Process development associate skills for your resume and career

Communication, Team work, problem-solving.

This is entirely dependent upon the position, as there are so many different positions in the biotech industry. For R&D, PD, MS&T, QC, manufacturing type positions, for example, hands-on lab skills are important. For this, the aseptic technique work in microbiology, cell culture, liquid chromatography, and with various assay equipment. Bio and chemical engineers are also in demand in these areas in order to under the fluid dynamics in manufacturing. Depending upon the size of the company and the stage of R&D, there is a wide range of (molecular and cellular biology) technical skills that can be very useful for particular positions. Computational Biology has become a big part of many biotech company's portfolios.

Having helped build a school of entrepreneurship, my bias is strongly around development of an entrepreneurial mindset and skills. This is not to suggest one should try to become what most think of as an "entrepreneur" but rather to think on what will help you become the entrepreneur of your own life.

What do I mean by "entrepreneurial mindset"? It begins with curiosity. Am I curious about new things on the horizon? Are they opportunities or threats to me? In either case, do I consider possible ways to deal with it? Or do I just carry on without further thought? Beyond heightened awareness, do I have a bias toward action? Am I willing to take reasoned risks? If I try something and it doesn't work out, do I consider it a failure or a learning experience? These are some of the basic dimensions of entrepreneurial mindset. For more insight, there is plenty of searchable material on the subject.

A very useful way to utilize a gap year is to enhance your personal development by assessing your skill set with respect to:
-Succinct writing
-Oral presentation
-Negotiation
-Personal finance
-Leadership and team participation
-Personal branding

These skills are important to entrepreneurs, but more importantly, they are valuable to everyone regardless of career path and are highly prized by employers. The number one skill valued by employers beyond specific job-related skills, like mechanical engineering, is the ability to present well. For each of these skill areas there is a wealth of free or inexpensive materials, workshops, and resources to help you hone your skills. Most graduates have had little or no training.

Dependent on financial circumstances, a gap year could be used to find ways to broaden your experience portfolio. Volunteer in a social enterprise or non-profit, intern in an area of interest, or try to participate in an entrepreneurial startup. Also, there are many quality online courses becoming available which you could take to broaden your value.

The skills that students should have as they graduate fall into two major categories: the technical skills and the interpersonal "professional" skills (often referred to as "soft" skills). The technical skills include scientific knowledge and laboratory practices, such as aseptic technique, pipetting, proper recording keeping, and so forth. An important technical skill is also following the established protocols and procedures without deviation. Those are skills many graduates gain through their coursework, independent research, and/or internship opportunities. Some advanced laboratory skills acquired (for example, hands-on experience with flow cytometry, electron microscopy, etc.) may be a requirement for certain roles, and that experience can make candidates stand out, but are not essential for every role as you are entering the field.

The second category, the interpersonal "professional" skills, are just as (or, arguably, more) important than the technical skills. Communication is at the forefront of these skills - being able to collaborate clearly and effectively with others, to problem solve individually and as part of a team, and to engage in purposeful and respectful interpersonal interactions. A person can have all of the technical skills needed but may struggle in the role if they cannot effectively communicate and interact with their colleagues.

The working environment, by its very nature, requires communication and collaboration for success. These communication skills can include things like writing an appropriate email, using active listening and having meaningful dialogues with colleagues, and receiving and processing constructive criticism. Problem solving and creativity are also skills that fall into this category - you have to have the initiative to seek the answers and address issues; at the same time, you also need to recognize when to ask for help and seek that assistance. Lastly, time management, being flexible to situations, and a willingness to work hard are the bedrock of the skills that will be expected for a professional in biotechnology (or any field, for that matter). A 2019 article in Scientific American by Karla Talanian from the Massachusetts Biotechnology Foundation (MassBioEd) highlights more of the "soft skills" that biotechnology companies and laboratories are looking for in their new hires and employees.