Careers in Industry & Academia Is my science education worth anything?

1. Careers in Industry & AcademiaIs my science education worth anything? Steven J. Projan, Ph.D., F.A.A.M. Vice President, Biological Technologies Wyeth Research March 8, 2007

2. Common views on why people take jobs in the pharmaceutical industry • I couldn’t hack it in academia • Aren’t industry jobs easier to land than academic positions anyway? • I didn’t want to write grants • This never happens in industry, right? • I didn’t want to write papers • Nobody cares if you publish in industry, right? • There is better job security in industry • The pay and benefits are better in industry • Applied research is more fulfilling and less frustrating than “purely” academic pursuits

3. Industry companies come in three flavors • “Big Pharma” • Pfizer, JNJ, GSK, Novartis, BMS, SGP, Lilly, Merck, Sanofi-Aventis, Wyeth, Amgen, Roche, Genentech • “Established Biotechs” • Genzyme, Biogen-Idec, Millennium, Cubist • “Small Biotechs” • Less than 100 and often less than 50 people • The average biotech lasts less than four years (or about the same as an NFL running back) • But remember that none of these companies is “stable”

4. What does industry want? • Great scientists with established expertise • True at ALL levels • Team players • If you can’t collaborate then you will not do well in any industrial setting • Pride of outcome vs. pride of ownership • People with excellent communication skills • If cannot present than you will hit a (low) ceiling • If you don’t publish you won’t get very far either • Diversity (especially in Big Pharma) • A workforce that really understands the consumers of our products

5. So what this mean for jobs in the Industry? • Consolidation means fewer jobs • Especially in the drug discovery and development arenas • There are multiple applicants for each job • But still relatively few “high quality” applicants • Most people from academic backgrounds know relatively litte about pharmacology! • Price pressure (which will only increase) means wholesale industry restructuring • Outsourcing and Off-shoring are soon to be (if not already) the rule • Willingness to work outside the U.S. will increasingly become a plus

6. Which Jobs? What Skills? • The best jobs are in Drug Discovery (and Development) • Fewer jobs does not mean no jobs • One potential area of job growth is on the process development, QA, QC side of the equation • Think about what jobs your skill sets can be applied to • Moral of the story: • Build upon your (demonstrable) skill sets: Eg. Cell Biology AND Biochemistry • And it wouldn’t hurt if you knew some pharmacology • There are always jobs for people who develop animal models of disease

7. So is an industry worth it? • You bet it is! • Where else can you find a job where your work will impact on the health of the human race? • Remember that over 92% of all therapeutics and vaccines have been discovered and nearly all have been developed by the pharmaceutical industry • Don’t buy the “crap” from self-serving industry critics • To succeed you must be every bit as good (and probably even better) than your academic colleagues • There is a no more challenging job • But is there a no more gratifying job

8. Biotech vs. Big Pharma • The jobs are more similar than different • Maybe you wear more hats in Biotech, But contrary to popular belief you do not work cheaper, just poorer • Job security is probably worse in “small” biotech companies than big pharma • What is the “burn rate”? • Profitability does not equal job security! • But it doesn’t hurt • Successful Biotech companies get acquired, unsuccesfful companies get acquired • By the way…how much do these jobs pay??? • And can I have a family maybe???

9. Preparing a CV…for an industry job application • Similar but definitely different from an academic CV • NB. A majority of industry hires now come from on line job applicants

10. Overview • Your CV is a vehicle to describe yourself to someone who does not know you • Be professional and be neat (even if you are neither!) • The three most important attributes of a CV are accuracy, accuracy and accuracy • Avoid puffery, avoid internet or imaginary degrees (and the like), honesty is the best policy • Make sure the important stuff in on the first page • Make sure you have both hard copy and electronic versions

11. The Essentials • Who you are (but how much personal information should be supplied?) • Note that employers cannot take into consideration things like marital status, children etc. However you may consider it important for potential employers to know such things (e.g. if your significant other is going to require a job, relocation etc. • Contact information • Make sure people can contact you easily • Education • Be complete – include dates, degrees, major/area of study, mentors • Employment History • My preference is that you start with your current job and work backwards, again provide details, even brief descriptions of responsibilities, number of people supervised

12. More Essentials • Skills • But do not go overboard • You may wish to highlight presentation/written skills in certain contexts • Awards and honors • Include grants here unless you have so many that it would require a separate section • Career Goals • What do you want to be when you grow up • Publications • Include abstracts (separately) but not internal reports • Presentations • External only

13. Maybe yes, maybe no • Hobbies • Membership in professional organizations • Often this is kind of a filler • Visa status

14. DO NOTS! (Avoid Identity Theft!) • Do not include your tax payer ID/social security number • Do not provide you date of birth • Please do not include a personal mission statement

15. Job Hunting - The Cover Letter • Essential when applying for a specific position or a position with a specific laboratory or company • State the position (or type of job) you are looking for • Indicate your willingness (or lack of willingness) to relocate • Do you have geographical preferences? • Salary requirements • Or would you prefer to work for free? • Availability • When can you start a new job?

16. Finding Jobs: • On line…you better be computer savvy • Publish!!! • Networking, networking thou shalt pursue • Meetings…posters and presentations • Pay out of your own pocket if you have to • Job fairs • Seminar speakers at your own institution • Presentation skills! • Power corrupts, PowerPoint corrupts absolutely! • But make sure it’s a good fit!! • Do you really want to do the job you are interviewing for?