WHEN IN STEM

For many scientists, the lab feels like the ultimate career goal. But what happens when, after years of working at the bench, your interests begin to change?

In this solo episode of When in STEM, I reflect on one of the biggest questions I've been asked throughout my Careers Beyond the Bench series:Why would someone spend years working in research only to eventually leave the lab?

I share my own journey, from wanting to go to medical school, to falling in love with research, to discovering that I also love the business side of biotech, and why changing your career goals doesn't mean you've failed. It often means you've grown.

We'll also compare three popular careers beyond the bench Quality Control, Regulatory Affairs, and Business Development, including who each role is best suited for, the transferable skills they all have in common, and practical advice for exploring new career paths without leaving your current company.

Whether you're just starting your STEM career or you're wondering if it's time for a change, I hope this episode reminds you that your identity isn't tied to a laboratory bench. There are countless ways to make an impact in science.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Why scientists choose to leave the bench

- My personal career journey and how my goals evolved

- Why it's okay to change your mind

- Quality Control vs. Regulatory Affairs vs. Business Development

- The transferable skills that open doors beyond research

- How to explore new career paths through coffee chats, shadowing, and internal networking

- Other exciting careers beyond the bench to consider

💬 I'd love to hear from you in the comments:

Have you ever thought about leaving the lab? If so, what career are you most interested in exploring?

🎧 Listen to the full Careers Beyond the Bench interviews:

- Quality Control

- Regulatory Affairs

- Business Development

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who's figuring out their next step in STEM.

What does a Business Development professional actually do in biotech? And how can scientists transition into this career?

In this episode of the When in STEM Podcast, I sit down with Sarah, who began her career as a Senior Research Associate before making the transition into Business Development in the biotech industry. We discuss what Business Development actually is, what a typical day looks like, why she decided to leave the bench, and how her scientific background prepared her for a business-facing role. We also talk about whether you need an MBA, the skills that transfer from research, career growth opportunities, work-life balance, and practical advice for anyone considering a transition out of the lab.

Whether you're a student exploring career options, an early-career scientist, or an experienced researcher wondering what's next, this episode will give you a clear understanding of one of biotech's most misunderstood career paths.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What Business Development is in biotech

- A day in the life of a Business Development professional

- Why Sarah transitioned from the lab- How scientists can break into Business Development- Do you need an MBA?

- Skills that transfer from the bench to business-

Career growth opportunities

- Work-life balance

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who's curious about careers beyond the bench!

#Biotech #BusinessDevelopment #STEMCareers #Biotechnology #CareersInSTEM #BeyondTheBench #Scientists #LifeScience #WomenInSTEM #CareerTransition #WhenInSTEM

What is Regulatory Affairs, and why is it one of the most important careers in the pharmaceutical industry?

If you've ever wondered who works behind the scenes to help bring new medicines and therapies to patients, this episode is for you.

In this episode of When in STEM, I sit down with a Regulatory Affairs professional Jessica Weckhorst to break down what the role actually involves, how it differs from research, and what it takes to build a career in this field.

We discuss:

• What Regulatory Affairs actually is

• A day in the life of a Regulatory Affairs professional

• How Regulatory Affairs works with scientists, clinicians, and health authorities

• Skills that transfer

• How to break into Regulatory Affairs

• Advice for biology and biotechnology students

• Common misconceptions about the career

Whether you're a student, a recent graduate, or a scientist considering a career beyond the bench, this episode will give you an inside look at one of biotech's most impactful, and often overlooked, career paths.

🎙️ Listen on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone exploring a career in STEM.

#RegulatoryAffairs #Biotech #Pharma #STEMCareers #Biotechnology #Biology #WomenInSTEM #CareerAdvice #PharmaceuticalIndustry #LifeSciences #WhenInSTEM

Thinking about leaving research but not ready to leave biotech?

One of the most common pieces of advice scientists hear is: "Transition into Quality Control (QC)." But is it really the easiest career move from the lab?

In this episode of When in STEM, I sit down with a Quality Control Specialist to break down what a career in QC actually looks like. We talk about how she made the transition, the skills that transfer from research, what hiring managers look for, and whether QC is the right fit for someone looking to pivot their career.

Whether you're a biology student, a research associate, or an early-career scientist wondering what comes next, this episode will help you better understand one of biotech's most common career paths beyond research

In this episode, we discuss:

🧪 What a Quality Control Specialist actually does

🧬 Is QC really the easiest transition from research?

📈 How research skills transfer into QC

🎓 Do you need another degree or certification?

💼 What companies look for when hiring QC professionals

🚀 Career growth opportunities after Quality Control

⚖️ The pros and cons of working in QC

🎙️ How our guest broke into Quality Control

If you've ever thought, "I love science, but I'm not sure research is for me," this episode is for you.

Thinking about studying biotechnology?

Last week, I shared 5 reasons why you should NOT study biotechnology. This week, we're flipping the script.

Despite the challenges, I would still choose biotechnology every single time.

In this episode of When in STEM, I'm sharing the five biggest reasons I think biotechnology is one of the most exciting degrees you can study. From meaningful work and diverse career paths to strong salaries, transferable skills, and entrepreneurship, we'll talk about why this field has so much to offer.

If you're considering a degree in biotechnology, biology, life sciences, or another STEM field, I hope these last two episodes help you make an informed decision by showing you both the challenges and the opportunities.

In this episode, we discuss:

🧬 Why biotechnology is shaping the future of medicine, healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability

🧬 Career paths beyond the lab, including regulatory affairs, quality, consulting, and biotech business

🧬 Why biotechnology is one of the most interdisciplinary STEM degrees

🧬 Biotechnology salaries, career growth, and long-term opportunities

🧬 How a biotech degree can prepare you for entrepreneurship and innovationIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe for more conversations about biotech careers, STEM education, and life in science

#Biotechnology #BiotechCareers #STEMCareers #LifeSciences #Biotech #ScienceCareer

Thinking about studying biotechnology?Before you choose a biotech degree, there are a few things I wish someone had told me first.In this episode of *When in STEM*, I'm sharing 5 honest reasons you should think twice before studying biotechnology, from how competitive the job market can be, to the reality of layoffs, relocation, and the gap between what you learn in school and what companies actually expect you to know.This isn't meant to discourage you. I love biotech and have built my career in this industry. But if you're considering a degree in biotechnology, biology, life sciences, or a related STEM field, these are the realities you should understand before making your decision.

In this episode, we discuss:

🧬 Why a biotech degree alone may not be enough to get hired🧬 The importance of internships, co-ops, and research experience🧬 Why biotech careers are concentrated in a few major cities🧬 The difference between university labs and industry labs🧬 Biotech layoffs and industry volatility🧬 Why flexibility and career pivots are essential in STEMIf you're a student, recent graduate, or someone considering a career in biotech, I hope this episode helps you make a more informed decision.🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about careers in STEM, biotech, science, and life sciences.#Biotechnology #BiotechCareers #STEMCareers #LifeSciences #Scientist #WomenInSTEM

In today's episode, I'm answering your most asked questions about my life, career, and journey in STEM.From why I chose biotech over medicine, to why I didn't pursue a PhD, how I got promoted in industry, and where I see myself in the future, this episode is a chance to get to know me beyond the lab coat.We'll also dive into personal questions about my routines, goals, life in Boston, favorite immune cell, travel dreams, and more.Whether you're a student exploring careers in STEM, an early-career scientist, or just curious about my journey, I hope this conversation gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the person behind the content.In This Episode:✨ My journey from pre-med to biotech✨ Why I chose industry over academia✨ Why I didn't pursue a PhD✨ My first job in science✨ How I approach goals and personal growth✨ How I deal with burnout✨ Where I see myself in the next 5 years✨ Life outside the labSubscribe for more conversations about careers, science, personal growth, and life in STEM.🎧 Listen to When in STEM on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.#STEM #Biotech #WomenInSTEM #ScienceCareers #Biotechnology #Premed #PhD #CareerAdvice #Scientist #Podcast #WhenInSTEMSubmit your questions/scenarios for Career Corner 👇HERESTREAM WHEN IN STEM : https://liinks.co/when.in.stem.podcast

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In today’s episode of When In STEM, I’m talking about some of the biggest lessons working in biotech has taught me in my 20s.

From navigating imposter syndrome in Boston biotech, to understanding how important networking and managers really are, to realizing biotech is way more business-focused than I ever expected… this episode is an honest conversation about the realities of working in STEM that nobody really talks about.

We’re discussing:

• How your manager can shape your career

• Why networking inside your company matters

• The truth about biotech culture

• Layoffs and instability in the industry

• Why biotech is both science AND business

• Career paths beyond the bench

• Feeling lost, intimidated, and figuring things out in your 20s

Whether you’re a biology student, early-career scientist, pre-med student reconsidering your path, or someone trying to navigate the biotech/pharma industry, I hope this episode makes you feel a little less alone.

Subscribe for more conversations about biotech careers, STEM, women in science, career growth, and navigating your 20s in the life sciences.

#Biotech #STEM #WomenInSTEM #Biotechnology #ScienceCareers #BostonBiotech #Pharma #CareerAdvice #BiologyMajor #WomenInScience #STEMCareers #Podcast

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like everyone else belonged there more than you?

In this episode, we talk about imposter syndrome, confidence, leadership, and the pressure many women feel while navigating STEM careers. From feeling small in executive meetings to questioning our own accomplishments, this is an honest conversation about learning to take up space in rooms we already deserve to be in.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself in science, biotech, or leadership spaces, this episode is for you.

Ever felt like you're not smart enough for a career in science? This conversation is for you.

In this episode of When In STEM, I sit down with Nicole Richards, CEO of a biotech startup working on solutions for mining, PFAS removal, and water treatment, for one of the most honest career conversations I've ever had.

Nicole didn't follow a straight line. She "barely made it through" chemical engineering, took a job in the middle of nowhere as a 21-year-old, said yes to roles before she felt ready, and somehow ended up leading a biotech company.

We talk about why grades genuinely don't matter, how to network when you're an introvert who hates it, why you should speak in the first 5 minutes of every meeting, and the one mindset shift that changed her entire career.

If you've ever felt behind, unqualified, or like you don't have your career "figured out", please listen to this!

⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Intro02:14 Why she chose chemical engineering (the honest answer)04:34 "I barely made it through"07:55 Why grades don't matter09:15 Her first job in the middle of nowhere14:52 How to network when you hate networking21:57 The biggest misconception about what CEOs look for28:53 Saying yes before you feel ready40:29 The 5-minute rule for women in leadership45:15 Pushing back on workplace misconceptions47:32 Career Corner: listener questions

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