Scalable Comprehensive Workforce Readiness Initiatives
Mentorship Program
BioMADE’s 12-week mentorship program will introduce students to the field of bioindustrial manufacturing, help prepare them for potential careers, give them opportunities to learn from those in the field, and more. Participating as a mentor or a mentee will be a rewarding way to inspire and attract diverse talent into the growing bioindustrial manufacturing field.
There will be three programs during the 2024-25 academic year:
Fall 2024: Sept. 4 - Nov. 26
Winter 2025: Jan. 15 - Apr. 8
Spring 2025: Apr. 3 - June 26
For Mentees
Join BioMADE’s mentorship program to meet and learn from professionals in the field. Through the program, you will:
Learn about careers in bioindustrial manufacturing
Expand your professional network
Improve your resume-writing and interview skills
Receive guidance from a professional in the field
Learn more about yourself and your future goals
The mentorship program welcomes learners from Northern California with diverse levels of science knowledge, including undergraduates with limited science backgrounds, as well as recent graduates and those holding associate/bachelor’s degrees in both science and non-science disciplines.
Requirements
Interest in learning about bioindustrial manufacturing careers
Full- or part-time student in a community college or university or a recent graduate
Commitment to engage and actively participate in the program’s professional development activities
Time commitment
The participants are required to commit to:
Minimum of 6 hours of online/in-person mentor-mentee meetings over the 12-week duration of the program. The exact times of the meetings will be determined by both parties.
Attendance and active participation in the 1-2 hour virtual professional development activities, scheduled on six Wednesdays (winter program) or Thursdays (spring program) at 3:00-5:00 pm PT on Zoom.
Program Schedule for Winter 2025 | Spring 2025
Orientation meeting: 1/15/25 | 4/3/25
Introduction to biomanufacturing: 1/23/25 | 4/10/25
LinkedIn workshop: 2/12/25 | 4/24/25
Networking with the professionals 2/26/25 | 5/8/25
Resume review and mock interviews: 3/19/25 | 5/29/25
Final meeting: 4/2/25 | 6/26/25
For more information consider attending the Mentorship Program Information session on Thursday, Nov 21, 2024, 3:00-4:00 pm PT on Zoom. Register here.
Apply
We are now accepting applications for the winter and spring 2025 programs. Apply here.
Winter 2025 program applications will be accepted until Dec. 20, 2024.
Spring 2025 program applications will be accepted until March 21, 2025.
Please contact BioMADE mentoring specialist, Golnar Afshar, at gafshar@biomade.org with any questions.
For Mentors & Volunteers
Help mentor students, build awareness about bioindustrial manufacturing, and make a positive impact!
We are seeking mentors and/or volunteers in Northern California for online career development activities for three cohorts of students in the 2024/2025 academic year. Mentors and volunteers must be from a BioMADE member organization.
Ways to Participate
Mentoring
One-hour orientation meeting (online)
Minimum of 6 hours of meetings with your student mentee (online/in-person) over the 12-week duration of the program. The exact times of the meetings will be determined by both parties.
Occasional email communications with the program coordinator
Completing 2-3 evaluation surveys
Networking Event
During this two-hour online event, volunteers meet with small groups of students in Zoom breakout rooms for 15-20 minutes, before moving to another room to meet a new group of students. No preparation is required. Please see the schedule below.
Resume Review and Mock Interviews
Volunteers review student resumes ahead of time and meet with the students for a mock interview and provide feedback. Each volunteer will meet with 1-3 students. Please see the schedule below.
Guest Speaker
Speak about your area of expertise in bioindustrial manufacturing science or careers for 30-60 minutes. Dates will be determined based on the volunteer’s availability.
Mini Career Fair
Represent your organization to attract talent. The career fair will be in spring 2025. The exact date will be determined later.
Field Trips
Provide an opportunity for a group of 8-16 students to visit your biomanufacturing facility or research lab, either in-person or on a virtual tour. Volunteers will be contacted for details.
Requirements
Employee of a BioMADE member organization
Experience in bioindustrial manufacturing fields
Professionals and researchers in industry and research institutions in various roles and levels
Commitment to engage and foster an environment of diversity and inclusion
Why participate?
Opportunity to guide and inspire students of varying backgrounds and the future workforce in bioindustrial manufacturing
Meet and recruit potential talent for your organization
Build leadership skills
The time you spend participating in this program may be reported as part of the in-kind annual membership dues for your organization
Schedule
Mentoring (minimum 6 hours plus 1-hour orientation)
Fall 2024: Application closed
Winter 2025: 1/15/25 - 4/8/25
Spring 2025: 4/3/25 - 6/25/26
Virtual networking
Fall 2024: Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 3:00 - 5:00 PT
Winter 2025: Wednesday, Feb. 26 | 3:00 - 5:00 PT
Spring 2025: Thursday, May 8 | 3:00 - 5:00 PT
Virtual resume review and mock interviews
Fall 2024: Wednesday, Nov. 13 | 3:00 - 5:00 PT
Winter 2025: Wednesday, Mar. 19 | 3:00 - 5:00 PT
Spring 2025: Thursday, May 29 | 3:00 - 5:00 PT
Apply
Applications will remain open throughout the 2024/2025 programs. You may apply for one or more volunteer opportunities. Please submit your applications at least three weeks before the start of the event.
Click here to apply to volunteer.
For more information about the mentorship program and volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Golnar Afshar, Mentoring Specialist, at gafshar@biomade.org.