S2BN Guelph Chapter and Life Sciences Ontario Host the AIM 2021 Conference
Renee Cosme | December 2nd, 2021
On October 23rd, 2021, the S2BN Guelph Chapter and Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) successfully hosted the annual Academia To Industry Conference, or AIM 2021. The goal of the AIM 2021 was to connect academics, students, and industry professionals in a single platform.
The theme of AIM 2021 was "Let's Get Digital", exploring the interaction of health and the life sciences sector.
Hosted via Zoom, AIM 2021's agenda commenced with a keynote about Healthcare Digitization, followed by a career panel about industry trends in the life sciences and interactive skill development workshops. AIM 2021 concluded with a Virtual Networking Event, allowing attendees to build valuable connections in the life sciences industry.
Keynote: Healthcare Digitization and How It Will Define Your Future
Natalie Yeadon, Co-Founder, and CEO of Impetus Digital discussed the interaction between digital systems and their impact on health care. Natalie introduced attendees to her career journey, offering key takeaways:
Digital systems will revolutionize healthcare
Human traits, like empathy and creativity, will be vital qualities in tomorrow's workforce, especially now that "software is eating the world", as per Marc Andreessen
Follow leaders that are readily embracing digitization
Career Panel: Emerging Opportunities in the Life Sciences
AIM 2021 continued with an engaging career panel about the life sciences industry. The panel included:
Vanessa Williamson (VP, New Opportunities & Precision Biomonitoring Inc)
Ronnie Miller (President & CEO, Roche Pharmaceuticals)
Nadia Al-Banna (Manager, Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge Program, National Research Council of Canada)
Moderated by S2BN Guelph's Co-President Barbora Hucik, each panel member shared their career experiences and offered valuable insight about the life sciences industry, such as:
Demonstrate your value—market your skills and personal brand for the role
Build your network—every interaction is a positive interaction!
Practice your interview skills—know the company inside-out, sell your unique brand, avoid empty blanket statements, and be professional
Attitude is everything—technical skills are important, but your values are too
Skill Development Workshops
After the career panel, attendees were sorted into one of five virtual workshops offered in AIM 2021. Each workshop aimed to equip students with the relevant skills needed in the life sciences industry.
"Your Brand Matters" by Kate Ethier and Cas Knihnisky (RBC Royal Bank)
Hosted by RBC Royal Bank, Kate and Cas encouraged attendees to develop their brand using elevator pitching and tips on making a great first impression during networking. Participants shared their crafted elevator pitches and showcased their unique brand to other attendees.
Academy to Industry—How to Tell Your Story and Sell Your Skills by Julia Leary (University of Guelph)
In this workshop, Julia Leary offered tips on marketing academic skills during a job interview. Julia also emphasized the importance of goal setting and a positive mindset when it comes to job searching.
Strategy In The Real World—Keeping Strategy Simple by Devin Gordon and Victoria Agapova (Sixsense Strategy Group)
Sixsense Strategy Group's Devin and Victoria introduced attendees to the "the sixsense way", which involved an interactive lesson, followed by interactive breakout rooms to formulate solutions to hypothetical business problems using the sixsense approach.
Constructing a Strong, Scientific Narrative Through Medical Communications by Meghan Wing (Sixsense Strategy Group)
Meghan Wing introduced participants to the sixsense way, demonstrating its applicability to converting technical scientific data into an eloquently strategic narrative.
Resume Tips from Biotech Recruiters by Christine Genge and Jordan Shimmell (STEMCELL Technologies)
In this informative workshop, STEMCELL's Christine Genge and Jordan Shimmell offered vital advice on crafting the perfect resume. Using their expertise, they shared their top tips on building an outstanding resume.
Wrapping Up AIM 2021: Virtual Speed Networking
AIM 2021 concluded with a virtual speed networking event sponsored by LSO. This networking event allowed attendees to connect online, make new connections, and build their professional network in the life sciences sectors.
For graduate students, networking gave them a "peek" into the professional climate in Canada's life sciences industry. Likewise, this event allowed professionals to meet career-oriented graduate students with valuable skills needed in today's life sciences industry.
Thanks to its participants, organizers, and speakers, AIM 2021 fulfilled its intended purpose, which was to bridge the gap between industry and academia!
