The CWRU School of Medicine Career Exposure Program for Phd and Master S Students

The CWRU School of Medicine Career Exposure Program for PhD and Master’s Students

According to a recent NIH Biomedical Workforce Working Group report, approximately 80 percent of PhD graduates will choose non-academic careers, while 20 percent of PhD graduates will continue in academics in tenured-track positions.

and… According to the Commission on the Future of Graduate Education in the United States, the number of jobs requiring an advanced degree is estimated to grow by 2.5 million by 2018. Of that number, those requiring a PhD are projected to increase 17 percent.

The CWRU School of Medicine Internship and Career Exposure Program provides career guidance and support to PhD and Master’s students pursuing biomedical science degrees and simultaneously develops partnerships with organizations and mentors who recognize the skills of such students. During paid or non-paid, short- term exposure or work experiences with employers/mentors, PhD and Master’s students explore future career opportunities, and employers network with and mentor talented and highly skilled students, further developing the talent pipeline for their organizations.

Select areas of internships:

Advocacy Business Development Consulting Education Industry R&D Medical & Science Communication Non-Profit Management Patent Law Policy & Government Administration Start- Public Health Ups Regulatory Affairs Technical Sales Research Venture Capital & Finance

How the program works: A mentor and student spend time together for a paid or non-paid work or exposure experience that is beneficial to both the employer and student. The timeframe and duration of the experience is flexible where the mentor and student agree on the duration of the work experience and to an hourly and weekly work schedule, some examples include:

• Career mentor: connect with student for an hour or two 2-3 times/year • Immersion experience: 6–48 contact hours, typically over a short period • Volunteer experience: part time—from 3 days to 6 weeks to 12 months • Special project: timeframe based on the duration of the project • Shadowing experience: 8–40 contact hours (one full day, 4 hours per day, for 6 weeks) • Part-time internship: 5–20 contact hours per week for 6–18 months • Full-time, paid internship for Master’s students: from 6 weeks to 6 months

Program benefits for students: During the experience, students will clarify career goals as he or she: • Realizes the results of applied skills in a non-academic career • Identifies ways to adapt skills for a variety of occupations and work environments • Gains broader perspectives of careers that require his or her skills and talents • Identifies ways to adapt skills for a variety of occupations and work environments • Learns the business side of science and technology • Develops personal and interpersonal skills for relationship building to broaden professional networks

For more information on how to join this program, email Cheryl Thompson ([email protected])

[This should go in a separate section for employers/mentors] Are you a company or professional interested in mentoring a graduate student in a biomedical science field?

Skills, talents, and attributes PhD and Master’s students will bring to your organization: During graduate school, students become trained in broad spectrums of professional skills required for their academic success and their success in the world of work.

Skills • Technical and scientific • Communication: written, oral, print and digital presentations • Organizational • Quantitative: data mining, statistical analysis, mathematical modeling, locating and assimilating data, quickly making sense of complex information • Analytical and logical problem solving

Talents • Information creators: locate and assimilate data quickly • Creative and critical thinkers: identify the problem, find the right problem, find the answer to the problem • Unconventional thinkers: offer fresh outlooks in areas where he or she is not an expert • Independent and collaborative workers

Attributes • Naturally inclined to deal with complex issues • Independently motivated • Resilient and adaptable: can adapt to a variety of projects and teams • Performs under deadline and sees tasks to completion • Maintains focus, tenacity, and discipline in even the most challenging situations

Program benefits for an employer mentoring a PhD or Master’s student: While mentoring a student during a short-term work experience, you will come to know how his or her talents and skills can add value to your organization. This time spent together can also serve as an extended interview for possible full-time employment.

• Network with talented, energetic PhD and Master’s students eager to apply their skills to your company goals and projects • Identify high-potential talent needed for career paths and opportunities within your organization and industry • Through student engagement, solve complex and challenging projects and gain fresh perspectives and problem-solving methods that can be applied to a broad range of company projects • Join Case Western Reserve University in enriching the future of scientific education

For more information on how to partner with us as part of this program, email Cheryl Thompson ([email protected])