Thu, Feb 12 | 2:00 PM
Fulbright Virtual Information Session (Virtual)

Wed, Feb 18 | 1:30 PM
Careers in Patent Law for PhDs & Postdocs
In-person, E19-202 (Ford Building)

Mon, Feb 23 | 12:00 PM
Physician Lunch & Learn with Dr. Lucy Shen
In-person, Rogers Building (7)

Mon, Feb 23 | 5:00 PM
Legal Career Options for STEM Students
In-person, Maclaurin Buildings (4)

Tue, Feb 24 | 6:00 PM
Infinite Careers: Francesca DeMeo — Research Scientist at MIT & CEO of NoStove, Inc.
In-person, location TBD

*not on flyer

Wed, Feb 25 | 1:00 PM
Explore Fulbright: Turkey (Türkiye)
In-person, Rogers Building (7)

Fri, Feb 27 | 10:00 AM
How to Succeed in Your Squiggly Career
In-person, Maclaurin Buildings (10)

Fri, Feb 27 | 2:00 PM
Coffee Chats with Alpha AI Engineering (For 1st & 2nd Years)
In-person

Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD) is seeking one student Career Exploration Leader to work with academic and student support departments, student groups, alumni, employers, and graduate/professional school admissions staff to develop and execute career exploration events for undergraduates and graduate students, that will be held during the fall semester, Independent Activities Period (IAP), and the spring semester. Career Exploration Leaders work with the support of the Assistant Director of Career Exploration.

Each position involves independent and team projects and these roles are a fit for students who are excited about exercising their skills in leadership, event planning, and marketing. Preferred experience includes leading initiatives, managing projects, designing marketing materials, collecting and analyzing data, working independently and in teams, communicating with stakeholders, and providing customer service. Preferred skills include communication, interpersonal skills, time management, and the ability to collaborate and work across sectors of MIT.

Undergraduate and graduate students at MIT are eligible to apply.

Sample work timeline

• August: Work typically includes reaching out to and planning events with collaborators to set up for the fall, planning individual events, and designing marketing materials. 
• September-November: These months are all about marketing, putting on events, and collecting data from those events. 
• December: This month is dedicated to analyzing data, preparing reports, planning and confirming IAP events, and developing marketing materials. 
• January: IAP involves marketing and hosting events as well as planning and confirming spring events and developing marketing materials. 
• February-March: These months are all about marketing, putting on events, and collecting data from those events. You might also create resources. If there is additional time, it will be used to begin wrapping up final tasks including data analysis and writing final reports. 
• April: This time is for wrapping up final tasks including data analysis, contributing to final reports, providing recommendations for future events, and setting up a transition plan for the following year’s student staff.  

Team Responsibilities

Each Career Exploration Leader is responsible for supporting the team responsibilities and goals listed below in addition to working on their individual focus areas.

• Provide support, including logistical and technical support, for Career Exploration events for undergraduate and graduate students. Working across different teams in CAPD including with Career Advising, Employer Relations, Professional Development, Prehealth Advising, and Distinguished Fellowships and collaborating outside of CAPD with other departments/programs may be possible.
• Market events to students through email, flyers, and other methods relevant to students and departments/programs. Design and post marketing materials (for print, digital, and social media) in collaboration with the CAPD Communication and Program Manager.
• Attend weekly and monthly team meetings to plan for events; propose agenda items in individual and team meetings; lead discussion on project-specific work and share updates in meetings.
• Determine key pieces of information needed to complete the Career Exploration final reports; collaborate in producing the final reports and sharing with key stakeholders.
• Distribute surveys and collect responses. Analyze survey responses alongside attendance data to create recommendations for future career exploration events.
• Document tasks and provide feedback to CAPD to facilitate an effective and detailed transition plan for the following year’s Career Exploration Leaders.
• Develop and maintain content on career exploration events, information, resources and initiatives on online platforms including the CAPD website, Handshake, and MIT News articles.

Additional responsibilities and potential projects

Planning events

• Lead and collaborate on planning events for First Years and Sophomores in the fall, IAP, and spring with the Assistant Director of Early Career Engagement. This could include recruiting speakers for panels or participating as a panelist to provide advice for early career students, organizing an event to help students explore majors and industry, managing speed networking mixers with alumni and graduate students.
• Lead and collaborate on planning events to help students explore graduate and professional school (MEng, MS, MBA, JD) options in the fall, IAP, and spring. These could include the micro mentoring program, a networking mixer with MIT Graduate Department Administrators and grad students, and panel events with admissions officers or other program representatives.  
• Plan at least one event of your choice for undergraduates or graduate students to help students explore their options and create a resource based on this event.  
• Plan at least one event of your choice to help students explore their options for graduate/professional school and create a resource based on this event.  

Engage student groups, academic departments/programs, and employers

• Partner with the Assistant Director of Career Exploration to support MIT departments/programs’ career exploration events. This includes participating in engaging new departments/programs, designing marketing materials, marketing events to relevant departments/programs, tracking events and maintaining an organized database, distributing surveys, and gathering event attendance. 
• Identify undergraduate and graduate student groups who would be ideal partners for career exploration events. Connect with identified groups to discuss potential partnerships and event collaborations. Pilot at least one student group career exploration collaboration and/or build a resource to promote this student group on the CAPD Career Exploration website. 
• Identify undergraduate and graduate student groups and departments/programs who would be ideal partners for graduate/professional school exploration events. Connect with identified groups to discuss potential partnerships and event collaborations. Pilot at least one graduate/professional school exploration collaboration and/or build a resource to promote this student group on the CAPD Career Exploration website.
• Communicate with relevant MIT departments and programs to build awareness of resources and events available to students, market events, and potentially collaborate on events.
• Facilitate introductions between student groups and the Employer Relations team and employers for relevant events. 

This role involves independent and team projects and these is a fit for students who are excited about exercising their skills in leadership, event planning, and marketing. Preferred experience includes leading initiatives, managing projects, designing marketing materials, collecting and analyzing data, working independently and in teams, communicating with stakeholders, and providing customer service. Preferred skills include communication, interpersonal skills, time management, and the ability to collaborate and work across sectors of MIT. 

Undergraduate and graduate students at MIT are eligible to apply.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply by February 11, 2026 for priority review. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Click here to apply.

Read the full job description: https://capd.mit.edu/career-exploration-leaders-student-roles/ 

Benefits

• Connect with student groups, employers, graduate/professional school representatives, MIT alumni and other students participating in Career Exploration events
• Gain valuable leadership experience in program management, teamwork, data collection and analysis, marketing, and collaboration with MIT academic/student support departments
• Manage large-scale projects
• Work on projects independently and collaboratively in a team of students and staff with the opportunity to be creative and incorporate your interests into the role  
• Impact and contribute to career exploration opportunities for the MIT community

Time Commitment/Compensation 

• Hours: Up to 6 hours/week
• Term two semesters minimum: March 1 – May 15; August 1 – December 18 | 31 weeks | Rate: $16/hour | Total $2,976
• The hours are flexible and work can be performed remote, allowing for the student to work around summer research/internship, classes and activities, or IAP opportunities. Events are typically in September-November and January-March so the events will be minimal during final exams.

Explore all available positions on the Student Leadership Opportunities page.

A group of MIT Mechanical Engineering (MechE) students recently visited Lexington Medical, a company advancing surgical-stapling technology for global markets, to learn about medical-device design and manufacturing.

The site visit—coordinated by MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD) in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering—was hosted by Alina Lisanke, Director of Talent Acquisition, and offered students a firsthand look at how engineering, design, and business intersect in medical innovation.

Inside Lexington Medical

Guided by Head of Manufacturing Margaret Kosten (MIT MechE ’20), students toured Lexington Medical’s vertically integrated operations, spanning product design, development, manufacturing, and shipping. Moving through engineering labs, assembly spaces, and testing areas, they saw how teams develop surgical staplers for use in operating rooms and even adapt production equipment to meet the company’s high standards.

After exploring the workspaces, students tested surgical staplers on foam models, seeing how even the curve of a staple can affect patient outcomes. “We dream in B’s,” joked Director of Engineering Jameson Kief, referencing the company’s “B”-shaped staples—an optimized geometry continually refined to ensure consistent performance and patient safety.

The visit concluded with a Q&A session featuring Founder and CEO Leon Amariglio, EVP of Technology Andy Marecki (S.B., S.M. ’12, MIT MechE), Director of Engineering Jameson Kief (MIT MechE ’20), Engineering Manager Carolyn Mothersell, and Mechanical Engineer Melissa Hummel (MIT Bioengineering ’23, current MIT EMT). Speakers emphasized curiosity, collaboration, and adaptability as key drivers of innovation.

Engineering with purpose

“For me, the visit to Lexington Medical was an incredible experience,” said Francisco Jeldres, a master’s student in mechanical engineering and engineering management. “It was amazing to see firsthand how mechanical and electrical engineering come together in the medical device industry. Even without a medical device background, one can still find a way to contribute and learn—bringing different skills together toward a shared goal.”

Hummel’s path echoed that same spirit of discovery and collaboration. As an MIT Bioengineering student, she once planned to attend medical school, but her experience as an EMT and her internship at Lexington Medical helped her realize a passion for the technical side of medicine—developing devices that improve patient care every day.

“This was a great opportunity for students to connect their coursework to current innovation and manufacturing processes and to hear how this work has a real impact on the lives of patients,” said Theresa Werth, MIT Mechanical Engineering Program Manager.

“These visits are a two-way exchange,” added Alina Lisanke. “For our team, it’s inspiring to connect with future engineers who share our passion for precision and problem-solving. For students, it’s a chance to experience a culture that values speed, agility, and innovation.”

Education

• Yale University – Bachelor of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science
• MIT – Master Of Science, MAS – Media Arts & Science
• Boston University – Doctor of Philosophy, Biomedical/Medical Engineering & Informatics

Bio

Dr. Clark Freifeld’s research focuses on applications of computing and artificial intelligence to the improvement of population health. His work has been supported by agencies including CDC, WHO, DHS, DOD, HHS, and FDA, as well as being recognized by the Smithsonian and Library of Congress. Past projects include: HealthMap, a global disease surveillance platform, and MedWatcher, a medical product safety monitoring system.

Freifeld is currently a Senior Software Engineer at NewGrid, a climate-tech startup, and Founder/Principal of LexiGraph, a software and data science consulting firm. Previously, he served on the faculty in Computer Science at Northeastern University from 2016 to 2022. Before joining the faculty at Northeastern, Freifeld was co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Epidemico, a health informatics spinout from Boston Children’s and MIT, now a division of Booz Allen Hamilton. He holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Mathematics from Yale University, a Master’s from the MIT Media Lab, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University.

What influenced your choice of undergraduate major? How has it shaped your career choices and professional ability?

In high school, I was interested in pursuing a career in medicine—I liked science, and I wanted to do something practical and helpful. But around the end of high school, two things happened: first, I started discovering the field of public health; second, I got back into computers and programming, thanks to a teacher who was ahead of his time. This was 1995, when the World Wide Web was just starting to come into broader use. I helped create the first version of my high school’s website. By the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to study computer science. As computers have only become cheaper, faster, and smaller, the field has only grown, and career opportunities have broadened. I ended up doing extensive work at the intersection of computing and public health.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career?

I’ve had the opportunity to work with people all over the world, on projects that I’m passionate about, in health, education, and climate. I love the process of building and debugging software tools, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to practice it every day. I’ve also worked on many software projects that never made it into any user’s hands—it happens more often than you’d think—so I don’t take for granted any time I can deliver value to a user as well as get feedback on my work.

What motivates you to do the work that you do?

I’ve been fortunate to work on some of the challenges of our time: health, education, and climate change—“wicked problems,” as they’re called. Working on projects that have an impact is tremendously motivating for me. Moreover, working in interdisciplinary teams with coworkers who not only share the mission but also are thoughtful, caring, and hardworking helps motivate me.

What do you like to do outside of work for fun/relaxation/inspiration?

For exercise, I love long-distance cycling and running. I find it helps me maintain mental health as much as physical health. I also play acoustic guitar and sing, take weekly guitar lessons, and play occasional open mic events.

How have your career experiences been shaped by intersections of your identity, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, and veteran status?

I’m a white guy, but I made my second major career pivot in part because I felt strongly about the diversity problem in computer science, and wanted to work to address it. I became a teaching professor at Northeastern and the first faculty sponsor of MULTI, Northeastern’s student-run group focused on broadening participation and inclusion in computing. At the beginning of every semester, I would always speak about the challenges of diversity in computer science, and encourage students to join the mission.

Do you participate in any volunteer/community service activities? If so, how do you balance your professional and personal responsibilities?

For several years, I’ve been involved with Beacon Academy, a school that offers a one-year eighth-grade program to prepare disadvantaged Boston-area students for elite private high schools in New England. I’ve served as a math tutor as well as a mentor through the program. I’ve found the work highly rewarding; I’ve kept in touch with a few of the students over the years and observed their personal evolution and career journeys.

Last edited: September 2025

Federal student loans will now have a total lifetime cap of $257.5K for all undergraduate and graduate school loans, including caps of $20,500 per year with a $100K total limit for graduate programs and $50K per year with a $200K total limit for professional programs (such as law, medical, and business school). There will also be a lifetime cap of $65K per child for Parent PLUS loans. Previously, students used Grad PLUS loans if they needed to borrow beyond the prior cap of $138.5K, however, Grad PLUS loans will be eliminated with the new rules that will take effect on July 1, 2026.  

We recognize that this may cause you concern and want to share resources and alternative options available to you: 

Current alternatives to overcoming the caps include school-based and third-party scholarships. Programs may award scholarships based on merit and need and some schools have separate applications for their scholarships. Check each school’s website and aid information to learn how they administer scholarships. You can also reach out to their admissions and financial aid administrators for more information. Outside of scholarships, there are private loans as well. Private loans come with their own pros and cons, which you can learn about on the MIT Student Financial Services website.  

In addition to using the resources on the SFS website, MIT students can meet with an SFS advisor to discuss budgeting and financial goals and attend SFS events on managing finances and budgeting. Graduate students can also sign up for financial consultations through the MIT Graduate Assistance and Information Network (GAIN). 

Since this legislation passed over the summer, we will also have to see how graduate schools respond. However, instead of waiting, there is an opportunity for you to act now by proactively considering your school list and tuition costs and applying for school-specific and third-party scholarships. Public schools with graduate and professional programs offer in-state tuition to residents that are often lower than tuition for private universities.  

Please feel free to schedule an appointment with a career advisor or prehealth advisor to discuss your plans and any questions you may have. Please note that we are also learning about the ins and outs of this new cap, just as you are. As we learn about how graduate schools are responding, we will update our website, but we may not know all the details until fall 2026. 

Review the resources below for additional resources for law and medical school: 

Networking. For some it is a loaded word that induces a visceral sense of dread, while for others it is a natural part of the workday. In reality, networking is nothing more than the practice of cultivating personal and professional connections, though building a strong network takes time and intentional effort. In this article, I will discuss strategies, best practices, and opportunities for building a network at your university and beyond, including: 

• When to begin networking;
• How to identify your reason for networking;
• How to use different types of online networking platforms;
• How to craft effective outreach messages using the GREAT framework; and
• How to prepare for and make the most of face-to-face networking opportunities.

Find your reason to network, and start early

Before the job search

While many people might realize the importance of networking in the midst of a job search, it’s never too early to begin building and expanding your network. The goal need not be immediate; having a strong network can have future value you may be unable to recognize in the present. Creating a strong network is important for all types of career paths, whether you’re pursuing industry or academic professions. 

For those pursuing careers in industry, you can start learning about different professional trajectories or roles from the people who work in those positions. Or, for those in academia, you can gain exposure to new ideas and research collaborations even before any specific project emerges. In fact, each of these motivations have guided my own networking activities. For example, in the fall before graduating with my Master’s degree, I used the strategies I share in this article to connect with individuals working in industries and positions I was interested in potentially pursuing, knowing that I had many months left before I needed to have a job secured. 

There are many reasons to network, and being specific about your goals will guide your journey!

During the job search

During your job search, or in the months leading up to one, networking can help you narrow your search, and boost your application. Tapping into your network might allow you to learn about opportunities that might not yet be publicly posted, which is especially important for more senior roles. A referral from a current employee could also push your application to the top of the stack, making networking an important way to improve your odds of getting that first interview. 

No matter what stage in your career you find yourself, taking some time to reflect on your future goals is important to focus your networking efforts. The aim of networking is to make connections and have conversations that help you achieve your goal. 

So before you embark on your networking journey, it is worth taking the time to reflect: 

• What are your short- and long-term career goals?
• Why do you want to expand your network? 
• What do you want to learn and who can provide that information?
• What is the timeline you are working with? 
• What would success in this networking process look like in a few months? A few years?

In the rest of this article, I will focus on how to network effectively using common online platforms such as LinkedIn, connecting on video calls, and when attending in-person events.

When it comes to building your network, cast a wide net. Even your current network probably includes more people than you think!

Build online connections

Online networking is one of the most convenient and low-barrier forms of networking. The three most important platforms are LinkedIn, Handshake, and your university’s alumni network.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn has become a near-universal job board while also facilitating professional networking through the “connections” feature. When looking at a job posting or a company’s page, LinkedIn will list your connections, company alumni, and university alumni who have some affiliation with the company. Recruiters and hiring managers may also reach out to you via LinkedIn, and in my experience this can be a great way to initiate a conversation after sifting through the uninteresting and irrelevant messages. 

Handshake

Handshake shares LinkedIn’s role as a widely used job board, but is targeted toward students and recent graduates. That means that posted jobs are often a better match for early career job seekers. Additionally, your university might publish lists of companies interested in hiring alumni as well as those attending upcoming job fairs, as the MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD) Office does. For more information on this platform, check out the MIT CAPD’s guide to Handshake. I have found Handshake to be very useful for determining which jobs and career events are of interest. 

Alumni databases

Lastly, I strongly recommend that you investigate your university’s online alumni network. For example, the MIT Alumni Advisor’s Hub is an excellent resource for MIT students to directly connect with MIT alumni, who have signed up to be listed as “advisors” for students and fellow alumni. While the site assigns scores to advisors based on the similarity of their experience with your interests, you can also search for specific terms, such as job title or company. An advisor’s profile will detail their work and educational experience, list specific conversation topics you can reach out about (e.g. career conversations, mock interviews, work-life balance, etc.), and allow you to suggest times that would work for both of you to meet online. I met with several people from the Advisor’s Hub, and found all of my conversations to be encouraging and helpful! If you’re not sure whether your university has an alumni database, contact your school’s Career Services program or your department’s academic administrator. 

Craft your GREAT message

Regardless of which platforms you use for online networking, in order to initiate a connection you will need to send an introductory message to someone that you don’t know. For many people, this is one of the least familiar and most intimidating aspects of networking, which can be a substantial barrier to making new connections. It is important to keep in mind that most people want to be helpful and are willing to share their experiences, especially when engaging with those that are early in their career! That being said, you will need to show that you are being thoughtful and intentional in your outreach, or to put it more bluntly, that you are someone worth investing time in. It goes without saying that kindness on your part is the best way to ensure kindness on theirs.

In crafting your message, you must carefully consider why you are reaching out to this specific person, and why you want to have a conversation. Remember too that your initial message should be short–you just want to initiate a conversation, not give a monologue! Fortunately, most effective messages share a similar structure. To remember the key parts of an effective message, I’ve created a helpful mnemonic: GREAT.

Greetings. Just like any other interaction, start with saying hello! If you don’t know this person, you might want to give a brief introduction: “I am a graduate student at MIT studying X with a background in Y from Z.” If you are reaching out to an existing connection, give them a short professional update, if relevant: “Since I saw you last, I’ve graduated with my Masters and have recently begun my job search.”

Reason. Explain the context of why you are reaching out to them, specifically: “I saw that you recently began your role as Lead Engineer at the Tech Institute.”

Express interest and purpose. Express interest in their position, company, or research, and state what you hope to learn from them: “I am very interested in becoming an engineer at the Tech Institute, and would love to hear about your background and how your experience brought you to your current position.”

Ask for a response. Be very explicit about what you are asking this person to do, so they know the desired outcome of this initial outreach: “Would you have time for a 30-minute conversation some time in the next couple weeks?”

Thank you. Remember that this person is volunteering their time to help you, so you should express gratitude. But as always, don’t over do it: “Thank you in advance for your time, and I hope to connect soon!”

 If you can remember these key ingredients you will send GREAT messages. The GREAT framework is applicable for many kinds of messages, including this example email I drafted:

In this example email, my subject line – “MIT CEE student looking to connect over climate tech experience” – immediately indicates who I am and why I am writing to this person. Inboxes can pile up quickly and you want to ensure your message gets read.

Some further advice to keep in mind when connecting online: 

1. Once you set a time for a meeting, do not change it. The other person is volunteering their time, so be sure to be respectful. 
2. Try to cultivate a genuine connection by expressing real interest and showing enthusiasm in a way that is authentic for you. If the conversation content is not interesting, that could indicate that the role/industry is not the right fit, or that you might try reaching out to someone else to hear a different perspective.
3. Don’t forget to follow up with a “thank you” email. This is especially important if you want to reinforce next steps, such as getting further connected with someone else or securing a referral. If you do get connected with someone else, you can mention that in your outreach message: e.g. “Celeste recommended I contact you to learn more about your experiences in the industry.” 

Connect face-to-face

Conferences, workshops, and other presentations are ripe with networking opportunities. Whether you set up a video call with a new connection or are attending an in-person event, face-to-face networking is an essential skill. This type of networking might happen after fornal talks or poster presentations at conferences, or at booths during job fairs. Deliberately seeking out new connections during events like these is one of the best ways to introduce yourself to new people and build confidence. Thankfully, these types of conversations are expected and wanted by attendees!

Formal presentations

For example, after someone delivers a talk, it is very common for audience members to linger and chat about the work. This provides the perfect opportunity for you to ask the speaker any questions you didn’t have time to ask, or connect with them about their paper that you recently read. If they are already surrounded by other interested attendees, don’t be afraid to join the conversation. You can also ask for their contact information, and offer yours as well, to follow up later. 

Poster sessions

Poster sessions also provide a great opportunity to connect with people working in your field. Depending on the conference, you may be able to read abstracts ahead of time to plan who you want to connect with. While visiting their poster, you might ask for their contact information to follow up later. You can let them know why you want to connect, such as whether you’re hoping to learn more about their research project and/or professional experience.

Networking events

Many conferences also have dedicated networking sessions. Structured networking events can be intimidating, but remember that everyone is there to talk to new people. The conversations can be fluid and natural! Don’t be afraid to share information about yourself, which can be a great way to elicit information from others. Worlds are very small, so someone may know your colleague or advisor, or may have some sort of connection to your alma mater. Asking questions is also important. The more questions you ask, the more you learn about others, and the more you share about yourself, the better connections can be made.

Prepare an elevator pitch

During any introductory conversation, whether at a conference, job fair, or online, you will likely be asked some variant of “tell me about yourself.” Without preparation, this seemingly straightforward prompt can leave even the most sure-footed networker tongue-tied. Where do I begin? What should I highlight? These are the types of questions you will answer for yourself by preparing your elevator pitch.

As concisely as possible, you need to get across:

Who are you? What is your background?
What do you do? What is your current role? What are your research and/or professional interests?
What are your skills? Is your skillset aligned with the requirements of the role and/or company of interest?
What are you looking for? This is where you bring in your ask, whether that involves a new position, collaboration, exploration, or specific information.

Adapt to your audience and context

The way that you end your elevator pitch will vary depending on the audience, setting, and your goal. The following table summarizes some common settings, and bolds key words and phrases for each. 

Although you want to enter networking situations with your key points in mind, you will likely not be able to give your entire elevator pitch verbatim. Instead, allow the content to flow throughout the course of the conversation. The quantity and depth of information that you share about yourself will depend on the nature of the interaction– the audience and context– but it’s always a good idea to keep in mind the key highlights of your background. This will enable you to selectively share specific information about yourself and your goals throughout the conversation.

Be sure to ask questions

During your conversation, whether in an interview setting, job fair, or informal chat, beyond sharing your elevator pitch you should also come prepared to ask questions. Questions are not only a great way to resolve any uncertainties you might have, but they can be a great way to demonstrate interest and set yourself apart from others. For instance, a question can help you demonstrate knowledge on a subject, show particular insights on a field or topic, and express genuine curiosity. Your questions should be tailored to the specific individual or group you are addressing, and the labs/companies with which you are engaging. Common themes involve daily activities, team dynamics, and growth opportunities, which otherwise might be difficult to deduce from a job listing or lab/company description on a website. As mentioned earlier, asking questions also communicates your curiosity and desire to learn from your audience. 

Follow through with your networking goals

Networking can feel overwhelming, but building your network is as easy as these four steps:

1. Find your reason to network.
2. Identify opportunities to connect with others.
3. Craft your story.
4. Start networking!

To help jumpstart your journey, I’ve created a Networking Plan worksheet. After answering these prompts, you’ll be ready to start building a network in a deliberate, goal-oriented way.

You can download a .pdf of this worksheet at the end of this article.

Take the journey in stride

It is crucial to be intentional about each of these steps, and know that while a strong network will take time to build, in the end it will be worth the effort. There might be unanswered messages, awkward conversations, or people you wouldn’t want to talk to again, but that’s all part of the process. Building a network is all about preparation and proactive outreach. If you start early, you will have time on your side. 

Finally, remember that your network also includes the social connections you make outside of formal networking situations. The relationships that you build in school and the workplace could be some of your most important professional connections, so it could pay off to take some time to meet new people, join organizations and clubs, and have fun. 

Lastly, remember to seek out resources that will prepare you for effective networking. The MIT CAPD has compiled a plethora of networking resources, and you ask your peers, instructors, and mentors about their own networking approaches. If you are an MIT student or postdoc seeking help with networking you can also make an appointment with one of our Comm Fellows. We are happy to help you identify opportunities, craft messages, and practice networking!

Resources and Annotated Examples

About the author

Trevor Cambron is a 2nd year PhD student in the Terrer Lab

Trevor is an MIT Presidential Fellow in Dr. César Terrer’s lab. He graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Earth Systems and a Notation with Distinction in Science Communication. His research centers around the impact of global change on terrestrial ecosystems, and leverages machine learning, remote sensing, and data assimilation to address fundamental uncertainties in the carbon cycle. Currently, he is focused on the role of nutrient availability in constraining the land carbon sink.

Trevor has experience publishing scientific manuscripts, delivering research talks, giving poster presentations, and engaging with public-facing science communication.

You can make an appointment with Trevor using our online scheduler, or contact him at: tcambron@mit.edu.

MIT Prehealth Advising CPW Presentation & Student Panel Slides

The upcoming Careers in Medicine & Life Sciences Alumni Speed Networking event is your chance to connect with professionals who’ve navigated these fields and gain firsthand insights into their career journeys.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, March 5th
• Location: E17-294
• Sign up now on Handshake!

What to Expect!

This fast-paced, interactive networking event brings together a diverse group of MIT alumni working in medicine, research, and biotechnology. Whether you’re exploring career options, looking for mentorship or networking opportunities, or seeking advice on graduate school, this event offers a unique opportunity to engage with experienced professionals in a small-group setting.  There’s also the added benefit of connecting with alumni through your shared MIT experience and unique cultural bond!

Why Attend?

• Expand Your Network – Meet alumni who have been in your shoes and can offer guidance on different career paths.
• Gain Career Insights – Hear real-world experiences from professionals in medicine, industry, and academia.
• Ask Your Questions – Get advice on everything from medical school applications to research opportunities and biotech startups.

Alumni You’ll Meet! The event features guest speakers with a wide range of expertise, including:

Anjali Misra, MD – Emergency Medicine Resident at Mass General Brigham

Anjali (Anji) Misra is a recent graduate of Harvard Medical School is currently in her residency at Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine residency at Mass General Brigham.  Anjali grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and graduated from MIT majoring in Brain & Cognitive Sciences.  After MIT, Anjali earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) as a Mitchell Scholar in Cork, Ireland. She is excited to pursue a career in emergency medicine that combines her interests in emergency medical services (EMS), public health, and legislative advocacy.

Meet with Anjali Misra if you are interested in:

• Learning what the residency years of being a physician are like, especially in emergency medicine.
• Exploring the intersection of emergency medicine, public health, and policy advocacy.
• Understanding the path to earning an MPH and how it complements a medical career.
• Gaining insight into Fellowship opportunities like the Mitchell Scholarship for studying abroad.

Dr. Chung Wei Lee, MD-PhD – Senior Clinical Trial Physician/Medical Director at Bristol Myers Squib

Dr. Chung Wei Lee, M.D., Ph.D., is a physician-scientist and biotech entrepreneur with extensive experience in clinical research, oncology drug development, and biomedical innovation. He has held leadership roles in pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including serving as the current Senior Clinical Trial Physician / Medical Director in Global Oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb and Director of Clinical Development at PharmaEssentia. He also worked as a Principal Scientist at Axcella Health and a Research Scientist at MIT’s Division of Comparative Medicine.  Dr. Lee earned his Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from MIT and his M.D. in Internal Medicine from National Taiwan University. 

Meet with Dr. Lee if you are interested in:

• Pursuing a career in clinical research and drug development
• Understanding the career path of a PhD or MD in the biotech & pharmaceutical industry
• Learning about the transition from a career in academia to industry
• Bridging biomedical research and pharmaceutical innovation to develop new therapies

Dr. Maxine Jonas, PhD – MIT Senior Lecturer in Biological Engineering

Dr. Maxine Jonas, Ph.D., an instructor at MIT, is a biological engineer, research scientist, and educator with expertise in bioinstrumentation, synthetic biology, and biomedical innovation. She is a Principal Research Scientist in MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering and a Communication Lab Instructor, where she helps students refine their scientific communication skills.  Her career spans both academia and industry, including research and development roles focused on biotechnology, microfluidics, and cell analysis.  Dr. Jonas completed her PhD in Biological Engineering at MIT.

Meet with Dr. Jonas if you are interested in:

• Exploring careers in biological engineering, biotechnology, or bioinstrumentation.
• Learning about the transition between academia, industry, and research leadership.
• Gaining insights into scientific communication and effective research presentation skills.
• Navigating interdisciplinary careers that merge engineering and life sciences.

Naren Tallapragada, PhD – Tessel Bio CEO u0026amp; Co-Founder

Dr. Naren Tallapragada started Tessel to stop chronic disease. Over a decade ago, while an undergrad at MIT studying Electrical Engineering & Physics, Naren watched his mom succumb to small bowel cancer after a lifetime with Crohn’s. That experience led Naren to pick up a pipette for the first time and pursue a PhD in Systems Biology at Harvard. Motivated by one question – “Why don’t we all get cancer all the time?” – Naren studied organ regeneration and repair, with a focus on watching stem cells in tissues carry out this complex dance. In the process, he pioneered methods to reverse-engineer disease in a dish through organoid culture, imaging, and single-cell sequencing. Naren’s career has taken him from politics and Big Tech back to science and startups, with stops along the way at Roivant, Google X, and Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign. Now, Naren is excited to build on this foundation – discovering and developing new drugs with the whole team at Tessel.

Outside of work, Naren enjoys running, cooking, and subjecting his family to bad puns and dad jokes.

Meet with Dr. Tallapragada if you are interested in:

• Exploring careers in biomedicine, entrepreneurship, and tech
• Learning about academic and career pivots from engineering to politics to biomedicine
• Gaining insights into drug discovery, cutting edge tech, startups, management and leadership
• Infusing science policy and political engagement into a career in STEM

Ta-Chun Hang, PhD – Head of Process Development at Asimov

Dr. Ta-Chun Hang is an industry leader with subject matter expertise spanning biologics and C&GT. Dr. Hang is experienced with merging computational and experimental systems approaches, with direct applications in cellular therapies and biologics. Dr. Hang has extensive experience in working with early stage development programs through CMC RA to commercial manufacturing.

Specialties: Cellular Drug Product Manufacturing (Cell & Gene Therapy), Bioprocess Engineering & Manufacturing, Systems Biology, Process Optimization/Characterization/Validation, Computational Modeling and Data Analysis Approaches, AI/ML, Method Development, Grant Writing, Bioelectrochemical Systems, Scientific Strategy, and Project Management.

Meet with Dr. Hang if you are interested in:

• Pursuing a career in biological engineering through early stage development to commercial manufacturing in industry
• Understanding the career trajectory from research associate to project management and leadership
• Learning about the transition from a career in academia from PhD and postdoc to industry
• Combining biological engineering and computational techniques in cellular therapies and biologics

Register for this event in Handshake!

Email Akunna Rosser, arosser@mit.edu, with any questions on this event.