2007 Trainee Symposia on
"Multiple Career Paths for a Physiologist: Understand Your Options and How to Get There"
(sponsored by the Trainee Advisory Committee)
Organizers:
Erica A. Wehrwein (Michigan State University)
Jennifer L. Pluznick, Ph.D. (Yale University)
Sean D. Stocker, Ph.D. (University of Kentucky)
In recent years, there has been increased competition for faculty positions at Research 1 (R1) Institutions/Medical Schools. This presents a situation where many students and post-doctoral fellows are pursuing other career paths, thus generating increased interest in career development sessions. Although career development sessions have traditionally focused on positions at R1 Institutions/Medical Schools, several other career choices are also available. Analysis of the Trainee Advisory Committee’s survey indicated that trainees desire to be better informed about these multiple career paths for physiologists, including what skills are required, how to best prepare, and how to obtain these positions. Therefore, we have organized a career development session that will examine different career paths, including both ‘academic’ and ‘industry’ positions. Experienced speakers will discuss their careers in a variety of settings, including a small undergraduate College (Research/Teaching position), Community College (primarily teaching), Large Pharmaceutical Company, and Small Pharmaceutical Company, and will focus on practical issues and skills necessary to be competitive within each of these career paths. We are confident that the timing of this topic and its invited speakers are appropriate, and would be attractive to postdoctoral fellows (at all stages), as well as students nearing graduation. Furthermore, this session may give senior scientists, responsible for recruiting and hiring, insight into the concerns of future hires. Based on our successful format at EB ’06, we propose a session involving both oral presentations by invited speakers at different stages in their careers, and a breakout session in where trainees can have specific concerns/questions addressed by interacting individually with the speaker. We believe that this session will be a valuable and informative session for trainees interested in exploring multiple career paths available to physiologists.
Presentations (see audio and PowerPoints from each presentation below)
Perspectives from a Small Undergraduate College
Margaret Anderson, Ph.D. (Smith College)
Opportunities in Industry: Small Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Company
Jelveh Lameh, Ph.D. (ACADIA Pharmaceuticals)
Perspectives from a U.S. Government Scientist
Edward J. Zambraski, Ph.D. (US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine)
Insight into a Career in Scientific Writing
Keri Kles Poi, Ph.D. (Eli Lilly & Company)