TBA The Biotechnology Initiative

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Mentor. Partner. Learn. Grow.

TBI recently launched its mentorship program to help develop business and science professionals and build a stronger network of expertise within Ontario. The program offers individuals the opportunity to connect with other professionals with similar interests or backgrounds to promote development, addressing the need for human capital in the biotech industry.

During the TBI September program launch, attendees were asked to create a group resume to highlight their collective education, as well as their hard and soft skills. Through this exercise it was made clear that most TBI members are qualified to be mentors. Many people think of a mentor as advanced in their career, however mentoring can occur at any stage of career development so long as the mentor has more experience than the protégé. For example, a recent graduate could be a great mentor for a current student who will likely experience many of the same early career hurdles.

“As someone who has been mentored extensively I have experienced the benefits first hand. I am in the early stage of my career, but students and recent graduates have approached me for advice on how to break into the industry and how I made my career decisions. I have been able to informally mentor these people based on my experiences,” said Jill Osborne, TBI Mentorship Program Chair.

TBI’s program was shaped by the past mentoring experiences of its members. Those who had been previously mentored expressed sincere gratitude for the support and guidance they received. A common sentiment was that mentoring provides a situation conducive to forming lasting mutually beneficial relationships.

“My mentors have helped me set career goals and figure out how to get there. They have also helped me overcome many challenges. I am so grateful for their advice and support,” said Osborne. “We have developed a lifelong bond and I know that wherever I am in my career I can turn to them for assistance and encouragement.”

Although a mentor’s purpose is to help a protégé develop professionally, the mentor also learns and grows. By connecting with another person in the life sciences industry, ideas and knowledge are shared between the two people, facilitated by their mutual interests. New trends, technologies and issues can be passed from protégé to mentor. By providing guidance, a mentor also further develops managerial skills such as coaching and leadership. Finally, by building relationships with protégés and attending TBI’s mentorship program events, mentors can extend their professional networks.

“Since the start of my career TBI has been my professional home. My mentors have brought me back here time and time again,” said Adi Treasurywala, long time TBI member. “I want to give back to this community and mentoring others as I was mentored has allowed me to contribute in a meaningful way.”

Often mentors receive professional and public recognition and gain a sense of satisfaction for having made a difference in their protégé’s life. Mentoring is an opportunity to give back to the life sciences industry and to thank people who have helped you in your career by helping others.

“The real value of mentorship is when you hit a failure point in your career and a mentor gives much needed confidence,” said Treasurywala. “This assurance is often what they need to pick themselves up and move forward. By giving a protégé your support and telling them ‘you’re great,’ you can make a difference in their life when they need it the most.”

This program adds value to TBI’s individual members by providing them with an opportunity to expand their network and grow as professionals. It was designed based on information provided by industry professionals, making it the only life sciences specific mentoring initiative in Canada. The flexibility of the program allows mentors and protégés to determine their time commitment and meeting frequency, providing mentors with an opportunity to participate despite their busy careers.

TBI’s mentorship program seeks to address problems in the biotech industry including the science and business divide, promoting leadership and increasing the number of skilled professionals who remain in Ontario. By joining this unique program as a protégé or a mentor you can receive the numerous benefits and build meaningful relationships that last a lifetime.