Career Development Symposium

This unique annual symposium, organized by the Postdoctoral Association (PDA) since 2017 and now in collaboration with Your Future in Science, gathers postdocs and grad students from across the greater Chicago area and country to connect, network, collaborate and learn about different PhD career paths. The goal of this event is to educate postdocs and grad students about careers in academia, industry, communications, business, and beyond. We bring in outstanding speakers and panelists to come share their experience to inspire budding postdocs and graduate students into fulfilling careers.

 

The 8th Annual Career Development Symposium was held on Friday, September 13th, 2024 in the Thompson Rooms at UIC Student Center West.

2024 Career Development Symposium Agenda

Event TimeProgram
9:30-10 amRegistration and check-in
9:30 am-5 pmProfessional Headshot sign-up, sponsored by UIC Career Services. Slots will be given on a first come, first served basis. Headshots will be held on Wednesday, September 18 from 12-2 pm in SCW
10-11 amOpening Remarks by Joanna Groden, PhD, UIC Vice Chancellor for Research

Interactive Workshop: Elevate Your Interview Game-A STEM Professional's Guide with Merle Ward, MBA, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor at UL Research Institutes

Join UL Research Institute's Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor, Merle Ward, for an empowering workshop designed to help STEM professionals stand out with confidence in their interviews. "Elevate Your Interview Game" is a dynamic conversation that will guide you through refining your interview approach, preparing effectively, and articulating both your soft and technical skills in impactful ways. With Merle Ward's insights, you'll learn how to communicate your contribution and worth with strength and respect, setting yourself up for success and career offers. Don't miss this transformative opportunity to enhance your interview skills and advance your scientific career.
11 am-12 pmCareer Panel 1: Entrepreneurship

Dimitra Georganopoulou, PhD, General Partner at Qral Ventures

Amanda Maldonado, PhD, Innovation Portfolio Manager at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Karol Sokolowski, PhD, Director of Strategic Growth at Portal Innovations
12-1 pmNetworking lunch
1-2 pmPanel 2: Applying Your Skills to Industries You May Not Have Considered

Kyle Dolan, PhD, Head of Science and Innovation at British Consulate-General Chicago

Timothy Duncan, PhD, Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the US Food and Drug Administration

Noah Metoki-Shlubsky, PhD, Technical Project Manager, Center for Translational Data Science at the University of Chicago
2-3 pmPanel 3: Making the Transition from Academia

Jonathan Bisson, PhD, Senior Software Engineer at Collaborative Drug Discovery

Schnaude Dorizan, PhD, Venture Acceleration Manager at MATTER

Svetlana Kurilova, PhD, Associate Technology Manager at UIC Office of Technology Management
3-3:15 pmCoffee and networking break
3:15-4 pmKeynote Address by Sandra Torres, MBA, Business Marketing Manager at Western Digital, Founder/CEO of LaterAcademia, and Women In Bio Chicago Co-Chair
4-5 pmNetworking Reception hosted by CHIentist with raffle from Proteintech

2024 Career Development Symposium: Thank You to Our Sponsors!

UIC Office of Career Services logo
UIC Office of Career Services
Career Services empowers you to find your fit in the world of work. We offer one-on-one advising, career preparation programs, and events to help connect you with opportunities.
UIC Office of Technology Management Logo
UIC Office of Technology Management
OTM commercializes research & educational activities at UIC. Our mission is to encourage innovation, enhance research, and facilitate economic development through the transfer of intellectual property.
Proteintech Logo
Proteintech
As a company founded by scientists, Proteintech Group recognizes the tireless efforts and sacrifices made by researchers to advance scientific discovery.
HappiLabs Logo
HappiLabs
By supporting scientists, we’re helping everyone on the planet benefit from their inventions and discoveries. The HappiLabs mission is to improve the happiness of scientists and the quality of their research.
CHIentist Logo
Chientist
CHIentist is a grassroots initiative that seeks to create a sense of community and build new connections among life scientists and professionals in the Chicago area by encouraging networking on a regular basis.
New England BioLabs Logo with Monarch Butterfly
New England Biolabs
Founded in the mid-1970s as a collective of scientists committed to developing innovative products for the life sciences industry, NEB is now a recognized world leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications.

Past Symposia