A Recap of the MoGen Career Development Symposium 2023
The MoGen Career Development Symposium at Hart House's Great Hall was a resounding success. A total of 132 trainees attended, keen on learning from seasoned professionals in their field. The organizing committee did an excellent job of bringing together 27 committed mentors, one of whom joined remotely, and another with a specialization in CV checks. The symposium proved to be an excellent platform for career development and professional growth, featuring roundtable discussions, keynotes, a professional panel, and numerous networking opportunities.
Networking Opportunities: The MoGen Career Alumni Symposium offered trainees a range of valuable opportunities. Networking was recognized as a key component, with roundtable breaks and a wine and cheese reception providing the perfect setting for connecting with mentors, fellow trainees, and industry professionals.
Additionally, the symposium provided essential support for career development. Twenty trainees received personalized CV checks from a dedicated mentor, helping them refine their resumes and enhance their professional profiles. Alongside this, 57 roundtable discussions allowed trainees to engage in focused conversations, exchanging insights and valuable advice from both mentors and peers. These discussions fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing, contributing significantly to the overall success of the symposium.
Keynotes and Panel: The event featured two keynote presentations delivered by experts in the molecular genetics field. Dr. Erin Styles, a professor in Medical Genomics, gave an inspiring talk on cultivating translational skills, highlighting the immense potential that graduate school experiences bring to future career endeavours. Dr. Helen Sarantis, Deputy Director of QC Analytical Excellence at Sanofi, provided insights into science careers in the industry and offered advice on navigating the transition from academia.
A panel discussion featuring five successful professionals representing diverse fields within the MoGen industry took place later in the day. These experts brought their expertise from the fields of patent law, medical communication, data science, academic research, and consulting. Their diverse experiences and insights provided industry insight to the trainees, offering a deeper understanding of the various career paths available in the MoGen field.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors who made the MoGen Career Alumni Symposium possible. We would like to express special thanks to the Vice Dean of Research and Health Science Education at Temerty Medicine, McLaughlin Centre, Donnelly Centre, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, OICR, and Thermo Fisher Scientific for their generous contributions.