Episode 155: Answering YOUR Questions Part 1 – Biotech Career Advice and Professional Development
What does it really take to build a successful career in biotech beyond being good at the science?
In this episode, producer Ian McLachlan takes over the microphone to ask Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, career and professional development questions submitted by listeners of the podcast. From building trust and becoming a reliable teammate to gaining real-world experience and finding mentors, Elaine and James share lessons they’ve learned throughout their own careers.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The professional skills that can matter just as much as technical expertise, from reliability and communication to adaptability and teamwork.
- How students and early-career professionals can gain practical experience, build relationships, find mentors, and become better prepared for careers beyond the classroom or lab.
- Why career growth requires more than intelligence or good science, and how feedback, communication, and self-advocacy can help turn your expertise into impact.
Whether you’re still in school, beginning your biotech career, or looking for ways to keep growing professionally, tune in for candid lessons on building a career, developing your network, and becoming the kind of professional people want to work with.
Links:
Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Connect.
Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine.
Check out Elaine’s book recommendations: The Fine Art of Small Talk, The Speed of Trust, How to Talk to Anyone, and The Vault Guide to Schmoozing.
Check out our previous episode on Why Every Biotech Professional Needs a Strong Personal Brand.
Connect with Haley Marcotte and learn about Nucleate New Orleans.
Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer, and submit your questions for future episodes!
Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU – the podcast.
Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
