A2i Industry Insights (Oct. 2023)
Accelerate to Industry (A2i) Industry Insights module focuses on preparing graduate students and Postdocs for careers in the private sector (also commonly referred to as "business"), non-profit, and government. While this module takes its focus from its name, a comprehensive look at topics related to the job search is covered in this series through talks by industry experts and workshops that cover key competencies topics.
Topics, Schedule, & Format
Every Thursday, 12-1 PM, in October 2023, Virtual | Registration
** For best learning outcome, participants are expected to attend all sessions if possible as the topics build on each other. Participants who attend at least 3 sessions will receive A2i swag for completion of the series.
You will hear directly from speakers, many of which are PhD alumni and successfully transitioned into non-academic positions. Each session features a specific organization, and the speaker(s) will share their insights on the topic and provide an overview of their current organization.
- A PhD’s career roadmap in industry: Oct 5
- Industry culture and transferable skills: Oct 12
- Project management and interview process: Oct 19
- Recruiter and hiring manager insights: Oct 26
Speakers
- Dr. Ana Maria Cardenas, Senior Director of Global Medical Affairs, Integrated Diagnostic Solutions (IDS), BD
- Dr. Sindhushree Raghunandan, Senior R&D Manager, Integrated Diagnostic Solutions (IDS), BD
- Dr. Becca Xu, UX Researcher (PhD'18, Journalism & Communications Studies), Amazon
- Dr. Shayandev Sinha, R&D Engineer (PhD'18, Mechanical Engineering), Intel
- Jay Liwanag, Principal Advisor/Senior HR Business Partner, CNA
- Dr. Anya Fink, Research Scientist (PhD’16, Policy Studies, International Security and Economic Policy), CNA
In this session, you will meet two STEM PhDs, Dr. Ana Maria Cardenas and Dr. Sindhushree Raghunandan, and learn more about how a PhD can continue to grow when they begin working at a company. Learn about the differences between individual contributor and manager roles, how titles do not tell the full story and the many career opportunities available, and what the day-to-day may look like for PhDs working in industry. The PhD roadmap will help you identify opportunities within industry settings to set you up for short- and long-term success. You will also learn about a leading medical technology company, BD, its global footprint, and culture and professional development opportunities within the organization.
Speakers
Dr. Ana Maria Cardenas, Senior Director of Global Medical Affairs, Integrated Diagnostic Solutions (IDS)
Dr. Sindhushree Raghunandan, Senior R&D Manager, Integrated Diagnostic Solutions (IDS)
About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of healthcare by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for healthcare providers.
In this session, you will meet Dr. Becca Xu, a PhD alumna from Journalism and Communications Studies, who currently works as a UX researcher at Amazon. Dr. Xu will discuss how the industry culture is similar and different to academia, which is what most PhDs are familiar with. Through looking at the similarities and differences, you will be able to identify your transferable skills and how to translate these skills better in your job application and interview process. You will also learn more about Amazon as an employer, its organizational structure, and opportunities suitable for PhDs in diverse disciplines.
Speaker
Dr. Becca Xu, UX Researcher (PhD'18, Journalism & Communications Studies)
About Amazon
Amazon.com is an American multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.
In this session, you will meet Dr. Shayandev Sinha, a PhD alumnus of Mechanical Engineering, who currently works as a research and development (R&D) engineer at Intel. Learn more about project management and the interview process typical in non-academic settings.
Speaker
Dr. Shayandev Sinha, R&D Engineer (PhD'18, Mechanical Engineering)
In this session, you will meet Jay Liwanag, the Principal Advisor and Senior Human Resource Business Partner, and Dr. Anya Fink, a PhD alumna from the School of Public Policy, works as a Research Scientist at CNA. Learn more about what HR professionals and hiring managers are looking for when they post a position and review application materials. With the information presented, you will understand the recruitment process, including the timeline, evaluation, roles, and advice/tips to improve your application materials. You will also learn more about CNA, UMD PhD alumni working at CNA, opportunities within the organization as well as growth opportunities.
Speakers
Jay Liwanag, Principal Advisor/Senior HR Business Partner
Dr. Anya Fink, Research Scientist (PhD’16, Policy Studies, International Security and Economic Policy)
About CNA
CNA is an independent, non-profit research and analysis organization, dedicated to the safety and security of the United States. CNA employs operations research to address military questions in the Center for Naval Analyses and domestic challenges in the Institute for Public Research.