WIB-Chicago: Career Catalyst Event – Forging Your Path in the Life Sciences

On May 27, WIB-Chicago, in partnership with the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) and the Chicago Women in STEM Initiative, hosted a career development event at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center at Northwestern University. The evening opened with a discussion panel featuring Neva West, Joy Ramos, and Amanda Schalk, moderated by Kathleen Wisemandle, who shared with attendees their non-linear career journeys and the mindset shifts that helped them thrive.

The panelists spoke candidly about their experiences, both the challenging moments and the successes, encouraging listeners to make space for personal growth and to approach every interaction and opportunity with curiosity and an open mind. They offered thoughtful advice on setting boundaries, prioritizing mental health, and practicing networking in a way that feels organic and authentic rather than checklist-driven.

After opening the floor to audience questions, the group transitioned into a resume workshop. Our event sponsor, Momentum Staff, shared general tips and resume guidance for early-career scientists interested in technical roles within industry. Attendees were encouraged to tailor their resumes to different categories of positions, rather than to each individual application. They also clarified how AI is used to help identify qualified candidates.

The second workshop group heard from Aleli Scerba and Eli Karstens, experienced corporate recruiters, who offered insights on the DOs and DON’Ts of resume crafting, how to approach a recruiter, typical timelines, and how to adapt academic CV language into industry-ready resumes.

The event concluded with food, drinks, networking time, and complimentary professional headshots for all attendees. 

Submitted by Lisa Maccio Maretto