No More Mindless Mingling

In her weekly newsletter HeatherHollick asks “What is your theme for the week?” She and I have been exploring the value of networking, and I’ve been asking myself if I need to refocus and direct my networking to be more productive. As a result, my theme for this week was No More Mindless Mingling. So when I found myself at Triangle Biotech Tuesday, I wondered if, only two days into the week, I’d already violated my theme. And then I thought about all the conversations I had that evening:

• Mindless Mingling garnered great feedback on CareerOdyssey’s new beta test, launched on Monday at NCBiotech.
• I was introduced to several students and postdocs. These people are starting their job search. NCBiotech has programs to help.
• I met a postdoc at Duke University who is planning to launch a startup biotech medical device company. NCBiotech has programs to help.
• A former NCBiotech Jobs Network participant told me how much she is enjoying her new position at a local biotech company. She’s been there two months and loves it. Hooray for another local landing!
• I had a conversation with one of our NCBiotech Jobs Network participants and learned more about his career goals. Since he plans to take his Regulatory Affairs Certification exam in two weeks, I introduced him to a former NCBiotech Jobs Network participant who recently passed her exam. She gave him valuable advice about preparing for the test: take the online practice exam so that you understand the questions.
• I met several people with medical device expertise. It made me realize how deep the talent pool is in that sector.

In each interaction I either learned valuable information or shared relevant information about the biotech sector in NC and NCBiotech’s role in developing the sector. Maybe Mindless Mingling has a place in my week after all.