Monday, April 18, 2011

A reader question: how should a young chemist use their time wisely?


A reader (we'll call them IW) writes in with a question:
I plan to accept a job in a new start up as a chemist. The start up is on a solid platform (well backed by a [important biotech geographical area] VC), so there is no issue about stability for a few years. My question is: how should I use this opportunity to stabilize myself professionally in the drug discovery chemistry field. I am hoping some of your readers might have started their careers in a similar fashion and have some advice for the rough future.
My advice to IW (even though I am not too far from their position is this): attempt to achieve some depth first (really get to know your project and your project's chemistry), and then start to see what kind of breadth you want as well. 

Recent interviews offer good advice: MQ talks about the "building depth" as such:
Keep learning. Take the time to learn as much as you can about the biology going on within your project, especially your primary assays. Talk to the biologists; ask them how they are run, and how to best interpret the data. Talk with the pK folks as well, and anyone else your project interacts with for data. Try to attend as many higher level meetings as you can to get a feel for how the decision making process is handled in your company. Make it a point to go to general informational seminars in other therapeutic areas. Keep learning new things because you just may find yourself transplanted on very short notice.
Kay talks about the importance of keeping up your communication skills (always a difficult thing for somewhat introverted chemists):
Make sure you keep up your writing and presentation skills. When you're busy in the lab, it's easy to brush off writing reports or presenting your work at meetings. But those skills are important in the long term. You can be a terrific bench chemist but if you can't communicate, you will have a hard time getting jobs and advancing in your career. You have to sell your work and you also have to sell yourself. Those skills are also crucial if you ever decide to leave the bench or move into another career.
It's all very difficult and confusing for a young chemist starting out in the industry -- I seem to recall a premed advisor in college (don't ask) saying something like "You know, to get into medical school, it helps to walk on water." But it seems to me that between the learning in the lab, and the learning by talking to people, there will be more than enough opportunity to really start a career on the right track. 


Readers, what do you think? Am I crazy? 

11 comments:

  1. Along the lines of MQ in addition to learning (especially from experienced colleagues) and doing as much as one can about the chemistry/molecules side of the project (which is normally natural and easier to pick up) get familiar what other functional areas do and how they connect together. Don't only focus on the technical side but observe and seek info on other areas of business (which can be more visible and accessible at a start-up). Because resources are likely to be thin don't hesitate to take on additional duties, such as safety coordinator, monitor/order solvent/chemicals or other ways to contribute and if company willing to send to or sponsor training take advantage of opportunities. Frankly in addition to communication many chemists can often use assistance to develop rudimentary people skills which are useful both in and outside the lab.
    CMCguy

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  2. I actually wouldn't spend too much time delving into the nitty-gritty biology; that's why we have specialization of labour!

    Every lab I've been in has had big capital items (Iscos, Gilsons, GCs, prep HPLC, etc) that are gathering dust because it was either someone's old pet project (who left the company), or is missing some doodad and has been inoperable for 18 months. If you're mechanically inclined it's a great way to make yourself useful, and add a few lines/random skills to your cv.

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  3. Personally, I'd get networking in your new biotech area - everything and anything to be honest (internal and external), meetings small and large, academic and corporate. Get business cards printed for yourself (and obviously make them look good). In your future there are going to be a lot more opportunities outside the lab than in it, and even if that doesn't seem like the way you want to go now, life might not work out that way for you. Be Prepared!

    Alongside that I'd second improving presentation and writing skills - do your synthetic work with the quality (and characterization data) required to publish, preferably in J Med Chem. Follow up on those crazy chemistry ideas you have (maybe one day every fortnight). Use some work time for you.

    It might take a few years before those manuscripts are cleared for release, but better to have them ready to go at an early stage.

    I'd also find out if your company has some system that allows you to propose new projects to senior management - a great way to raise your profile as an ambitious talented scientist.

    And remember to ask for promotions - don't ask, don't get!

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  4. Best use of time? Getting out of chemistry. Go back and get an MBA, JD, etc. Seriously. I have yet to hear that being the safety monitor helped save someone's job. Ordering chemicals as a way of branching out? Not going to happen.

    All this advice would be great if the prospects weren't so terrible. Ask for promotions, really?!? Ambitious talented scientist? Learn Chinese and save as much money as possible and hope there is some tuition reimbursement. It's brutal out there and we should be truthful. Publishing in JMC? Not going to help.

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  5. I was the one who posted the question to CJ.
    Thanks to all for your comments/advice.

    Anon. 12:58 pm: I understand this position is risky long term. But, with no option to continue as postdoc 1 (4.5 years done), no intention to do postdoc 2 and no other alternate career lined up as of now, I would be foolish not to take up this offer. Having some experience in the industry will help if I want to do an MBA.

    I have enough biology experience to slip into the shoes of a cell biologist to run some assays or other things that will be going on. So, I see use in learning other functional areas of the startup.

    Also, I am interested if any of the readers have transitioned into an entrepreneur or started their own business after working in a startup.
    Cheers.

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  7. "It's brutal out there and we should be truthful."

    Good statement. Right after my chem BS and once I got myself into a job, I spent one day a week at a coffee shop studying up making sure I was completely competent at what I did. Methods, instruments, brushing up on basic chem and even industry history. I feel these studies helped set me apart from the pack later on. Also, I agree with the above, about fixing someone old pet project instrument; that mos def is useful.

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  8. "some experience in the industry will help if I want to do an MBA."

    This is definetly true. Good programs attract people who have experience. This is one of the main benefits of a MBA. You learn from others' experience through discussions. However it's a two way street, so you need something to offer others as well.

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  9. "Also, I am interested if any of the readers have transitioned into an entrepreneur or started their own business after working in a startup."

    One path I've heard of others taking to biotech ownership is:
    Biotech --> biotech bought by big pharma --> laid off by big pharma --> use severance from big pharma to start business

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  10. Take all opportunities you have to interact with the business side of things. Talk to the sales guys, talk to the executives. Startup companies (depending on how big) are great to get exposure to the non-technical side of things. Use that to learn soft skills.

    Most (successful) entrepreneurs are actually mid-career people (http://techcrunch.com/2009/09/07/when-it-comes-to-founding-successful-startups-old-guys-rule/)(http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/07/0724_sb_anatomy_of_entrepreneur/1.htm). If that's what you want to do, build up your rolodex and ability to influence decision makers.

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  11. From reading the original post I thought the person asking the question was someone just starting their career as an associate (BS/MS). I'm really quite surprised that someone with 4.5 years of post-doc posed this question (no offense). There is so much information out there that I would have thought someone with that much education would already know these things.

    There is no such thing as a "non-risky" long term job. There is no such thing as a "non-risky" short term job. Best advice - go in and do the job you were hired to do first and foremost. Other than what you need for your job, do not revive old instruments or become proficient in ordering (again, you'll need to know this, don't become the departmental ordering person) - and for the love of Pete do not become the safety person. None of these - I repeat - none of these will help when it comes to deciding who should or shouldn't keep their job.

    Second, look to get the heck out of there - further schooling (JD, MBA, etc.). Each of those will serve you better as an entrepreneur anyway.

    Third, marry rich...

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looks like Blogger doesn't work with anonymous comments from Chrome browsers at the moment - works in Microsoft Edge, or from Chrome with a Blogger account - sorry! CJ 3/21/20