WHAT IS CAN?

Career Advisory Network (CAN) is a mentorship program, designed to help advance career goals of working professionals, postdocs, graduate students in biotech/pharma industry. CAN aims to cultivate members to be the next generation of healthcare/life sciences professionals and leaders through mentoring, skill building, and networking. It is a 6-month program with 1:1 or small group mentoring meetings and large group networking sessions.

CAN was launched by the Chinese American Biopharmaceutical Society (CABS) in 2010, and has been successfully held for past seven years. CABS and the Chinese Bioscience Association (CBA) started collaborating on CAN in 2017 to expand the the size of our mentorship pool from both the mentor and mentee perspective. This collaboration helps broaden the wealth of mentorship expertise and foster a culture of collaboration and partnership between members of both organizations as well as with the local scientific communities in the Bay Area.

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
# Mentors 23 26 28 26 32 35 29 29
# Mentees 32 58 59 62 62 57 31 52

2024 APPLICATION

We accept applications until 24:00 pm on Fri, Mar 29, 2014.

MENTOR registration: https://forms.gle/MYrF468Q1xYPm8GL8
MENTEE application: https://forms.gle/dEYCZQqjF3gDvHV59

HOW DOES CAN WORK?

Here is a standard timeline.

  • Happy hour mixer is hosted at the beginning of February. This event is open to everyone who’s interested in applying.
  • Online application for mentees and registration forms for mentors are posted online in February and will close in March. CAN directors will mat match mentors and mentees based on a variety of factors such as background, mutual interest, locations. It does not guarantee matching, as we strive to optimize fit for all group members. The matching results is sent out in early April.
  • Kick-off event is held in late April. This event is open to mentors and mentees who are accepted to the program. It gives mentors and mentees the opportunity to meet and mingle for the first time.
  • 1:1 or small group mentorship meeting. Mentees will meet with their mentor monthly to discuss specific career-building topics. Mentors and mentees will meet at a mutually agreed time and location (in person or virtually).
  • Large group networking sessions and career sessions (topics TBD) are held during the mentorship program. These sessions provide a platform for mentees to meet with peers and other mentors in the CAN network.
  • Graduation ceremony is usually held in late Oct or early Nov.

Who’re the mentors?

CAN mentors come from a variety background with diverse expertise and experiences encompassing pharmaceutical R&D, biotechnology development, project management, business development, medical communication, bioinformatics, medical device, patent law, management consulting, venture capital and entrepreneurs.

Mentor lists and bio:

2012

2014

2015

2016

2017

Guideline for mentors

  • Provide a listening ear
  • Provide constructive feedback when asked
  • Assist the mentee to set professional and career goals
  • Assist the mentee to identify actual and potential personal and professional development opportunities
  • Guide the mentee in developing skills of reflection and learning from experience
  • Encourage independent decision-making
  • Support, encourage and inspire the mentee

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact us through here.

Guideline for mentees

DOs and DONOTs for mentees.

DOs DONOTs
  • Email/call your mentor regularly
  • Disclose frustrations and concerns
  • Raise professional and career issues for discussion
  • Let your mentor know how s/he can help you
  • Make your own decisions
  • Look for new challenges
  • Set professional goals
  • Accept constructive criticism, use feedback wisely
  • Remember that, just like you, your mentor wants to be liked and respected
  • Say “thanks”
 Everything on the opposite &

  • Ignore your mentor’s calls and emails
  • Agree to do anything you do not want to do
  • Wait for your mentor to make all the decisions
  • Let your mentor set goals for you

Expect your mentor to make connections for you, including job hunting connection, business opportunities.

2024 APPLICATION

We accept applications until 24:00 pm on Fri, Mar 29, 2014.

MENTOR registration: https://forms.gle/MYrF468Q1xYPm8GL8
MENTEE application: https://forms.gle/dEYCZQqjF3gDvHV59

Contact

For sponsorship, volunteer opportunity, mentor application, or any other questions/comments, please contact bcd@cabsweb.org