Workshop Descriptions
For In-Person Sessions
Workshop 1
13:00-14:00 PM
Starting Your Career Outside of Chemistry
Speaker: Michael Krause, Novisto
This workshop aims at giving you a practical guide on how to start a career in a field outside of Chemistry.
We will tackle the following topics:
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Getting into the right mindset
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Networking effectively
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Building an impactful CV
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Mastering the interview process
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Negotiating an offer
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Surviving and thriving the first year
This should be a fairly interactive session and you are invited to bring a copy of your CV for discussion and feedback (depending on the number of attendees).
14:30-16:00 PM
From Job Search to Career Paths: A Down-to-Earth Intro to AI
Speaker: Fabien Hammerer, 5REDO
Whether you see AI as the next big savior or the machine that will doom us all, one thing’s clear: tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and their cousins are shaking things up across industries — and hiring is no exception.
These days, more and more people lean on AI to draft their CVs and cover letters, while recruiters are sharpening their eyes to spot what’s genuine. The result? A bit of an arms race. The real question is: how do you stay ahead of it?
That’s where this workshop comes in. Whether you’re about to graduate and join the glorious chaos of job hunting, or you’re still figuring out which career paths make sense for you, we’ll cover the basics of Large Language Models — and, more importantly, how to actually use them to define and reach your goals. Expect practical tips, a few mentoring nuggets, and maybe even a fresh perspective on your career journey.
💻 Note: Bringing your laptop is highly recommended!
Think of it as a mix between a crash course, a pep talk, and a little AI savviness.
Workshop 2
13:00-13:55 PM
The Science of Opportunity: Distilling Great Ideas from Good Ones
Speaker: Carla Spina, Noa Therapeutics
A panel discussion with early to late-stage life science investors with an audience Q&A to follow a guided panel discussion. In the guided discussions, panelists will share how they started and built their own career path and how they define and refine "spark of innovations" into a breakthrough or transformative idea. Panelists will share how they identify, assess, and support the development of transformative innovation and provide insight to the audience on how they can define, communicate, and successfully transform groundbreaking ideas into reality.
14:00-14:55 PM
Careers in Intellectual Property
Speaker: Daniel Rivalti, Finnegan
Join Daniel, a registered Patent Agent, for an interactive workshop designed specifically for chemistry graduate students curious about the world of Intellectual Property (IP). This session will demystify the core pillars of IP and explore how your scientific training can be a powerful asset in the legal and innovation landscape. Whether you're considering a career pivot or simply want to understand how IP impacts research and commercialization, this workshop will provide practical insights, real-world examples, and pathways to leverage your chemistry background in the IP field.
15:00-15:55 PM
Investing 101: Making Your Money Work for You
Speaker: Alejandra (Allie) Huerta, AIM Colors
Ever wondered how to make your money work as hard as you do in the lab? After finishing my PhD, I founded my own startup—only to realize that savings from grad school weren’t enough to support the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. To help you avoid the same mistake, I’ll share a brief look at my entrepreneurial path and then break down the essentials of investing in simple, practical terms.
In just one hour, you’ll learn how to start investing—even with a small amount—and how to grow wealth without adding more hours to your workday. You’ll leave with clear, actionable steps and $25* to kickstart your own investment journey.
Because financial literacy is for everyone—especially scientists.
*Disclaimer: The $25 offer is provided through Wealthsimple with a referral code. Eligibility and limitations may apply.