Maximizing Your Potential & Making A Difference

1. Maximizing Your Potential & Making A Difference Dr. Sharon L. Milgram Director, NIH OITE

2. Elements of Career Planning School/Job School/Job search Try it on Gain credentials Know Self Know Options

3. Elements of Career Planning Job Job search Gain credentials Try it on Know Self Know Options

4. The Story Begins in Philadelphia

5. The Story Begins in Philadelphia Philadelphia chromosome identified (1959) Translocation Identified (1973) Discovery of genes Involved (1983) Identification of Bcr-ablas a misregulated protein tyrosine kinase (1990) Nature.com

6. And Moved To Novartis screen for chemical inhibitors of Bcr-abl (1996) Confirmation; chemical modification and optimization (1996-7) Clinical trials (1998) FDA approval (2001) Gleevec (Imatinib)

7. How Does Gleevec (imatinib) Work? Druker B J Blood 2008;112:4808-4817

8. 40 Years and Countless Contributions And many different jobs: intellectual property law technology transfer research and development project management clinical trial management Regulatory affairs/policy Manufacturing quality control Communications marketing & sales Business & finance Patient/Medical liasons consumer safety experts grants administration science policy In many types of science: Basic Science Translational Science Clinical Science Patient Care In all sectors: Academic Industry Government Non-Profit

9. And This Was An “Easy” Problem! • Most diseases are multifactorial with biological/genetic, environmental, and behavioral elements • Emerging pathogens have the ability to rapidly spread and evade immune detection/elimination • The causes of many diseases are still unknown and “good” drug targets are difficult to identify

10. The Challenges • The personal, communal, and financial burdens of disability and chronic diseases • Health disparities and inequalities • Threats to our environment • Complexity of medical and scientific decisions • Disconnect between science and society

11. The Opportunities • We know so much • We have many resources and technologies • There are many job opportunities

12. The Opportunities Basic Science Clinical Science Patient Care Public Health Global Health Environmental Health Science Education Broadly trained Know their “stuff” Adaptable, flexible & resilient Can work well on teams Values diversity Can communicate at many levels

13. How You Can Prepare • Focus on: • Academic skills • Personal growth and development • Explore options by: • Finding role models and doing informational interviews • Attending programs on campus and in the community • Doing internships • Gain Credentials by: • Doing internships • Volunteering for hands-on experience • Learning, beyond (or in) the classroom

14. Why Do A Research Internship? Apply book learning in the real-world way Expand professional networks Find role models and mentors “Try on” a career field Learn work skills Learn life skills

15. The National Institutes of Health “The Nation’s biomedical research institution” • A Federal Agency composed of 27 Institutes and Centers • Emphasis on social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences • Basic, translational and clinical research

16. Core Components of the NIH Mission • Research • Communication • Training

17. NIH I/Cs NHLBI NINR OD NCI NIAMS NCCAM NIEHS NIMH NEI CIT NIDA NLM NINDS CC NIDDK NIBIB NIMHD NIAID NIDCR NHGRI NIDCD NIA NIAAA NICHD NIGMS FIC CSR NCRR

18. Bench-to-Bedside Research at the NIH Clinical Center • 240 bed research hospital • 7,000 inpatient visits/yr • 72,600 outpatient visits/yr For information on clinical trials: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ We seek diversity in our clinical trials!

19. Training Opportunities At All Levels

20. Professional Development Opportunities NIH • Science skills ‘intensive’ • Focused journal clubs • Going to Graduate School Series • Going to Professional School Series • Science Writing Courses • Networking and Career Exploration Workshops • Access to pre-professional and pre-graduate advising • Access to NIH Career Services Center in the OITE • NIH-wide poster sessions • NIH Graduate and Professional School Fair

21. Important Points Regarding Intramural Training Opportunities • Some programs have firm deadlines and start dates; others use rolling admissions and flexible start dates • There are unique requirements and eligibility criteria for each program • Selection process varies by program • Read our FAQs and then email if you need further clarification

22. Learning About Opportunities • Office of Intramural Training & Education • www.training.nih.gov • Office of Clinical Research Training & Medical Education • http://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/training/index.html

23. The Undergraduate Scholarship Program • Up to $20,000/yr to cover educational expenses for undergraduates enrolled in 4-year colleges • One-year payback for each year of scholarship support • Ten-weeks during the summer after each scholarship year • Remainder after graduation and as an NIH employee • Eligibility: • U.S. citizen or permanent resident • GPA ≥ 3.5 • Financial need • Major in a field relevant to medical research (physical, social, behavioral and life sciences)

24. NIH Intramural SIP • Eight+ week research experience at all levels • High School • College (including the CCSEP) • Medical/Dental • Graduate (MS, MPH, PhD, PharmD, PsyD, etc) • Opportunities on all NIH campuses • Many workshops, journal clubs, and educational opportunities • Access to pre-graduate/pre-professional advising and career counseling • End-of-summer poster session Want good advice – watch my YouTube video! And email me for feedback before you apply!

25. NIH Community College Summer Enrichment Program (CCSEP) • Program for community college STEM students with an interest in research-oriented internships • Mentored research experience in the NIH Intramural Program in Bethesda • Group activities focus on science/professional skills development, and the transition to a four-year college/university

26. For College Grads & Beyond • Postbac/Technical IRTA Program • Focused research experience in an NIH research group • Many workshops and educational programs • Pre-graduate/pre-professional and career advising • Selection of program depends on time since undergrad degree • Graduate Partnerships Program • In collaboration with US and international universities • Up to five-years of training leading to a PhD degree • Many career and professional development opportunities • Postdoctoral Fellowships • Advanced training in basic, translational and clinical research • Up to five-years of training leading to a variety of career paths

27. Key Variables For NIH Trainees • Level of confidence • Both extremes are problematic • Impact of gender, culture, family, etc • Level of commitment • Hours and intellectual engagement • Academic preparation • Not just in the sciences • Hands-on knowledge and professional skills • Lab math • Ability to read a scientific paper • Writing skills • Knowledge of specific techniques/tools

28. Finding Research Mentors Search the NIH ANNUAL REPORTS at https://www.training.nih.gov/programs Read the information on finding mentors at https://www.training.nih.gov/mentoring_guidelines Get tips on applying and other resources for applicants at https://www.training.nih.gov/nih_resources#Other%20Online

29. What We Are Looking For A clear commitment to biomedical, behavioral or social science research and a discussion of the goals of the training experience A cogent discussion of any previous research experiences; in the absence of previous experience, students should focus on classroom learning Letters of recommendation from people who know the student in a research or academic setting An application free of typos and grammatical errors NIH scientists want to know “WHY ME?”; generic spam does not work

30. Consider A Changing Landscape • We increasingly talk about and look for: • Quantitative solutions • Evidence-based medicine • Interdisciplinary work • Teamwork and leadership skills • Inclusive and open work environments • Adaptability and flexibility in the workplace • You have the opportunity to make science and medicine more family/life friendly

31. How You Can Prepare • Focus on: • Expanding your academic skill set • Exploring new disciplines and creative ways to solving problems • Developing your emotional intelligence and “people skills” • Building your network and taking advantage of opportunities • Keep your options open by: • Exploring careers at programs on your campus and in the community • Finding role models, doing informational interviews, and looking for opportunities for practical experiences • Using your summers wisely • Find mentors to guide and advise you along the way

32. Tips for Success • Asking for help is a sign of strength • Study groups and community can make all the difference • Finding the right mentors, and keeping in touch with old ones, should be a priority • Take care of your spiritual, physical and mental health • Remember - many of us thought we weren’t good enough • Communication skills develop with practice - start now • Assertiveness skills also develop with practice

33. The NIH Cares About You! • www.nih.gov for health information for you, your family and your community • www.training.nih.gov for career information and NIH intramural training programs • Connect with me on Linked-In (please no Facebook requests) • Email me at milgrams@od.nih.gov; I am happy to talk with anyone interested in training at the NIH and can connect you to other people who may be able to help you