In September 2014, the NIH Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) Initiative awarded Rutgers University with a grant to initialize and establish the Rutgers Interdisciplinary Job Opportunities for Biomedical Scientists (iJOBS) program, which aims to better prepare biomedical students and postdocs for nonacademic careers. As we reach the two year mark, let’s take a brief review of the successes and challenges so far, and then follow up with a sneak preview of what is coming ahead. iJOBS in Review To successfully lay down the foundations of the iJOBS program and ensure that biomedical trainees are aware of its existence, the grant team made a great effort to disseminate information about iJOBS and recruit participants. This was achieved during the Fall 2014 semester by conducting several informational seminars, and by giving participants every assistance possible in order to get permission and support from their faculty advisors. Of the principal investigators (PIs) who have responded, we have a 97% approval rate. As mentioned in a previous blog post, iJOBS has three phases, or levels of training opportunities for participants. Phase I consists of different types of events: career panels on different professions (e.g. clinical and regulatory science, government research, academic research, non-profit, medical science liaison); seminars and workshops on leadership, science communication, networking, and other essential professional skills; and site visits to industrial partners in New Jersey (Eli Lilly, Novartis, Merck). In addition to this, the leaders facilitate an annual iJOBS symposium and career fair. Workshops and career panels were initially offered only to trainees on Busch/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and New Jersey Medical School campuses. However, in the most recent academic year, the training program sessions were made available to over 1300 Rutgers PhD students and postdocs, including trainees from Rutgers Cook/Douglas, Newark, and Camden campuses. Not only was iJOBS able to fulfill the NIH mission to reach out to non-BEST institutions, but also the program is currently available to all PhD degree granting institutions in New Jersey. Participants from Princeton University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Rowan University have taken advantage of iJOBS events free of charge. Beyond this, word about iJOBS has even spread beyond the state borders, and trainees from Stony Brook University, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and other schools have attended several iJOBS events. In September 2015, Phase I activities were expanded to increase the number of interactive workshops and case studies on different topics such as patent law and consulting. [caption id="attachment_1115" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
iJOBS trainees in various Phase I activities[/caption] Trainees in Phase II of the iJOBS program are offered a more in-depth training in their chosen career tracks, including coursework and shadowing professionals in the workplace. In the first year, 21 applicants were accepted into Phase II who had very successful experiences. They were able to interact with students from other disciplines who offered them a fresh perspective. Additionally, during their shadowing experiences, the Phase II recruits not only gained insight into the daily doings of different jobs, they also developed very strong networks with professionals who work in the very careers that they aspire to work in. An additional 10 applicants were accepted into Phase II last year, who will enjoy the same intensive and focused training that the previous batch had. Although the trainees that go on to Phase II are only a small number of Phase I trainees, the program directors have observed that many Phase I trainees become empowered by their iJOBS experience to seek opportunities for hands-on experience on their own. In fact, through informational interviews and networking during iJOBS events, several trainees have managed to find internships, writing, and editing opportunities on their own. One such example is the formation of a Consulting Club that is composed of iJOBS trainees who are now participating in case competitions in the region. Another trainee-inspired and implemented project that resulted from the program is the creation of the iJOBS blog, which is a completely trainee-driven blog where iJOBS participants communicate their thoughts and opinions on the training, while also gaining invaluable experience and skills for a career in science communication at the same time. The blog initially had 9 founding writers but after a year is now a group of 15 writers and editors. Within its first year, the blog already has over a hundred posts ranging from iJOBS event summaries, article reviews, and informational interviews with professionals from a variety of careers. In addition, the group maintains Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts in order to better publicize their blog posts and iJOBS events as well as learn about social media promotion. [caption id="attachment_1116" align="aligncenter" width="760"]
Trainee-initiated Consulting club at the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Case Competition (left to right): iJOBS trainees Andrea Grey, Serom Lee, Sarah Misenko, Kathryn Drzewiecki, and Chris Lowe.[/caption] Summary The first two years of the program have had considerable success in providing biomedical scientists with information and training to better prepare them for nonacademic careers. In addition to meeting the grant objective, iJOBS has significantly forged and strengthened connections with surrounding industrial partners in New Jersey, who host site visits, participate in the career panels, and recruit at the career fairs. The leadership team actively interacts directly with hiring managers to make companies aware of the iJOBS program and to showcase the skills and experiences trainees have obtained from the program. Through these different avenues for connection, many companies in New Jersey have begun sending directed job postings and internship opportunities directly to iJOBS which are being forwarded to trainees. Stay tuned for the next post for exciting previews on upcoming iJOBS events and where the program is headed! In the meantime, for those new to the iJOBS program, here are some useful links to different pages on the iJOBS site to help you get started: Introduction to iJOBS - http://ijobs.rutgers.edu/about.php Meet the great people who make iJOBS happen - http://ijobs.rutgers.edu/team.php Latest News, Events, and Job Openings - http://ijobs.rutgers.edu/news.php iJOBS Skills Courses, Resources, and Workshops - http://ijobs.rutgers.edu/resources.php#skills Podcasts, Videos, and Summaries of past iJOBS events - http://ijobs.rutgers.edu/events.php#past-events
iJOBS Blog