Industry Talks Life Sciences Careers with Students

August 8, 2019

On Wednesday, a half dozen Utah life sciences companies loaded up power points, videos and sample products—from syringes and catheters to stroke technology and knee replacements—to talk with parents and students about career opportunities, as part of an evening Medical Innovations Pathways (MIP) orientation at Granite School District.

Representatives from BD, Merit Medical, Nelson Labs, Polarity TE, Sintx, and Stryker made presentations about amazing career opportunities in med tech and laboratory testing available to high school students who complete the MIP program. Students and their parents learned how the program, now in its fourth year, links classroom learning to real-world industry experience. An evening favorite was Keyana Besendorfer, a 2018 MIP graduate, who is now working full time for Stryker. She told the crowd that the MIP experience has given her a head start on a great career with a bright future.

MIP graduates receive a Medical Innovations Certificate, usually at special ceremony at the State Capitol. The Certificate guarantees them job interviews with participating industry partners. In addition to the companies who presented at the event, these industry partners include Biomerics, BioFire, Fresenius, Edwards Lifesciences, and Teva Pharmaceuticals. MIP is growing, and, is now offered in the Canyons, Davis, Granite, Jordan and Tooele school districts.