Hot Metal Campus’ Professional Development Series Grows Community and Career Confidence
This fall, Hot Metal Campus has emerged as a growing hub for career development and community building, thanks to a new lineup of workshops and panels curated by Dr. Jennifer Luke. Designed for early-career researchers, graduate students, and Pittsburgh’s wider innovation community, the series has emphasized practical guidance, confidence-building, and real-world connection.
The season opened with “From Academia to Industry: A Professional Development Panel” in early October, which brought together five professionals who successfully transitioned from academic training into industry roles across communications, therapeutics, biotech, engineering, and bioinformatics. Panelists Kendy Pellegrene-Guarnoni (LifeSci Communications), Haley Janowitz and Maryl Lambros (Avista Therapeutics), Tell Lovelace (ThermoFisher), and Katelynn Montgomery (Noveome Biotherapeutics) shared honest insights about navigating the leap beyond university walls.
The discussion gave attendees a grounded, wide-angle look at what “industry” means today and how varied and nonlinear career journeys can be. “One of the biggest takeaways,” Dr. Luke reflected, “is that there is no single pathway for transitioning out of academia. There is no ‘one size fits all’ path for each degree and connections you make can open doors to careers you never would have known about.”
Building on that momentum, November introduced a hands-on two-part workshop series: “Networking: Making Connections That Count” with Dr. Justin Weinbaum from the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
The first session focused on foundational skills: how to introduce yourself, start conversations confidently, and turn brief interactions into meaningful professional connections. Attendees were encouraged to test their skills in real-world settings through a small “networking challenge” assignment before returning a week later.
In the second session, participants came back to reflect on what strategies worked, where they struggled, and how they could refine their approach. The interactive environment allowed for peer learning and personalized feedback, fostering a supportive space where networking began to feel less intimidating.
“Networking can feel overwhelming, putting ourselves in awkward situations is very daunting,” Dr. Luke said. “These sessions are about easing those fears and figuring out what is holding people back from getting out there. When people understand that networking doesn’t have to be all elevator pitches and stiffness, everything becomes easier.”
Across both events, the growing sense of community was unmistakable. Attendees stayed after sessions to talk with panelists, compare notes, and continue conversations sparked in the workshops. The networking group is actively attending events and supporting each other in getting out there.
With more programming planned for 2026, the series is solidifying its role as a practical professional development resource for Hot Metal Campus.