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Networking 101
This program is part of BioBuzz's Career Catalyst series, a weekly virtual program designed for students, recent grads, and early-career professionals navigating the life sciences industry. Our sessions are intentionally built to foster direct, high-quality access to the industry leaders shaping it.
Overview
70% of professionals say they got hired at a company where they already knew someone. Your network isn't a nice-to-have, it's a must.
Networking can feel awkward when it seems like you are supposed to walk into a room, introduce yourself to strangers, and somehow turn that into a job opportunity.
That is not what good networking looks like.
Real networking is about building genuine relationships over time. It is getting to know people, staying connected, showing up for your professional community, and creating relationships before you ever need a job, referral, introduction, or favor.
In this session, we’ll break down what networking actually looks like in practice. We’ll talk about how to introduce yourself, start conversations without feeling forced, follow up after meeting someone, and stay connected in a way that feels natural instead of transactional.
We’ll also introduce you to some of the organizations, community leaders, and professional groups helping shape the life sciences ecosystem around you. You’ll learn where people in the industry are actually meeting, volunteering, learning, and building relationships, so you have a place to start putting these skills into practice.
You do not need to know everyone in the room. You just need to start building real relationships with the right people, one conversation at a time.
Key Takeaways
Learn what authentic networking actually looks like and how to build relationships without feeling transactional.
Get more comfortable starting conversations, following up, and staying connected after the first introduction.
Understand why networking works best before you need something, so relationships have time to grow naturally.
Discover organizations and communities where life sciences professionals actually connect, learn, volunteer, and support one another.
Leave with practical ways to start growing your network now, even if networking has never felt natural to you.
Agenda
6:00 PM - Welcome & Introductions
6:05 PM - Presentations
6:30 PM - Live Open Q&A + Career Connections
Ask questions, engage with the speaker(s) and host, and connect the conversation back to your own career journey in life sciences.
Why Attend?
Careers are built on connections.
The people you meet today can become tomorrow's mentor, hiring manager, collaborator, or your biggest advocate. That's why every Career Catalyst session is designed to help you expand your knowledge and your network.
Every Career Catalyst session, you'll have the opportunity to meet and connect with our expert guest directly, BioBuzz's team, and your peers. Don't miss this opportunity to build the relationships that will help you shape what's next.
Join us every Wednesday @ 6 PM ET.
SUBSCRIBE to our Career Catalyst calendar for the full schedule of events.
About the Speakers
About the Speaker:
Tita Tavares is the Head of Strategic Marketing & Communications at PDA Global, bringing a background that spans business development, operations, recruiting, communications, and life sciences community engagement.
Her involvement with PDA extends well beyond her current role: she previously served as President of the PDA Capital Area Chapter and Co-Chair of the PDA Global Chapter Council, helping connect chapter leaders and strengthen engagement across the organization.
Tita also serves on Keck Graduate Institute’s Bioscience Industry Advisory Board, where she supports connections between academia and the bioscience industry, including mentorship, experiential learning, and career development opportunities for students.
About PDA
The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) is a global nonprofit organization focused on connecting people, science, and regulation across the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Founded in 1946, PDA provides technical education, conferences, training, scientific resources, and professional communities that bring together industry professionals and regulators to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality, and patient safety. PDA also has a global network of local chapters that give members opportunities to learn, volunteer, build leadership skills, and connect with professionals in their regions.
About the Speaker
Savanah Shumaker is a chemist, educator, entrepreneur, and life sciences community leader with a passion for scientific outreach and communication. For nearly a decade, she worked as a research scientist across industry, government, and academia before transitioning into undergraduate education. She currently works as a chemist at the United States Naval Academy and serves as Chapter Vice Chair for Women In Bio Capital Region.
Outside of her primary role, Savanah is also Co-Founder of 8 Count Cosmetics and Chair of the Practical Applications of NMR in Industry Conference (PANIC). Her leadership and community engagement have also been recognized through honors including the Women In Bio Capital Region Rising Star Award and NIH/NCATS recognition for scientific community engagement.
About Women In Bio Capital Region
Women In Bio Capital Region is the Washington, D.C.-area chapter of Women In Bio, an organization committed to promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship for women in the life sciences. The chapter creates opportunities for professionals at all stages of their careers to connect through networking, mentorship, educational programming, leadership and volunteer opportunities, and community events. Women In Bio’s membership and events are inclusive of those who support its mission, making the organization a resource not only for established professionals but also for students and emerging life sciences leaders looking to build their networks and become more involved in the community.
About the Speaker
Raven Hawkins is the Chapter Manager for the ISPE Chesapeake Bay Area Chapter and a Business Development Manager at ECBuild. Her work focuses on building strategic partnerships, connecting professionals, and strengthening the life sciences and healthcare community across the region. She also serves on the AMFP Baltimore/DC Board, supporting networking, education, and industry engagement initiatives that bring diverse stakeholders together and advance innovative healthcare and life sciences environments..
About ISPE Chesapeake Bay Area
The ISPE Chesapeake Bay Area Chapter was established in 1994 to support the growing pharmaceutical and biotechnology community across the region. Today, the chapter provides education, technical programming, networking events, facility tours, volunteer opportunities, and professional development for both members and non-members. As part of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, the chapter connects local professionals and students to a global community spanning the pharmaceutical lifecycle while helping strengthen the regional workforce and life sciences ecosystem.
About the Host
Sneha Saggurthi
Workforce Engagement Lead, BioBuzz
Sneha Saggurthi is a life sciences professional, educator, and workforce engagement leader passionate about helping people build meaningful careers in biotechnology and beyond.
As Workforce Engagement Lead at BioBuzz, Sneha develops programs and partnerships that connect students, early-career professionals, educators, and employers across the life sciences ecosystem.
Sneha’s background spans quality compliance, GxP training, operational excellence, auditing, and professional development. She also serves as an adjunct biotechnology instructor and is actively involved in initiatives that create more accessible pathways into the industry.
Through Career Catalyst, Sneha brings together professionals, recruiters, advocates, and industry leaders to make life sciences careers feel more understandable and attainable. Her goal is to help participants gain practical tools, learn directly from people across the industry, and recognize how their unique experiences can contribute to improving patients’ lives.
Sponsors
TEDCO
TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland.
Workforce Genetics
Workforce Genetics (WGx) is a premier recruiting firm serving the life sciences, MedTech, and healthcare sectors, supporting companies from startup to commercial. The firm delivers transformative talent strategies through retained and executive search, contingent search, and outsourced talent acquisition.
Important Information
BioBuzz's Career Catalyst sessions are intended to provide insights, guidance, and support for students, recent grads, and early career professionals navigating their careers. These sessions are not a platform for selling services, recruitment pitches, or business solicitations. They are designed for job seekers and those looking to make connections and build community.
Please be respectful of fellow participants and help ensure this remains a valuable, trusted resource for all. By registering for this session, you agree to abide by BioBuzz's Code of Conduct.
Participants who engage in solicitation, promotional activity, or behavior that disrupts the intent of the session will be asked to leave. Repeated or serious violations will result in removal from the session and exclusion from future Career Catalyst events.
Want to be an expert guest?
If you're interested in sharing your knowledge with the BioBuzz community, get in touch via hello [@] biobuzz.io.