Fast Forward Medical Innovation
We offer a look at careers outside of the traditional academic tenure-track faculty position.
This structured, cohort-based career development program for STEM graduate students and postdocs guides participants through self-reflection, skill-building, and career exploration strategies in advance of seeking full-time employment or an internship/externship.
Throughout the program, participants engage in a series of workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and self-guided research opportunities to explore career options and prepare for an experiential learning opportunity with an on-campus unit, small business startup, large corporation, non-profit organization, governmental agency, law firm, or any additional non-academic entity. We also host an in-person networking event to put into practice many of the topics addressed in the sessions in a fun, low-stakes environment.
Participants will attend one session every week (each 1.5 hours in length, generally) during the 12-week program. The weekly sessions will include a mix of panel discussions focused on different career sectors and skill building seminars and workshops. All of the sessions will run on Wednesdays, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST, in a fully virtual setting.
Participation is by application only. We accept applications from graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.), postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers in STEM disciplines at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor campus.
Watch a video of the recent BCDP Open House.
Apply Here (view full application cycle below)
The Biotech Career Development Program is provided by FFMI, Rackham Graduate School, and the UMMS Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. For questions, please contact Jon Servoss at [email protected].
Fast Forward Medical Innovation offers a comprehensive collection of educational programs and training tailored for busy faculty, students, clinicians, and researchers across the University of Michigan, and across the state, region, and nation.
Phase I: Career Exploration & Skill Building
Skill Building Seminars
Bi-weekly seminars are broken into two main focuses: career exploration skills and career launching skills. Career exploration skills include self-reflection, goal setting, and understanding the career landscape. Career launching skills consist of written and verbal communication skills, networking, and professional branding.
Career Exploration Panels
Examples of career sectors that have been represented in the past.
University Administration, Staff, and Support
- Innovation Partnerships
- Research Administration
- FFMI Business Development
- Research Commercialization
- Clinical Trial Management
- Research Analyst
Consultant /Nonprofit and Government/Other
- Management
- FDA Regulatory
- USPTO
- IP Law
- Science Policy
Small Biotech Startups
- CEO/COO/CSO
- Research & Development
- Business Development
Large Corporations
- Research and Development
- Medical Science liaison
- Product Manager
- Application Scientist
- Clinical Trial Management
Phase II: Experiential Learning
Phase II is a self-driven, practical application of the skills and knowledge developed in Phase I. The BCDP Steering Committee will provide guidance and curated resources to help participants prepare for experiential learning opportunities (internships, externships, immersion) and job applications. Resources will include on-campus workshops, internship funding, individual career coaching, and other learning opportunities.
- Participants are required to attend all of Phase I – career exploration panels and skill building seminars – totaling four events per month.
- As a result, Phase II is strongly encouraged, but not required for successful completion of the program. Participants are required to write a reflection document and deliver a presentation on their participation in the program.
- As a result, Phase II is encouraged, but not required for successful completion of the program. Participants are required to write a reflection document and deliver a presentation on their participation in the program.
- Participants will receive a certificate of completion.
Cost – There is no cost to participate in the program
Watch a video of the recent BCDP Open House to learn more.
Wednesday, April 10 by 5:00 pm: Application deadline
Friday, April 19: Acceptance notifications will be sent
Friday, April 26: Program participation confirmation deadline
Monday, May 6: Kickoff (time/location coming soon)
The next course schedule will be posted when it is available.
170+ Alumni Participants from 40 programs/departments, including…
- 5 masters students
- 111 doctoral students
- 50 postdocs
- 7 early career research scientists
Professional Activities of Participants
- miLEAD Consulting Group
- Michigan Graduate Consulting Club
- Wolverine Venture Fund
- Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund
- FFMI Fellows Program
Job Titles of Past Participants
- Clinical Data Analyst (industry)
- Research Specialist (academic)
- Research Scientist (industry)
- 2 Engineers (industry)
- Sales Associate (industry)
- Technical Specialist (law firm)
- Senior Program Manager (foundation)
- Clinical Marketing Specialist (industry)
Learn how the Biotech Career Development Program provided Jackee Sanchez, Ph.D., a graduate of the U-M pharmacology program, with professional skills training and guided career exploration beyond the traditional academic tenure-track faculty route.
“I got an idea of the top three or four careers that I wanted to explore further by hearing from other professionals through the program,” said Sanchez. “I then forged connections with people in those positions and it led to the next steps in my career, landing me where I am today at AstraZeneca.” READ FULL ARTICLE.
“I didn’t know what careers were out there! And the ones I did know about, I didn’t know what they looked like. I am really excited to have taken this course because it helped me identify what I want in a career and how to pursue it.”
“Assignments created accountability and certainly helped my progress, the structured access to relevant information is hard to find elsewhere.”
“The program provided me with goals and deadlines for my career development.”
“All the resources I learned about. Even if it is not what I am interested in I can share this information with a friend or colleague. All the information I gathered I think will help me be a more competitive candidate when I am applying for a job or at least I will know where to reach out to ask for help and feedback during that process.”
Rackham Graduate School
Fast Forward Medical Innovation
Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
Fast Forward Medical Innovation
Building 520, 3rd Floor
2800 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
