The AlumLab Project

AlumLab facilitates networking opportunities and career support for alumni and learners with a life science background.

AlumLab initiatives aim to share insights on the following topics.

  • Translating life science graduate work to various workplaces
  • Decision-making processes at points of career transition
  • Top tips or insights within various industries or fields
  • The power of connections and maintaining a network
  • Job searching and interview tips

Upcoming Events

AlumLab x WTJ? Live:
Career Stories Unplugged - Carving out a consulting role Free event

Join us for a live episode recording of the What The Job? podcast, produced by the U of A Alumni Association.

Oct. 30, 2024, 5:30 - 8 p.m. 
RATT (Room at the Top) - Students' Union Building
7th Floor 8900 114 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J7 

Panel Topic

Unique career paths in the life sciences and how to leverage your skillset to carve out a role in consulting.

Networking reception to follow

One drink ticket and appetizers provided.

Featured panelists

Sarah Treit, '06 BSc, '15 PhD (she/her)
Figures First Consulting

Janelle Jiminez, '11 BSc(Spec), '16 MSc, '22 MBA (she/her)
Corporate Innovation Manager @ SVG Ventures | THRIVE | MBA focus on Innovation & Strategy

Nakita Rubuliak, '19 BSc (she/her)
Science Writer and Illustrator, Fuse Consulting

Learn More + Register

AlumLab x WTJ? Live:
Career Stories Unplugged - Academic Administration Free event

Join us for a live episode recording of the What The Job? podcast, produced by the U of A Alumni Association.

Mar. 26, 2024, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
RATT (Room at the Top) - Students' Union Building
7th Floor 8900 114 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J7 

Panel Topic

Leveraging your life sciences background for administrative roles in higher education.

Networking reception to follow

Networking reception to follow. One drink ticket and appetizers provided.

Featured panelists

TBD

Registration coming soon.

Watch Past Recorded Sessions

WTJ? Podcast Episode: Unique Career paths in Bio/Life Sciences

AlumLab teamed up with the What The Job? (WTJ?) podcast to bring you a live episode recording and networking event where WTJ? podcast host Matt Rea, '13 PhD, will interview three amazing alumni on the topic of carving out unique career paths in the bio/life sciences with a focus on entrepreneurship.

Now what? Tales from the first few years after graduation

You’ve finished your Masters or PhD (or maybe you’re just starting) so what are your prospects upon graduation? Hear from three recent FoMD graduates as they share their journeys from PhD students to exciting new roles in various industries. Learn how they applied their education in different ways, capitalizing on opportunities when they arose—and creating them when they didn’t. Discover what challenges they faced and what surprised them, but most of all, come listen to the panelists’ unique story about how their networks helped them get to where they are today.

Fireside Chat with Dr. Andy Kokaji

Join Dr. Andy Kokaji, ‘08 PhD, as he chats with Dr. Vanessa Carias, ‘19 PhD, on his impressive decade-long career with STEMCELL Technologies. They’ll talk about Andy’s journey of making Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40 list, being promoted eight times in eight years and being called a creative genius by the founder and CEO of STEMCELL Technologies. Andy will talk about navigating the private sector while building his career as a scientist, and share some of the lessons he has learned along the way. He will also speak to his experience transitioning into management roles where he has had to learn how to build effective teams and communicate across professional disciplines.

Mixing beakers + business: Alumni stories of building successful startups

They are creators, innovators and builders, not afraid of taking risks or starting from scratch. Hear from four inspirational alumni who entered the startup world after graduation, founding and building businesses from the bottom up. Learn how they combined their graduate education with entrepreneurship and dedicated their lives to making a positive impact. Whether you see yourself in the startup world or not, be prepared to be swept up by the passion and drive of these alumni; the lessons they’ve learned apply to anyone looking to use their graduate education to make the world a better place.

Fireside Chat with Dr. Kathleen (Katie) Bone

Interested in a job that bridges direct patient care and research? Join us as FoMD alumna Katie, '14 PhD, shares insider knowledge about the relatively unknown career path of directing clinical labs in Canada and the U.S. Learn about securing a clinical laboratory fellowship and the process of interviewing for jobs in this niche field.

Careers in the Medical Science Start-up Industry

Hear from a panel of FoMD alumni working in start-up industry jobs. This exciting sector promises plenty of opportunities for new graduates and young alumni wanting to work in fast-paced and dynamic positions.

Link to Webinar

Alumni to Alumni Career Mentoring Program

The Alumni to Alumni Career Mentoring Program connects alumni in the early stages of their career development (mentees) with alumni who are established in their careers (mentors) to develop the business and interpersonal skills that will help mentees navigate the workplace and advance their careers. The mentorship program is offered by the University of Alberta Alumni Association. AlumLab supports the matching process for program participants with a life science background. More information »