Biotech Nexus Panelists Stress Networking — and Patience

Biotech Nexus is an annual event hosted by Northwestern Engineering's Master of Biotechnology Program (MBP) designed to illustrate the wide array of professional opportunities available to someone with a background in biotechnology. 

While none of the five panelists at the 2022 event had MBP degrees, each knew enough about the program and its reputation to know MBP students were already on a path to differentiating themselves by learning a combination of biology, bioprocess engineering, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

This year's panelists included:

• Felicia Bogdan, a principal research scientist at Abbott Laboratories who leads a team of scientists responsible for developing biotechnology for blood screenings in transfusion medicine. 
• Emily Hoffman, manager at Ambit Consulting Services (ACS), a firm focused on the future of biopharma. 
• Jamie Kasuboski, vice president of OMX Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in the life science sector. 
• Stephanie Pulliam, a biomedical scientist and marketing manager at AbbVie with research experience in oncology. 
• Jessica Tam, senior global project manager with Baxter’s patient monitoring marketing team who focuses on new-product development. 

Pulliam acknowledged that a common concern recent graduates have when entering biotechnology — or any industry, for that matter — is whether they're making a mistake. In Pulliam's eyes, there's no such thing as a mistake. There is freedom in exploration.

“Understand that each role, each opportunity, each person you’re meeting is setting you up for something to come,” she said. “There’s a purpose and a reason for why you’re doing what you’re doing at this moment.” 

Other panelists stressed the importance of events like Biotech Nexus to help students launch their careers. Bogdon’s 20-year career at Abbott began after she circulated her resume at a conference. 

“Build a network,” she said. “A lot of you are very knowledgeable. What’s going to distinguish you is if you know the right people who are going to see your knowledge and see your passion that you have for the work. So expand your network and continue to be passionate.” 

Then, when what you know and who you know combine to give you a shot at making a difference in the biotech industry, the panelists emphasized the importance of diving in deeply and getting a broad sense for how the business works.

And above all, the panelists said, be patient. 

“There isn’t a deadline you have to hit to be in a certain position by a certain time,” Tam said. “Take the time to meet people, to ask questions, and explore the different types of opportunities out there.”