BGSO was created by biomedical graduate students to represent and address the unique needs of all biomedical graduate students
at Case Western Reserve University. In discussions with students, we have identified many important issues affecting student quality
of life and educational training. Another concern among students is that information is not always adequately communicated to students.
BGSO will work with students and administrators to improve awareness about issues via the BGSO website, newsletter, student survival
guide, and, if needed, relevant seminars.
Biomedical graduate students would also like to see a greater emphasis on career and professional development during their
training at this university. Traditionally, graduate students could anticipate a career in academia upon completion of graduate
and post-doctoral training. Graduate training as it is currently conducted is predicated upon this career goal. However, due in
part to the abundance of well-trained graduates and the dearth of available academic positions, newly minted PhDs must seek careers
outside of academia that often require broader technical and professional skills. As an example, many jobs in biotechnology require
clinical research experience that graduate students do not acquire during their training.
Many students are unaware of how to prepare for careers in or outside of academia. There are occasional career seminars
that address these issues, but we students feel that more can be done. BGSO will work with students and the administration to
promote career and professional development via the BGSO website and newsletter, career seminars, and perhaps also an annual
career fair and symposium.
