The Life Sciences Career Symposium held Nov. 21 was a big success thanks to a great planning committee initiated by BMB Grad Student Keri Smith and Microbiology representative, Grad Student Alecia Septer. Made up of eight students, the organizational committee members each represented a department/organization which provided funding.  Those sponsors included the Career Center, Chemistry, CCRC, BMB, Genetics, BGSA, Microbiology, Cell Biology, CTEG, Infectious Diseases, SD^2, and BHSI.

Dr. Ryn Miake-Lye, the Microbiology Department sponsored speaker, proved to be a big hit. Her panel address about Science Writing, Entrepreneurship and Project Management was valuable information taken in by about 100 graduate students attending. Other topics covered by the additional speakers at this all day career event included Government and Funding Agencies, Patent Law and Intellectual Property, Biotech and Biotech Equity Research. The symposium also revealed additional areas where students could use more direction, such as management skills, networking strategies, and balancing family and careers.  The Microbiology Department had a significant influence on the symposium and contributed greatly to the success of this inaugural event.