Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School, launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers. This podcast provides insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice we provide can be applicable to other audiences.
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Ep 65 – Insights from recent conferences - GCC, BIO and ASM - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 25
mercredi 25 juin 2025 • Durée 34:28
In this episode, Jim and Lauren talk about a few conferences that Lauren attended / spoke at between June 10th and 23rd 2025 covering these points below. Lauren was at the Graduate Career Consortium (GCC) conference in Minneapolis MN from June 10-13, The BIO conference in Boston from June 15-18 and the American Society of Microbiology Microbe (ASM) conference in Los Angeles from June 19-23.
What is the GCC conference
How was the GCC
Our talk at the GCC – along with Vanderbilt and the Science Communication Lab about our respective podcasts - The title: “Still listening? a Comparison of three Ph.D. podcasts and a discussion of their relevance in 2025.
Panel moderation at the SMDP program on Getting Hired
Advice that the panelists shared during the panel
BIO conference networking and engaging with international groups
The possible talk at Bio
Developing a high impact resume talk at the ASM Career Symposium
Mentoring at ASM
Takeaways from Lauren’s talk at the ASM Leadership Symposium on How to develop and engage your professional network
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School,launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listenersnavigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice weprovide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
Ep 64 - Universal pieces of advice to “all job seekers” (career area agnostic) - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 24
jeudi 19 juin 2025 • Durée 36:15
In this episode, Jim and Lauren discuss universal pieces of advice, including these below, that apply to everyone,regardless of career focus, functional department, or industry sector. We hope you find this helpful as you navigate your career and search and we hope you enjoy listening!
You should keep an updated resume even if you are not looking for a role since you might need it for other types ofopportunities - such as volunteer opportunities or board opportunities.
People cannot read your minds - be careful with jargon and being so specific with details that people cannotunderstand what you do / what your impact was
Your resume is built for someone else to read – remember this
Tailor your resume for each role that you apply to
Don’t just cultivate your network when you need a role - you should be cultivating it all the time.
Find ways to reachout to and follow up with people in your network
Keep your LinkedIn profile updated to enable others to know what you might be up to
Share updates on LinkedIn to let your network know what you are up to and amplify others
Have your elevator pitch ready in case you need to use it - at the baseball game, conference, networking event, etc
Self-reflect - understand/remind yourself that you have blindspots, biases, strengths, value, and areas to improve
Ep 63: Myth busting - misconceptions people have about job applications, review and interview process - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 23
mercredi 11 juin 2025 • Durée 36:25
In this episode, Jim and Lauren discuss myths that we have heard from people regarding the job application process, application review process, and interview process. Wedispel these myths, including points below, and share insights about why these myths are not accurate. We hope you find this helpful as you navigate your career and search and we hope you enjoy listening!
Myth: The best-qualified candidate with the best technical skills always gets the job
Myth: You should apply to as many jobs as possible
Myth: If you don’t hear back quickly, you didn’t get the job
Myth: AI/ATS controls the whole application process
Myth: You can only get hired if you know someone
Myth: The more resumes you send, the more interviews you will receive
Myth: You only need to have 1 resume
Myth: Your resume needs to be one page.
Myth: Resumes are only work related
Myth: You can only apply if you meet 100% of the job requirements
Myth: You should hide employment gaps at all costs
Ep 62: Career choices we are seeing as people navigate the current job landscape - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 22
vendredi 6 juin 2025 • Durée 38:27
In this episode, Jim and Lauren share insights about career options we are seeing people looking to pursue now giventhe current job landscape and flux in the US job market. We thought this could be helpful to share in case it helps others as they are considering their career choices. We dive into these points below. We hope you enjoy listening!
We are seeing people considering new roles they had not previously considered due to the need to cast a wider net in the current environment
We cover what a few of these roles are
We are seeing more people consider career opportunities outside of the US
~50% of graduate students and 60-70 % of postdocs are international so it makes sense to consider careeropportunities outside of the US. Many come to the US to do their Ph.D. or postdoc and want to stay here, but if we don’t make it possible for them to stay here, they will seek employment elsewhere
We provide advice for how people can start to think about what other options might be a good fit for them
We highlight transferrable skills for a few of the roles we are seeing a lot of interest in such as research, patent law, medical writing, scientific communication, data science, consulting, medical science liaison
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School,launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice weprovide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
Ep 61: LinkedIn Questions - applying, interpreting LI applicant numbers, job postings, and more - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 21
jeudi 29 mai 2025 • Durée 33:29
In this episode, Jim and Lauren cover questions about LinkedIn that we have gotten in the last few weeks. These questions focus mostly on job’s posted on Linkedin, job search features, applicant numbers, and other questions regarding using LinkedIn for a job search. We thought these topics, including these points below, would make a useful podcast episode since many of you listening may have the same questions. We hope you enjoy listening.
How to interpret LinkedIn job numbers, if a role has 1,000 people who have applied, should you still apply?
Are all of the people applying to a role on LinkedIn qualified?
Should I be wary of postings that only have a few applicants after a certain timeframe?
If a role has been posted on LinkedIn for a month or more, is it still active?
How does LinkedIn suggest roles for you?
How do organizations review applications on LinkedIn
Advice for reaching out to people on LinkedIn about a job posting that you see on LinkedIn
Is the “Indicate Interest” tab useful to use on LinkedIn. Do recruiters look at this?
Is LinkedIn Premium worth it?
How far back should you list information on your LinkedIn profile?
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School, launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
Ep 60 Salary Negotiation - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 20
jeudi 22 mai 2025 • Durée 42:31
In our last episode, we talked about negotiation tips in general. In this episode, Jim and I focus on salary negotiation tips. We will offer advice for different parts of this process including the self reflection part, research part, and the offer negotiation part. We cover these points below. Lauren gives talks on this topic often, and has also given a large number of offers, so she think about this topic a lot! We know many people get anxious even thinking about this topic, so we hope people listening and find this helpful.
Before you start negotiating, you should reflect on a few things one of which is what is important to you
We cover a few thoughts for industry as well academic offers
Do your research for insight into salary ranges for roles
We cover pay transparency laws since this helps with salary insights
Components of an offer covering industry and academic offers
Parts of offers that could be negotiable
Evaluate the entire package
How to approach negotiation
Different ways to approach negotiation
Negotiating multiple offers
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School, launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
Ep 59 General Negotiation Tips - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 19
vendredi 16 mai 2025 • Durée 34:53
In this episode, Jim and Lauren focus on the topic of negotiation. We cover advice that can apply to different types of negotiation scenarios. We will talk about how to prepare for negotiation as well as a few tips for negotiation. This episode will not talk about salary negotiation - we will cover this in episode 60. We know many people get anxious even thinking about negotiation so we hope you all listening, find this helpful.
Negotiation happens all the time - small and big negotiations
This happens in personal and professional settings
Many of us have these skills, we just need to practice these, especially to prepare for the big negotiations
We share a few scenarios in which negotiation may happen
Why negotiate
Things to consider as you plan to negotiate
Do your homework
Run through multiple scenarios to help you anticipate and then practice, practice, practice!
Don't be afraid to ask for what you want
Focus on interests, not positions
Think about what your BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement) is
Assume best intentions, think about the time and place for negotiation and get into the right mindset
Ep 58: Being ready and present - how do you put your “game face” on - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 18
vendredi 9 mai 2025 • Durée 33:55
In many of our episodes, we talk about how to be competitive for the job market and how to navigate the current job market. This episode will provide advice for how to “get your game face on” to help you as you engage with others, whether this is during the job search process, such as in interviews, or when networking, or in other settings. Our physical posture and body language can influence our thoughts and feelings (known as embodied cognition) and there is a reciprocal relationship between body language and mental state. We cover topics such as these below. We hope you enjoy listening.
It can be helpful to stand up and/ or move around
Smiling, even if you are not looking at anyone directly, is helpful
Power poses are real!
Remember - you are the expert, especially if you are giving a talk
Routine or rituals are helpful
A few tips to get into the right mindset
The role music can play
Don’t forget about your environment
Reflect
Time-limitedness - understanding that whatever you’re about to do is temporary but important
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School, launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
Ep 57: The tough job market and navigating your job search in difficult times - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 17
vendredi 2 mai 2025 • Durée 34:35
In this episode, Jim and Lauren give some context into why the job market is tough right now and advice for how to navigate a job search in these difficult times. We hope you enjoy listening.
The current uncertainty in many things (tariffs, funding, etc) makes it hard for organizations to plan and therefore hire. This is impacting all sectors - industry, academia, non-profits, and government
It is hard for companies to raise money right now and this is one reason why there are so many layoffs and reorganizations happening. Due to fundraising challenges, companies want to hold onto their cash to help extend their runway. Many types of organizations specially early stage research companies have been heavily impacted by funding challenges.
The new administration is cutting and freezing funding, such as NIH and NSF grants and also freezing contracts including those at universities. This is impacting many academic institutions and their labs as well as companies and non-profits. Many organizations have laid of talent due to these cuts.
Funding cuts, reduction in workforce at the FDA, and tariffs are impacting clinical trials. Some clinical trials have had to shut down. This impacts people working on the trials and also causes more uncertainty in the life sciences sector. More uncertainly increases investment risk.
Tariffs are impacting research since raw materials, reagents and other supplies are more expensive. These will impact the amount of money that can be invested in research and the overall amount of research that can happen.
To navigate a search in this difficult time… be more open to types of roles you consider, as well as titles and even types of organizations you will consider working for
Ep 56: more Questions from Lauren’s talk “The Talent Code: Understanding How Companies Assess Potential” at HMS - Propelling Careers Podcast
Saison 2 · Épisode 15
samedi 26 avril 2025 • Durée 43:07
This podcast is a continuation from our last episode, 55, to answer questions that were asked during my recent talk to postdocs at Harvard Medical School on “The Talent Code: Understanding How Companies Assess Potential. Links in comments below.
In this episode, we cover resumes and cover letters and a few other points including these below. We hope you enjoy listening.
Do you think resumes should have a short summary statement at the start?
What is a normal page length for a resume?
Advice for how to include relevant information on your resume in the space allocated for a “normal resume length”
Advice for how much space to allocate for each of your roles in your resume
Advice for how to prioritize what bullets to add to your experiences
Advice for how much time you should spend optimizing a resume
What is the window for applying for a role before is late?
Is it necessary or preferable to separate skills into Soft and Technical?
Is it worth highlighting soft skills even if the job description does not ask for much of them?
We provide a few insights for resumes for specific roles such as medical affairs / medical science liaison roles and consulting.
Periodically check in with yourself to see where you are in your career
Show gratitude, say thank you, show appreciation
Realize that others face similar challenges and may be struggling as well - it’s not always about you
Give yourself grace
Be organized
Be intentional
Be realistic
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School,launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice weprovide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
Myth: Industry doesn’t care about your publications
Myth: If a job is only asking for a BS and you have a Ph.D, then you are overqualified and should not apply
Myth: No one reads your cover letter
Myth: Interviewers are trying to trip you up
Myth: Do not follow up after the interview. If you do, it will be viewed as nagging and will be annoying
Myth: If you don’t get this job, it means you failed or you’re not hirable
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School,launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listenersnavigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice weprovide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice we provide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice we provide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
When negotiating, build rapport, listen actively, be inquisitive and ask questions, take your time
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School, launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice we provide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice we provide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
Scientists are resilient and often comfortable with ambiguity, lean into this, even though we know this is tough to do right now.
Normalize that this is a challenging time
Find a thing(s) to do, so that you are not job searching all day every day… otherwise, you will burn out
Try to have a positive attitude or at least try to see the positive in things you are going through. Positivity will help you as you endure the current situation
Remember, this current situation will not be permanent… Things will change, we just don’t know how long it will take and how much we will be able to come back…
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School, launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice we provide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
How to detach your resume from your cover letter and not have your cover letter just sound exactly like your resume.
How formal should the cover letter be as far as writing style/language.
If the position you're applying for doesn't accept cover letters, how do you include one?
Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers and Jim Gould, the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School,launched this podcast as a way for us to share our advice, insights, and reflections to help others navigate their careers.
As we develop new episodes, this podcast will provide insights regarding career advice to help listeners navigate career choices and become more confident in their decisions. We look forward to busting myths and providing real life, timely, and accurate advice. Jim and Lauren work heavily with Ph.D. trained scientists, but the advice we provide can be applicable to other audiences. We hope you enjoy listening!
