What An Associate Scientist At EMD Serono Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Biotechnology Industry
Early career scientists should embrace being a "sponge," actively seeking mentorship and learning from experienced colleagues rather than striving for immediate self-sufficiency; admitting "I don't know" and asking for guidance accelerates growth far more than independent, potentially misguided, experimentation.
Overcoming Challenges, Industry Realities, Candid Advice, Career Development, Teamwork
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Matthew Bleich
Associate Scientist
EMD Serono
Hamilton College 2018
UCLA Anderson Full-Time MBA
Humanities, Chemistry, Philosophy
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical
Research and Development (R&D)
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. It's okay to be wrong and ask questions; it's more efficient to learn from others' experience than to learn everything by yourself.
2. Don't be afraid to say 'I don't know' and ask for help; it shows a willingness to learn and grow.
3. Shadowing others in different departments can broaden your knowledge and understanding of the industry.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
I think I would have loved someone to tell me it's okay to be wrong. When you come out of undergrad and enter a new environment like this, you kind of want to show that you can do this. You might feel like you're the best scientist of all time.
However, the people you'll be working with probably have decades of experience and know so much more than you. Trying to go in and say, "I can set up everything myself, I don't need you to watch over me," isn't the right approach.
You should be asking questions at every opportunity. Those first couple of years, you should just be a sponge, learning from others' experiences.
This will not only save you time by preventing you from setting up wrong reactions or doing things incorrectly, but you'll also grow faster. People learning from books aren't growing as quickly as those learning from experience and from others.
So, even in situations where it may not be your own work, shadow someone for a day, go out to other departments, learn about what they do, and ask questions. It's okay to not have the answer to everything. Instead, it's so much better to say, "I don't know, could you teach me?"
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