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

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

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

4. Traditional Educational Paths for B.Sc. Life Sciences Majors (2 options) • 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) • 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. “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 Potential Employment Paths in Science Right After Graduating with a B.Sc. 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. 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 Alternative Careers 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: • What are my interests, values and goals? • 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. Geographical Preference Working Conditions Special Knowledge Transferable Skills People, ideas, information, data & things Personal Traits People Environment Goals, Purposes and Values How much are you worth? • 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? • 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 • Research the employers/schools to find out what they are looking for • Make the match between your skills and their needs • 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. 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. Research: First Step – Start Looking 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. 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? Some typical information interview questions McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS)

21. 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 Conducting Information Interviews 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 • 398-3304 ext. 0762 • erick.curti@mcgill.ca • Gregg Blachford – CAPS Director • 398-2940 • gregg.blachford@mcgill.ca • www.caps.mcgill.ca McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS)