🔬✨ Don’t Blend In—Start Strong, Lead Early, Stand Out!💡

Good morning, STEM enthusiasts!  As we prepare for Mother’s Day, let’s pause to celebrate the amazing women who’ve molded our lives with their love, resilience, and constant encouragement. ❤️❤️

Today’s issue:
🔎Career Spotlight: STEM Meets Discovery: Could Research Be Your Next Career Move?
💡Skills Spotlight: Don’t Blend In — Start Strong. Lead Early. Stand Out!
🔥Career Glow-Up Challenge: The Vision Board Glow-Up
💼Resource: Breaking into Biotech: A Guide into the Biotech & Pharma Industry

🔎STEM CAREER JOB OF THE WEEK
STEM Meets Discovery: Could Research Be Your Next Career Move?

A Research Scientist is like a detective in the lab—running experiments, solving scientific puzzles, and helping turn bold ideas into breakthrough medicines. It’s hands-on, high-impact work that can change lives (including yours). They typically work in areas like drug discovery, molecular biology, cell therapy, genetics, immunology, or formulation development—depending on the company’s focus.

🎓Major:
- Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Molecular biology, Pharmacology other related science degrees.

🧪Job functions:
A Research Scientist in biotech or pharma designs and conducts experiments to discover and develop new drugs or therapies. They analyze data, solve complex problems, and work with cross-functional teams to turn scientific ideas into real-world treatments. Some key responsibilities include:
🔎Design and Conduct Experiments Plan lab studies to test how molecules or compounds behave.  Use techniques like PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, CRISPR, or chromatography.
🔎Analyze Data & Report Findings: Collect, process, and interpret scientific data using software tools. Write research summaries, lab reports, and contribute to publications or patent filings.
🔎Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work with other scientists, clinical teams, and regulatory affairs. Participate in team meetings to discuss results and next steps.
🔎Maintain Laboratory Standards: Follow strict lab safety protocols and documentation practices (e.g., GLP/GMP). Help maintain lab equipment, samples, and materials inventory.

🧠Skills Needed:
- Technical: Proficient in lab techniques (e.g., cell culture, protein purification, microscopy), Data analysis (e.g., GraphPad Prism, Excel), Scientific writing and presentation skills.
- Soft Skills: Detail-oriented and organized, strong critical thinking and troubleshooting skills, team collaboration and communication, and ability to work independently under tight deadlines.

💰Salary Landscape:
- The salary range varies depending on factors such as location, experience, and skill level.
- You can expect an annual salary ranging from $54,414 to $187,486, with an average of $130,117 per year in the United States.  Source: Zip Recruiter) 

💡SKILLS SPOTLIGHT
Don’t Blead In — Start Strong. Lead Early. Stand Out!

Starting a new job in STEM? Thinking about making a move?
Here’s one way to hit the ground running and make a lasting impression from day one:

👉🏼Create a 30-60-90 Day Plan.

Most STEM professionals wait for onboarding to “show them the ropes.” But when you walk in with a proactive roadmap, you’re not just another new hire—you’re a future leader in action.

What is a 30-60-90 Plan?
It’s a simple framework that outlines how you’ll learn, contribute, and lead during your first 90 days in a new role. Here’s how to break it down:

📆Days 1–30: Learn & Listen
✅Understand team dynamics, tools, and workflows
✅Build relationships and observe company culture
✅Clarify expectations with your manager

📆Days 31–60: Contribute & Collaborate
✅Start owning projects or tasks
✅Identify inefficiencies or improvement areas
✅Ask thoughtful questions and offer ideas

📆Days 61–90: Lead & Level Up
✅Take initiative on a small win or team improvement
✅Share a mini-presentation or results report
✅Set long-term goals with leadership feedback

Even if you’re just exploring a job change, mapping out a 30-60-90 plan now can help you get clear on what you’re really looking for—and prove you’re ready for more.

✨Your move:
Grab a notebook or doc and sketch out a draft plan.
Where would you want to be 90 days into your next role?

Need help mapping it out?
Reply to this email—I’d love to help you build your personalized strategy.

P.S. Want a fill-in-the-blank 30-60-90 plan template? Keep an eye out—we’ll be sharing one next week! 👀👀

🔥CAREER GLOW-UP CHALLENGE: 
The Vision Board Glow-Up

✨✨ What Is the Vision Board Glow-Up?
The Vision Board Glow-Up is a next-level, action-focused spin on the classic vision board-built for students who are ready to move beyond just dreaming and start doing. Instead of simply cutting out cool images and motivational quotes, this Glow-Up pushes you to connect your goals with real, achievable steps. You’ll build momentum, stay motivated, and actually track your progress as you go-making your college ambitions a reality, one action at a time.

🔥 Key Features
Reflect & Reset: Review what’s worked—and what hasn’t.
Goal Clarity: Get laser-focused on what you really want across areas like career, wellness, finances, relationships, and creativity.
Design with Intention: Create a vision board that’s emotionally aligned and strategically grounded.
Action Steps: Turn inspiration into a game plan with monthly focus areas and micro-goals.
Progress Check-ins: Reflect, adjust, and celebrate small wins throughout the year.

Daily Actions:
✅Day 1: Create a career vision board with 3 focus areas (skills, roles, lifestyle)
✅Day 2: Write a future bio of yourself 3 years from now
✅Day 3: Choose a career affirmation to say daily (e.g., “I am capable, prepared, and ready for the next opportunity.”)
✅Day 4: Create a career playlist with songs that hype you up for interviews and projects

📢Bonus: Tell us how your 4-day mini challenge went — we’d love to give you a shoutout!