MAPS-Pittsburgh: Mentoring Circles Wrap Up Event & Career Spotlight – Behind the Hire

On April 30, the Women In Bio Pittsburgh Chapter celebrated the successful close of the 2025–2026 Mentoring Circles Program, hosting mentors, mentees, and members of the broader life sciences community for an evening of networking and career conversation. The evening began with open networking, where mentors, mentees, WIB members, and guests had the opportunity to connect and share experiences. Çigdem Benam, WIB-Pittsburgh Chapter Chair, then welcomed attendees with remarks on WIB's mission and the Mentoring Circles Program.

The centerpiece of the evening was a panel discussion moderated by Alison Gerlach and featuring Shane Adams (Account Manager, Actalent), Earl Callender (Staffing Industry Executive, Addison Group), Lizwe Masilela (Talent Acquisition Specialist, CookMyosite), and Stephanie Oblas (Transformation & Change Lead, Bayer). The conversation opened with a compelling real-world story of two individuals hired directly through a WIB networking event, setting the tone for an honest and practical discussion on what it truly takes to navigate today's life sciences job market — from ATS screening to referrals to what recruiters notice before a single interview takes place.

The panel covered a range of topics highly relevant to the audience’s career journeys, including:

• Career transitions: What panelists have seen work for candidates moving into industry, stepping into leadership, or shifting functions
• Positioning transferable skills: How to frame a research or clinical background for roles in medical affairs, medical devices, or regulatory
• The value of referrals: How far a referral can actually take a candidate in the hiring process
• Job search strategies: Where to look beyond LinkedIn and Indeed, and how LinkedIn activity influences recruiter outreach
• Interviewing with intention: How to ask thoughtful questions about culture and growth without raising red flags

The evening concluded with approximately 20 minutes of audience Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to bring their own career questions directly to recruiters and industry leaders. Whether participants came as Mentoring Circles participants or community guests, the event offered a meaningful opportunity to gain insider perspectives and grow Pittsburgh’s life sciences community.

Submitted by Qianqian Liang