By Daniela Perez Chadid
On February 27th, I attended an iJOBS information session on the Scholar Mentoring and Development Program (SMDP), a nonprofit initiative administered by the International Center for Professional Development. The Program is a structured as one-year mentoring designed to support graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers who are exploring careers in biotechnology, medical technology, and consumer healthcare.
For many trainees, the transition from academia to industry can feel unclear. Academic training does not always provide direct exposure to industry structures, roles, or career pathways. SMDP was presented as a program specifically designed to bridge that gap. At its core, SMDP is a one-year mentoring experience. Selected scholars are paired with industry mentors from sponsoring companies across biotech, medtech, and consumer healthcare. Scholars and mentors develop a personalized mentoring plan tailored to the scholar’s career goals. The mentoring relationship extends beyond occasional check-ins. It is structured, intentional, and designed to provide sustained professional development throughout the program.
One important part of the program is a five-day in-person training session. Scholars join career workshops, learn how the industry works, and get coaching on topics such as professional branding, networking, and career storytelling. They also attend a major industry conference, which helps them meet leaders in the field and grow their networks. The program is structured around three main pillars: (1) scholars, (2) mentors, and (3) sponsoring organizations. Scholars benefit from the program by receiving individualized mentoring, structured training, and exposure to conferences.. Mentors, who are often senior or mid-level leaders within sponsoring companies, also participate in executive development. They strengthen their coaching skills, refine their ability to identify high-potential talent, and expand their industry networks. Sponsoring organizations provide mentors and support the program's nonprofit framework, investing in long-term workforce development rather than short-term recruitment. This multi-stakeholder design distinguishes SMDP from one-off career workshops.
The program currently offers two tracks: SMDP Biotech and SMDP MedTech. The Biotech track focuses on careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and consumer healthcare, while the MedTech track focuses on careers in medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and other health technologies. The 2026 SMDP Biotech training session will take place from June 20 to 25 in San Diego, California. The 2026 SMDP MedTech training session will be held from October 16 to 21 in Boston, Massachusetts. Applications for both tracks are now open until April 3, 2026.
Eligibility criteria were also discussed in detail during the information session. Applicants must currently be enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the past three years. The program is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Also, the program is now open to international students on F-1 visas. The application process is meant to be simple and flexible. Applicants submit a statement of their background, interests, and career goals, plus two letters of recommendation. The letters do not have to be from a principal investigator, which is helpful for those with several mentors or supervisors. A transcript is only needed to confirm enrollment or graduation, and grades are not reviewed. Applicants are also asked whether they come from a disadvantaged background, but no additional documents are required.
If you want to learn more, there will be another virtual SMDP information session, called a Fireside Chat, on March 13 at 11 am Pacific. You can also find more details about the program on the International Center for Professional Development website, which runs SMDP.
In closing, I think this event represents an excellent opportunity for students and early-career researchers to gain exposure to industry careers that are often not well explained in traditional academic training. I especially appreciate that the program combines structured professional development with long-term mentorship, as this makes it more than a short training session. For students exploring careers in biotechnology, medical technology, or consumer healthcare, SMDP seems like a strong opportunity to build practical knowledge, expand their professional network, and receive guidance from mentors already working in the field.
This article was edited by Senior Editor Janaina Cruz Pereira.