Biotech Summer Program to Master of Business and Science Graduates Launch Industry Careers

Graduates of Keck Graduate Institute (KGI)’s Master of Business and Science (MBS) class of 2022 recently received their diplomas, with more than half already securing positions in the biotech industry.

Of the 47 MBS graduates, 19 began their journeys in KGI’s Careers Beyond the Bench (CBB) biotech summer program. CBB provides skills and professional development opportunities for students interested in careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or other biomedical product industries.

For the second year in a row, consulting is the most popular job placement for MBS and CBB graduates, with students gaining positions at companies such as Syneos Health, Bain & Associates, and Eversana. Other graduates have gained employment in various roles at companies such as Amgen, Catalent, and Edwards Lifesciences.

“After attending CBB, many of our students go on to complete the MBS degree, which opens a wide range of career opportunities in the biomedical sector,” said Dr. Joel West, professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at KGI and MBS program director. “KGI provides these students with an edge to pursue science-based careers beyond the bench in this sector.”

Justin Mathew, MBS ’22, received his bachelor’s in Biology from Boston University before enrolling in CBB. The outgoing KGI Student Government President, Mathew will begin working in the Open Innovation arm of Kyowa Kirin.

“The CBB program was the perfect gateway to understanding what I could do with a life science background outside of academia,” said Mathew.

“CBB prepares you effectively with a foundation to communicate both business and science, which is a great need in the biopharma, MedTech, and healthcare industries.”

After attending UCLA for an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience, Kevin Zhang, MBS ’22, shared that CBB gave him a comprehensive taste of what the MSB program had to offer, introducing him to a variety of caring and knowledgeable faculty, hearing about the careers from numerous industry professionals, and working on a unique commercialization project in a group setting. Zhang will be joining Bain & Company as an Associate Consultant in Boston, MA.

“I learned more about working on a large project with a definitive deadline, tackling broader questions into realistic parts, and collaborating to present high-quality work with a quick turnaround time,” said Zhang.” The analytical and interpersonal skills I gained from CBB have prepared me for my consulting career. The MBS program has instilled an invaluable sense of confidence in myself, and KGI has given me a lifelong network of supportive peers.”

Gabriela Estupiñán, MBS ’22, graduated from Santa Clara University in 2020 with a BS in Biochemistry. Following her acceptance at KGI, she decided to attend the CBB summer program, which gave her a strong understanding of what I could expect from KGI during the MBS program. Estupiñán will be working for Catalent Pharma Solutions as a Global Organization Leadership Development Associate.

“I had always been interested in working on the business side of biotech, and I wanted to gain a more well-rounded exposure, and both the CBB and MBS programs offered that,” Estupiñán said. “Through the CBB and MBS programs, I gained a strong foundation to succeed in biotech, whether it be regulatory affairs, operations, supply chain, etc. The class topics allowed me to be well-rounded, while the class dynamics, especially the projects, prepared me for teamwork, communication, and leadership.”

This year’s CBB program includes two tracks: one online (June 13-24) and one in-person (June 27-July 15). Students will gain expertise in bioscience business, meet a wide range of industry career speakers, and participate in a team-based bioscience research project.

Applications are still being accepted. Learn more at kgi.edu/cbb.