Marty Wong
Clinical Project Director
Merz Aesthetics
Matthew Salem
Marketing Content Editor
Agilent Technologies
Dr. Kevin Moore
Pharmaceutical Biotech Consultant
Former Executive Director Research &
Scientific Executive Director with Amgen
Steve Joachim
VP of R&D of Medical Devices
Cordis Corporation
A Johnson & Johnson Company

What is your view of the biotech industry and the role of your company within it?
• Biotech is saving and improving lives
• Primary goals are to reduce mortality and health risks
• Walks the line between tech and biology
• Utilizes newest technology to help people
• Understanding human disease & genetics combined with modern technology to develop medical solutions
• Biotech utilizes science details, experimental design and testing

What tips would you give students to help them get a job in the biotech industry? How important are advanced degrees?
• Network, network, network
• Use LinkedIn
• Informational Interviews
• Be open to entry level jobs
• Get an internship
• Show passion, curiosity and energy
• Best company fit
• Advanced degrees are necessary for certain positions

What are the trends you are seeing in your industry?
• Healthcare cost/economics
• Global markets
• Clinical Trials & FDA
• Large companies acquiring small companies
• Marketing products through various channels is highly critical
• Greater expectation of career mobility— employees do not stay with a company for extended periods

How can one get into leadership in these companies?
• Usually requires Masters or Phd
• Company may pay for your tuition
• Broad range of opportunities

Where are the centers for intellectual property?
• Bay Area
• Boston
• Research Triangle, NC
• San Diego area

If biotech is global, how can one get exposure to overseas opportunities?
• Work for a large company with global opportunties
• Be willing to move—Flexibility
• Speaking the language is not neccessary

Is it possible to move from med school to biotech?
• Yes, this background can be helpful
• Other ways to prepare:
• R&D Labs
• Internships
• Participate in Academic Labs

All of you have mentioned networking. Can you give more tips on that? What levels of employees should we try to connect with?
• Clean up Facebook & other social media sites
• Ask for what you want
• Clearly indicate goals in LinkedIn
• Propose an internship to a company
• Connect with someone who is 1-2 levels above you
• Look for connections in social and family circle
• Talk to as many people as you can

What if you have no experience in the field yet? How do you start on your resume?
• Show accomplishments in studies, projects
• Internships
• Co-authorship scientific work
• Have References
• Emphasize transitional skills from prior jobs
• Show how strengths can be applied

What helps a candidate get past screening to an interview?
• Resume must meet basic job requirements
• Don’t just list key words
• Show you have skills, experience
• Living local helps
• Be prepared for phone screens—Attitude is important
• Tell your story
• Rehearse & study like an exam

SUMMARY
• Biotech is combines science and technology to produce product or services to help improve or save people’s lives
• Products can take a very long time to go to market
• Industry trends: Healthcare Cost, FDA , Clinical
Trials, Globalization
• Broad spectrum of careers and industries: non-lab careers
• Not all biotech careers require an advanced degree
• Being “passionate” is very important to be successful in this career
• Employers look for “cultural fit”
• Networking is one of the best ways to get opportunities
• LinkedIn, internships, research experience

• http://baybio.org/
• http://www.bio.org/
• http://www.biodevicegroup.org/
• http://www.whybiotech.com/
• http://biopharmguy.com/services/
• http://www.kellyservices.com/global/science/
• http://www.gilead.com/careers/careers/currentopportunities