Goals
- Learn strategies for preparing a strong elevator pitch and brief bio.
- Discover best practices for delivering an effective elevator pitch and brief bio.
- Gain confidence in delivering your elevator pitch.
An elevator pitch is a 60-second introduction to who you are and what you do. It serves as an important sound bite that every scientific and medical professional should have prepared when opportunities arise. A well-honed elevator pitch will empower you to introduce yourself and make connections with confidence.
This workshop combines a highly-curated curriculum of resources which include principles, best practices, and strategies with practice time for participants to deliver an elevator pitch and brief bio. Accepted participants will receive practical guidance and feedback from a scientific communication coach and their peers.
Meet the coach
Shelby Doyle, PhD, has more than 10 years of experience at the intersection of STEM education and innovation. She is a communication coach and consultant at Founder to Leader, working with innovation-sector clients who are ready to make an impact. Recently, she led the Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), managing a portfolio of basic research projects, investigator-led clinical trials, and STEM education programs in microbiome research. Doyle earned her PhD in biological engineering from MIT under Angela Koehler at the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. There, she led interdisciplinary teams that developed chemical tools for modulating transcription, resulting in multiple papers and patents, and contributed heavily to the external communications and fundraising efforts needed to support this research. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills as a science communicator through years of coaching scientists in effective communication with the MIT Communication Lab, as well as through her own praxis as a scientist, research executive, and science advocate.
Time commitment
Complete pre-work (approximately 30-45 minutes), which includes viewing an introductory video, preparing an elevator pitch and brief bio, and exploring resources our Writing and Communication Center.
Participate in a one-hour workshop (via Zoom) in which you will: deliver an elevator pitch and brief bio, and receive and share feedback with their peers and a coach.
We will ask for your availability across the options below. If accepted, you will attend a live coaching session via Zoom on one of these 10 days.
- August 20, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00pm EST
- August 20, 2024 | 3:00 – 4:00pm EST
- August 21, 2024 | 9:30 – 10:30am EST
- August 21, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:00pm EST
- August 23, 2024 | 1:00 – 2:00pm EST
- August 23, 2024 | 2:30 – 3:30pm EST
- August 27, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00pm EST
- August 27, 2024 | 3:00 – 4:00pm EST
- August 28, 2024 | 10:00 – 11:00am EST
- August 28, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00pm EST
Sessions will be held via Zoom. Persons with disabilities who wish to request accommodations or who have questions about access, please contact WritingCenter@Catalyst.Harvard.edu in advance of the session.
Eligibility
This workshop is open only to Harvard-affiliated schools and institutions. Availability is limited. Eligible applicants are accepted on a first come, first served basis.
We believe that the research community is strengthened by understanding how a number of factors including gender identity, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, culture, religion, national origin, language, disability, and age shape the environment in which we live and work, affect each of our personal identities, and impacts all areas of human health.
Fee
This workshop is free for participants from Harvard-affiliated schools and institutions.
Apply
The application process is currently closed, please check back for future opportunities.
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