The Faculty of Arts and Science Hosts Science Career Day

Sudurika Mukhopadhyay, a medical research technologist from Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, engaged the students with her tried and tested suggestions on how to search for, and land, that all-important first position during her keynote presentation.  Her advice ranged from knowing the difference between cvs and resumés, to making cold calls, from the significance of a covering letter to the application process, to how to be interviewed and finally, the importance of networking. 

Also present to share their experiences with Concordia science students were Angelo Filosa, Senior Principal Scientist, Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim, Effy Koukoulas, Drug Safety Manager, Pfizer, and Ann-Marie O’Halloran, Manager, Clinical Capabilities and Compliance, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada, among others.  During their presentations, the panel members stressed the importance of being flexible in your career search and of being open to the different possibilities that might come your way.  One of the repeated suggestions was the great value of networking as well as the significance of life-long learning.  The panel members also stressed the worth of “soft skills” as well as interdisciplinary skills as a method of making yourself useful to a company, not just in the short term, but throughout the life of your career. 

A very lively Q and A followed during which the panel members spoke further on their own personal experiences and gave suggestions about the use of Facebook in job searches, more networking and how to make the most of personal contacts.  Science Career Day proved so successful that the students and the presenters continued their one-on-one discussions well beyond the stipulated time – and this on a Friday afternoon at the end of term!  Feedback from both the students and the alumni was extremely positive.  The generosity of our alumni in being willing to give of their time and to speak to the students was greatly appreciated by all concerned. 

More than 140 students filled the atrium of the Richard J. Renaud Science Complex on the Loyola Campus to attend the reception which followed the inaugural Faculty of Arts and Science’s Science Career Day, Finding, Getting, Keeping A Career in the Sciences on March 26, 2010.

The day, which began with a one-hour workshop hosted by Counselling and Development, provided an opportunity for students to hear about resources available both online and through Counselling and Development to help job seekers to craft their resumés, coach them through their search for employment and give them tips on interviewing techniques.  The highlight of the day came in the form of a panel presentation of alumni from the Science programs who generously returned to the University to share their experiences and expertise with the students. 

Sudurika Mukhopadhyay, a medical research technologist from Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, engaged the students with her tried and tested suggestions on how to search for, and land, that all-important first position during her keynote presentation.  Her advice ranged from knowing the difference between cvs and resumés, to making cold calls, from the significance of a covering letter to the application process, to how to be interviewed and finally, the importance of networking. 

Also present to share their experiences with Concordia science students were Angelo Filosa, Senior Principal Scientist, Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim, Effy Koukoulas, Drug Safety Manager, Pfizer, and Ann-Marie O’Halloran, Manager, Clinical Capabilities and Compliance, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada, among others. 

During their presentations, the panel members stressed the importance of being flexible in your career search and of being open to the different possibilities that might come your way.  One of the repeated suggestions was the great value of networking as well as the significance of life-long learning.  The panel members also stressed the worth of “soft skills” as well as interdisciplinary skills as a method of making yourself useful to a company, not just in the short term, but throughout the life of your career. 

A very lively Q and A followed during which the panel members spoke further on their own personal experiences and gave suggestions about the use of Facebook in job searches, more networking and how to make the most of personal contacts.  Science Career Day proved so successful that the students and the presenters continued their one-on-one discussions well beyond the stipulated time – and this on a Friday afternoon at the end of term! 

To find out more about our science departments, visit the Arts and Science website.