“I applied your resume/cover letter strategies presented last week in the NCET2 webinar and am looking forward to a phone interview next week. You gave me the courage to change the focus of my letter and bring in more extracurricular experiences.

“I participated in yesterday’s “Preparing for Industry” webinar. Thought it was absolutely fabulous. Would like to learn more about SciPhD.”

“The SciPhd and the CSO program gave me the tools and strategies required when I was trying to look for alternative careers. I can testify that it worked in my case. The course helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses which enabled me to focus on amending my resume to showcase how I stand out from the rest of the applicants. I also used several helpful practical advices during my interview which I believe helped me secure my first job in industry. I would sincerely like to thank the SciPhD and CSO team. Keep spreading the knowledge and information. We (post-docs and graduate students) really need it!!”

I am currently at the decision point between an academic and non-academic career. I found this workshop equally useful for both. I learned how to market myself and how to do a basic idea pitch. The skills that I learned in terms of negotiation have already proved useful as I was able to negotiate for a small increase in my base postdoc stipend but also a sizeable moving allowance as I start my first postdoc. The project management topics were useful to get me thinking about all that goes into a new project, and how to start my postdoc on the best footing possible.

I entered the job market as a recent graduate with an M.S in Engineering Management (which essentially combined engineering skills in bio-technology with business training).  I thought my business background would be an immediate asset for potential employers, but after a few months I quickly realized that was not the case.  To simply put it,  I did not know how to convince employers that a business background would be useful in an engineering/science position.

I then talked to Randy and completed the SciPhD program.  Once I completed the online training and discussed the results with Randy, I learned how to explain my skills using examples from my past research alongside my business training.  The program gave me new confidence in my job search and within two months I had found the perfect job at a large pharma company.

    Thank you SciPhD!

Shortly after attending the Bootcamp, a friend forwarded to me an ad for an almost perfect job in industry. Using the skills I learned in the Bootcamp to identify the critical competencies described in the ad, I sent off a vastly improved cover letter and the hiring manager responded immediately to schedule a phone interview. Prior to the phone and group interviews, I found myself going back to the Bootcamp materials to review the rules and protocols espoused by the Bootcamp leaders. I was also better prepared for the business aspects of the interview, having learned some of the business jargon, perspectives, and expectations. Overall, I found the Bootcamp enjoyable and worthwhile!