On February 6, 2015 at TEC-SMART in Malta, Bioconnex held a Bioconnex Speed Mentoring Event: What's Your Next Step? Paths from College to a Career in Science. This event provided an opportunity for students in the Life Sciences to learn from senior members of scientific organizations located in the Capital Region about career objectives and goals. The focus of the event was various Speed Mentoring Roundtable discussions during which mentors and students discussed various career paths and objectives. The roundtable discussions included:

• Getting the Job: It’s Self-marketing, Jennifer Preville,  Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI)
• The Academic Career Path:  The Entrepreneurial Spirit, Sridar V. Chittur, PhD, MBA, Center for Functional Genomics, SUNY Albany
• The Business of Science: Making a Difference, Jamie C. Rusconi, Ph.D., Denali Center for Wellness            
• Making Science Happen: Non-traditional Careers in Science, James F. Grabowski, Ph.D., AMRI
• Working in Industry Laboratories: Making Science a Career, Peter C. Michels, Ph.D., AMRI

Following the discussions, attendees enjoyed networking and refreshments. Students from Hudson Valley Community College, Skidmore College, and Union College attended.

Members of the Bioconnex Advisory Committee include:  Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany Medical Center, AMRI, Center for Economic Growth, GE Global Research Center - Biosciences GTO, Hudson Valley Community College, Krackeler Scientific, Inc., NewYorkBIO, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Skidmore College, Taconic, and the University at Albany.

About Bioconnex

The Bioconnex network is dedicated to the development and growth of the biotechnology community, and to strengthening the competitiveness of the Capital Region and Tech Valley as the premier global location for biotechnology research, education and industry. Visit www.bioconnex.org.

About the Center for Economic Growth
CEG is the leading economic development organization in New York’s Tech Valley and serves as the Capital Region’s designated Regional Technology Development Center (RTDC). A private, non-profit, membership-based organization, CEG drives economic growth by working with partners in business, government, and education on strategic initiatives to grow local companies, attract new industry and investment, and prepare communities for future growth.  CEG receives significant financial support from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, which works to facilitate the integration of innovation and technology throughout New York’s economic development efforts, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) / Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and National Grid.

As the designated RTDC for the New York State’s Capital Region and one of nearly 350 MEP locations across the country, CEG is charged with assisting local manufacturing and technology companies generate new sales, create stronger operational infrastructure, and overcome barriers to growth. Visit www.ceg.org.