilst also equipping you with professional skills was the next step after her U/G. Then a PhD followed with Bill Heath at WEHI and time studying overseas at Harvard. Today she has a Lab and is the Associate Dean of Graduate Research for the Faculty – who knows what comes next. Interestingly Justine didn’t pursue any of this to ‘make a difference’ – she has always enjoyed the pursuit of questions, and curiosity, and where that might lead.

Julia Mercuri-Svik

Julia is currently an Honors student and spoke of the ‘hands-on’ nature of this. The close team, the seminars, the opportunities to meet others from other Labs whilst also having your own project to delve deeply into whilst also learning from others elsewhere.

Everyones Honors experience is truly unique – you’re in the drivers seat alongside your supervisor.

Celine Dubois

Celine talked about her Masters and the development of all important soft skills (time management, communication etc) alongside her all important Research skills – both of which have played a part in her current role with the Florey Institute.

Think about what you are passionate about’, talk to people, ask questions and try new things.

Dr Michael Baker

Michael commenced studying an Engineering degree which he quickly felt wasn’t for him! BioTech was his calling and then an MBA at UOM which was ‘transformative ‘ and tailored to a curious mind as Masters study can be. A love of travel also played into his career choices, as did a desire for Impact. Wanting to make a difference to human health and quality of life remains today a driving force behind his hard work with Arovella developing treatments for Cancer. Michael's tips for future success:

‘You are your brand' and ‘Protect your mental health’ – for longevity in career and personal life.

Dr Mara McDonald

Mara has been in Australia for 5 years and works with a Consulting group in Healthcare, helping companies such as Pfizer to understand the value of biotech. As a venture capitalist its important to continually look for innovation – looking to invest money to move the value pipeline. Her company looks to invest in tech which has the ability to transform human health and she finds her job is 50% "science" and 50% "people," highlighting the importance of interpersonal skills.

Try things out – internships, random lectures (business). What is going to move you forward? Donate your time – try out a career before committing to it.

Dr Fern Koay

Fern came to UOM from Malaysia and studied BBiomed then an Honors at Peter Mac wanting to work towards curing cancer. Her PhD with the Dale Godfrey Lab working alongside a world leader in T-Cells. She also highlighted the opportunity to look further afield with time spent at Harvard in Boston. Team fit remains important to her – it sets you up for success and can be more important than the topic of study.

Choose your own adventure – its ok if you have entry and exit points, if you leave then go back, just trial it.

Key Tips for our BBiomed students:

  • Soft skills are important – these can be equally developed through your PT work, volunteering, joining committees/clubs, internships etc.
  • There are many ways to leave a legacy – people you work with, papers you publish, discoveries you make, impacts you are part of.
  • Networking is important but do your homework – it’s not a time to ask for a job. Ask questions, be interested and show your own ‘brand’. And all agreed networking isn’t being on your phone in lectures – that lecturer/speaker may be someone you want to talk with down the track!
  • If you do meet with someone, even your mentor … Always follow up! Send an email – thank people for their time. It’s always appreciated.

Final words…Nobody expects you to be an expert.

Be present, be engaged, be positive and be proactive. In other words be curious!

This Career Exploration series is an opportunity to empower our First year BBiomed students to explore options available with the study of an U/G BBiomed. This first session providing an insight into the vast and diverse opportunities after Research training  as evidenced by our panel.

Next sessions:

  • Session 2 - Friday 13 Sept: Unlocking Career Opps. in Health Sciences
  • Session 3 - Friday 11 Oct: My Journey to Dentistry / Medicine