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Career Catalyst | Curiosity: A Career Advantage
Curiosity: A Career Advantage
Careers don’t stall from lack of talent — they stall when curiosity fades.
Every career is shaped by curiosity—the questions you ask, the problems you lean into, and the spark that keeps you learning. In this session, Paris McKenzie draws from her experience in biomanufacturing and as an entrepreneur to explore how curiosity fuels growth, confidence, and opportunity across any career path.
Paris will share how curiosity became a strategic advantage in her own journey—from navigating complex manufacturing systems to building and scaling businesses—offering lessons that apply to professionals at every stage of their career.
You’ll walk away with:
A new lens on curiosity as a career skill, not a personality trait, but a practice you can intentionally build
Ways to turn questions into momentum, even when you’re early-career, changing paths, or feeling boxed in
Strategies for navigating uncertainty and transitions without waiting for permission or the “perfect” next step
Practical insights on staying adaptable and visible in technical environments and evolving industries
Renewed confidence in non-linear career paths — and how to make them work for you, not against you
Who Should Attend
This session is for life sciences professionals at any stage of their career who want to:
Lean into curiosity as a career strategy
Expand opportunities beyond their current role or track
Build confidence navigating transitions, complex projects, or non-linear career paths
About the Expert
Paris McKenzie
Paris is a multidisciplinary leader whose work bridges beauty, biotechnology, and fabrication with uncommon depth and resolve. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Jamaican parents, she relocated to Maryland alone at 17 to pursue college after graduating high school early. She currently serves as a Biotechnology Support Technician and Manufacturing Technician II at Longeviti Neuro Solutions, where she supports medical device manufacturing and cross-functional technical workflows, translating complex systems into precise, real-world outcomes.
Before entering the medical device industry, Paris built and scaled businesses in the beauty sector, earning national recognition for her work and vision. Her story and impact have been featured by Teen Vogue, People Magazine, The New York Post, Fox Business, and more. Rather than abandoning that world, she carried its lessons forward, demonstrating that creativity and scientific rigor are not contradictions, but complementary forms of discipline.
Her academic journey reflects the same refusal to quit. After mental health struggles early in college, resulting in a 0.38 GPA, Paris rebuilt her footing and ultimately earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Health and Human Sciences on time, completing an accelerated 43 credits in a single semester. Now rooted in biomanufacturing, she is committed to widening access to pathways she once had to discover alone. Through leadership, mentorship, and education, Paris works to ensure others, especially young people, know that industries like biomanufacturing exist, and that they never have to shrink themselves to fit one box to belong.
About the Program
Career Catalyst
Career Catalyst is BioBuzz’s flagship weekly virtual series connecting life sciences professionals with experts and actionable insights. The program runs every Tuesday @ 12 PM EST for approximately 45 minutes:
20-minute expert presentation
25-minute live, open Q&A
Sessions rotate through four thematic tracks with new experts each week, ensuring content stays relevant for life sciences professionals at every career stage. Each track is community-led and hosted by our Career Community Ambassadors.
Tracks include:
➡️ Career Navigation — Networking, skill-building, and strategies to advance your career across all life sciences disciplines. Hosted by Crystal Richards, Principal & Owner, MindsparQ.
➡️ Focus: Emerging — Deep dives on trends, innovations, and opportunities shaping the life sciences ecosystem and their relevance to your professional growth. Hosted by Jake Rodriguez, Marketing Director, Triangle Biotech Tuesday.
➡️ Biomanufacturing — Insights into the backbone of biotech success, shaping the industry and your career. Hosted by Paris McKenzie, Manufacturing Technician, Longeviti Neuro Solutions.
➡️ CQV & Validation — Insights into compliance, quality systems, and operational standards that underpin high-performing life sciences organizations and support your professional growth. Hosted by Kayla Britt, Founder & Principal Consultant, Britt Biocomputing.
Sponsors
Bio-Trac
With over 30 years of expertise, Bio-Trac® workshops have trained more than 17,000 scientists and engaged 300 scientist instructors. Designed by active researchers and open to the scientific community, these workshops equip bench and research scientists with the latest lab techniques and provide training on cutting-edge biotechnology advancements to a global audience across all biotech sectors.
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 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.
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 may 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.