Good morning, STEM enthusiasts!  On this day in 1970, Apollo 13 rocketed into space, set to be NASA’s third stab at landing humans on the Moon. But just two days into the mission, disaster struck. An oxygen tank blew up, throwing the crew’s plans—and their safety—into chaos.🚀

Today’s issue:
🔎Career Spotlight: Project Management: Science & Strategy Unite!
💡Skills Spotlight: The STEM Jobs You Never See Posted (And How to Find Them)
🔥Career Glow-Up Challenge: LinkedIn Like a Pro: 5-Day Digital Presence Makeover
📩Quick Links: 20 Professional Development Books to Read in 2025

💼 A Pharmaceutical Project Manager (Pharma PM) is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing drug development projects. Think of a Pharma Project Manager as the go-to person for getting new drugs made. They're like the team captain, making sure everyone—from the scientists in the lab to the folks who handle regulations and eventually marketing—is on the same page. Their job is to keep the whole process on track, hitting deadlines and budgets while following the strict rules set by agencies like the FDA.

Major:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, or other related science degrees.

Job functions:
A pharma project manager’s role is to conduct the drug development orchestra, ensuring that all the different scientific and business teams play in harmony to bring new medicines to patients. Their daily tasks typically include:
🔎Project Planning & Execution: Develop project plans, timelines, and budgets. Manage project scope, deliverables, and milestones.
🔎Cross-functional Team Coordination: Lead teams that may include scientists, clinical researchers, regulatory specialists, and marketing professionals. Facilitate communication across departments.
🔎Risk Management: Identify risks early and create mitigation strategies.
🔎Stakeholder Communication: Report progress to leadership, clients, or partners. Prepare presentations for internal or external stakeholders.
🔎Budget & Resource Management: Monitor project costs and make adjustments as needed. Allocates resources effectively.

Skills Needed:
- Project Management Tools: MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with FDA/EMA/ICH guidelines and drug development processes.
- Leadership & Team Managment
- Communication & Negotiation
- Problem-solving & Critical Thinking

Salary Landscape:
- The salary range varies depending on factors such as location, experience, and skill level.
- An entry-level project manager can expect an annual salary ranging from $45,000 - $169,500, with the average at $105,026 per year in the United States.  Source: Zip Recruiter) 

The Hidden Job Market in STEM: How to Tap into It
Here’s something that might surprise you:

As many as 70% of job opportunities are never posted publicly.
Not on LinkedIn. Not on company career pages. Not on job boards.

They’re filled through referrals, internal promotions, alumni networks, and casual connections. This “hidden job market” is where a lot of STEM hiring happens, especially for mid-to-senior-level and leadership roles.

If you’re applying to jobs the traditional way (scrolling listings, tailoring resumes, hitting "submit"), you’re already behind the curve.

But here’s the good news:
You can tap into this hidden job market—and you don’t need to be wildly extroverted or have a thousand LinkedIn followers to do it.

Why is the Job Market “hidden” in the First Place?
Many STEM companies
✅Prefer internal referrals to reduce risk
✅Don’t post until they’ve exhausted their personal networks
✅Move fast and want trusted hires, not a flood of random applicants
✅Are hiring for roles they haven’t finalized or publicly announced yet

This is especially true in tight-knit or specialized fields like biotech, engineering, or research where trust and technical understanding matter deeply.

How to Tap Into the Hidden Job Market
Here are three ways to access opportunities before they’re posted—or even created for you:
1. Use Your Network Intentionally (Not Transactionally)
Start with people you already know—former classmates, professors, coworkers, managers, and connections from internships or conferences.

Don't ask, “Do you know of any jobs?” Instead, say:
“I’d love to hear more about what you’re working on and what the industry looks like from your perspective.” It’s a softer ask—but a much more effective one.

2. Reconnect With Your Alumni Network
Most universities have alumni networks on LinkedIn or through school portals. People love helping fellow alumni, especially in underrepresented STEM communities.

Reach out with a short note like:
“Hi [Name], I saw you also graduated from [School]! I’m exploring new career opportunities in [Field] and would love to hear how you got into your role at [Company].”

3. Schedule Informational Interviews
These are 20-minute conversations where your only goal is to learn. You’re not asking for a job—you’re asking for insight.

Often, those conversations lead to:
✅Referrals
✅Insider info about upcoming roles
✅Introductions to other decision-makers

Quick Scripts You Can Use This Week
Need help reaching out? Try one of these:

What to Do Next
This week, I’m challenging you to reach out to just one person in your network. That’s it. Start a casual conversation. Don’t overthink it.

You never know where it could lead. And if you want more tips on finding hidden opportunities, building your voice in the STEM space, or mapping out your next move, I’ve got you. Just hit reply.

Let’s get you in the rooms where decisions get made.

🔥🔥 Build a powerful professional profile and attract opportunities.
🔥🔥 Make your LinkedIn profile recruiter-ready in under a week.

Daily Actions:
✅Day 1: Update your headline and profile picture
✅Day 2: Craft a compelling About section with keywords
✅Day 3: Add skills, projects, and certifications relevant to biotech/pharma
✅Day 4: Write your first LinkedIn post on a topic you’re passionate about
✅Day 5: Connect with five professionals and message one recruiter