The project, Career Pathway Partnerships: Training the Future Leaders of the Wisconsin Biomedical Workforce, led by Laura Knoll, PhD, will build the capacity and leadership of Wisconsin’s biomedical and health care workforce by preparing graduate students to lead the state’s expanding biotechnology and life sciences sectors.
Through the Interdisciplinary Biology and Health Sciences Consortium (IBHSC) Career Path Partnerships (CPP) Program, doctoral students will gain early exposure to biomedical industry careers, structured professional development and hands-on internships with Wisconsin-based companies. By integrating career exploration and industry engagement into PhD training, the program will equip students with the skills, experience and networks needed to transition confidently into the workforce. The project will also build on lasting partnerships between UW–Madison and Wisconsin biotech employers, creating sustainable pathways that retain top scientific talent in the state, support economic growth and prepare the next generation of biomedical innovators and health care leaders.
The Challenge
Many graduate training programs focus solely on programming and mentoring that prepare graduate students for academic careers. With the development of the Interdisciplinary Biology and Health Sciences Consortium (IBHSC) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, there is a unique opportunity to develop evidence-based innovative career and professional development that prepares graduate students for Wisconsin’s biomedical research workforce.
Project Goals
The Career Path Partnerships (CPP) Program is an integral part of the IBHSC programming for third-, fourth-, and fifth- year graduate students, and will:
Aim 1: Foster SMPH graduate student exploration of biomedical industry career opportunities local to Wisconsin.
Aim 2: Coordinate and sponsor graduate student internships in biomedical industry labs, creating clear career pathways for graduating SMPH PhDs.
CPP will also partner with Wisconsin biotech companies to provide internships and fellowships for IBHSC graduate students interested in those careers.
