Daria Wnuk-Lipinski & Lucie Stamm: Experiences in the Alumni Mentoring Programme
The CGA supports its doctoral researchers throughout their PhD. Along the way, one of the most pressing questions is: What comes next? To facilitate this decision and give the doctoral researchers a glimpse into life after the PhD, the CGA offers a mentoring program: CGA alumni coach current CGA researchers. Daria Wnuk-Lipinski (doctoral researcher of CGA class 2019) and Lucie Stamm (alumni of CGA class 2013, product manager at Miltenyi Biotech) participated in the mentoring. This is what they say about it:
Daria, why did you decide to join the CGA mentoring, and why did you choose Lucie as your mentor?
Daria: I decided to join the CGA mentoring program to gain insights into life after completing my PhD. The program offered a unique opportunity to learn from someone who has walked the path I’m embarking on. I picked Lucie as my mentor because her role as a product manager at Miltenyi Biotech resonated with my interests and career goals. I was eager to learn more about aspects like the role as a product manager at Miltenyi Biotech, the application process, and the company itself. This exploration aimed to help me better understand this career path and find out if it could be a suitable option for my future career steps.
Could you describe your CGA mentoring process? What is different for you now after the mentoring with Lucie?
Daria: The mentoring process involved written interactions and meetings where Lucie shared her experiences, offered guidance, and helped me explore potential career paths. In addition, Lucie also connected me with another colleague in the company who works in a field more closely related to neuroscience. This gave me an additional resource to reach out to for insights. After the mentoring, I feel more confident and informed about my career choices. Lucie’s insights, along with the opportunity to connect with her colleague, have given me a clearer perspective on what to expect and how to prepare for life in industry after my PhD.
Lucie, how did you feel when Daria approached you for the CGA mentoring? Why did you accept to become her mentor?
Lucie: When Daria approached me and asked if I could mentor her, I felt honored. I remember very well how I felt during my PhD project and how valuable tips and insights from more advanced or former PhD students were for me. This is why I was happy to be Daria's mentor.
Not too long ago, you were a doctoral researcher at the CGA. How do you think an alumni mentor could have helped you at that time?
Lucie: When I was a doctoral researcher, I knew well about career options in academia but not so much in industry. What different jobs are out there for biologists and how does the day-to-day business look like? Talking to someone from that field would have helped me to not feel so intimidated and also to start growing a network outside academia.
Do you have any tips for future CGA mentors or mentees who would like to participate in the future?
Daria: Be proactive and open. Take this opportunity to learn about the job market and gain insights from people already working in your field of interest. If you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask for help. The mentoring program is a great platform to explore and find a job that truly matches your interests. My goal was to learn, grow, and make informed decisions about your future career path.
Lucie: My advice would be to use every opportunity to connect and to grow your network. Whether as mentee or mentor, it is very helpful to stay well connected with your CGA students because you share so many experiences.