Networking is Key to Biomanufacturing Career Advancement

Biotech professionals remain in high demand with so many rapid advancements in biomanufacturing and cell and gene therapy. As you consider advancing your career and where to take your talents, networking is essential. Learn more about why it’s important and the best platforms to help you achieve your career goals.  

Why is networking so important in biomanufacturing? 

Strategic networking early in your biomanufacturing career is the best way to break into the field. In the webinar “Navigating Your Biomanufacturing Career,” Ron Copeland, Sr. Director of Protein Chemistry/Quality Control at NextCure, explained the intricacies of industry education and how networking significantly impacted his career. 

“The same executives at NextCure brought me in at my previous role at Amplimmune…I spent five years as a postdoc at Johns Hopkins. Three years into my postdoc, I knew I didn’t want to be a professor, so I spent my last two years trying to get into [the] industry. Postdocs that have a Ph.D. are overqualified for entry-level positions but not qualified for mid-level jobs, so how do you get your foot in the door?”   

“Networking got my foot in the door. My future boss had a professor-friend at Hopkins who put my name in the hat and based on her recommendations, I got the job. Networking is a big part of the industry,” he added.  “You can also network with your current team. Remember, you can network even if you do have a job.” 

Networking has many benefits.

With so many companies hiring and competing for top talent in today’s market, networking is more than an opportunity to get your foot in the door. It is also a great way to determine if a company or team is the right fit for you. If your career is already established, you can use networking to get valuable insight from colleagues in other companies. Your network is an opportunity to assess a particular company’s values and mission, overall company culture,howemployees are treated, and even team dynamics and the tenor of cross-functional relationships (which are important in this industry). This kind of strategic networking will result in you finding a company that aligns with your immediate and long-term goals.  

The best strategy for networking in the biomanufacturing industry. 

Networking exists in a variety of forms. And it doesn’t always have to be formal.  Focus your informal connections on shared experiences or interests. Here are some example questions you can use to map out your potential network:

• Did you go to the same university?
• Does someone in your field share common hobbies?
• Have you been to the same conferences?
• Have you received the same awards, recommendations, or other allocations? 
• Have you both worked with the same coworkers or companies?
• Does a potential connection follow or support the same team?
• Do you engage in similar volunteer or charitable opportunities?
• Are there people in the field with whom you could develop mentor/mentee relationships? 

If nothing else, you likely have a shared passion for biotech and solving critical scientific challenges.  

Where can you network?

Whether virtual or in-person, there are a variety of avenues to connect with fellow biomanufacturing professionals. LinkedIn is an excellent space for targeted communications with peers working at companies you’re considering. Additionally, professional, scientific organizations such as PDA, ISPE, NIIMBL, ASGCT, and local organizations such as California Life Sciences, MassBio, Ontario Science Centre, Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute (THBI), Maryland Life Sciences (MDLS) are great for connecting with fellow professionals. And you can engage these organizations to alsodevelop new skills and experiences to add to your resume.  

Network with recruiters who are experts in their fields

Finally, one of the best ways you can advance your career in biomanufacturing is to connect with the experts at Kelly Science & Clinical. Roughtly 80% of our Science & Clinical team holds science degrees.. And not only are we focused on placing science talent into professional roles, but we are also passionate about helping people like you further your career. 

Notably, we have upskilled over 1,200 science professionals in the US and Europe over the past year. So if you’re networking and looking into your next role, let’s start a conversation about your future today. (how can they contact you?)