Unlocking Potential: Translational Skills for Life Sciences Careers – Mentorship Workshop Recap

When transitioning from academia to industry as a recent graduate or postdoc, one might wonder if what they learn from academic life could be applied to a career path requiring skills beyond their experience. On March 20, the LSCDS Mentorship Team hosted the first workshop for the mentees in the LSCDS Mentorship Program, highlighting vital translational skills for the workplace in life sciences. The workshop consists of four sessions: mentor introductions, an in-depth case study, interactive breakout room discussions, and a summary discussion with Q&A, providing a comprehensive view of the translational skills spectrum. Mentees gained invaluable insights from four mentors through their presentations and benefitted from deep discussions through the breakout room and the Q&A sessions.

Critical Skills for Translational Success

The workshop began with introductions from mentors, each sharing a skill they had developed or a unique personal trait that distinguished them and contributed significantly to their professional success.

• Adaptability: Dr. Anna Khimchenko, Medical Science Liaison at MIMOSA Diagnostics, emphasized the importance of adaptability and how she applied this across three transitions in her career: between therapeutic areas, from academia to industry, and from technical research towards effective science communication.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Dr. Pooja Saxena, Senior Manager at BlueRock Therapeutics, highlighted the significance of having cultural sensitivity for fostering global collaboration and communication. The awareness allows us to create an inclusive environment. One can develop such an understanding of cultural diversity through academic experiences in different countries or engaging with individuals from various cultural backgrounds within their own institution.

• Big Picture Thinking: Mark Kua, Quality System Expert at Sanofi, focused on recognizing and understanding one's contributions to the organization. He emphasized articulating and communicating these contributions in a manner that resonates with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

• Relationship Building: Dr. Michelle Dubinsky, Medical Science Liaison at Boehringer Ingelheim, pointed out that expanding one’s therapeutic knowledge, coupled with strategic networking and participation in relevant extracurricular activities, is essential for building lasting professional relationships.

Besides the vital translational skills they featured, the mentors also stressed the importance of identifying the unique skills we have gained from our unique experiences (which we might have not yet realized). That is one of the key features that make one unique and that one can apply in specific professional situations.

A Deep Dive into Practical Application

A crucial part of the workshop was a case study session where the mentors showed how they practically applied the skills discussed through real-life examples. 

Anna shared her experience as a multilingual individual, how it fostered an understanding of cultural nuances and, more importantly, how such a perspective could benefit the workplace when collaborating with international organizations. Identifying shared experiences with diverse people also helps expand networking opportunities.

Pooja provided the second example of how the transferable skills she gained from extracurricular activities benefited her professional development before she realized it. Such skills include knowledge in therapeutic areas beyond her research project and soft skills like conflict resolution learned through volunteer experiences.

Mark deepened his insights into big-picture thinking by breaking critical abilities into two aspects: contributing and influencing. He pointed out that one could contribute better to the organization by increasing productivity, decision-making, and problem-solving capacity. More importantly, he suggested developing skills to influence colleagues and collaborators by improving communication skills and potential for leadership and career growth.

Michelle shared her insights into strategic planning to mitigate challenges such as limited industry experience and transition roles as a recent graduate or postdoc. Navigating the required skills and relevant experiences we could gain during our academic lives is essential. She also highlighted the importance of networking in expanding our opportunities.

Wrapping up with Inspiring Discussions 

Following the presentations, there was a breakout room session where participants engaged in lively discussions, sharing their backgrounds, challenges, and aspirations. These sessions underscored other crucial skills, including critical thinking, public speaking, and project/time management. The mentors also provided advice on structuring resumes and preparing for interviews. The summary discussion and Q&A session concluded the workshop with mentors and mentees reflecting on the importance of lay language and concise communication, and identifying one’s strengths.

Overall, the workshop on translational skills underscored LSCDS’s commitment to equipping emerging professionals with the tools necessary for a successful transition from academic research to impactful careers in the life sciences sector. Through engaging discussions, insightful case studies, and shared experiences, mentees gained a deeper understanding of the value of translational skills and the confidence to apply them in their professional journeys. If you are interested in attending our future events or being part of our featured programs in the coming year, please check our website and follow us on our social media – LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter!