The McDonnell International Scholars Academy is dedicated to facilitating opportunities for Scholars to engage with global industry leaders to enhance their professional development and advance their careers. Among these opportunities is the Bayer University Mentoring Program (B4U), an innovative initiative launched by Bayer Crop Science in 2018. The program pairs graduate students and postdoc mentees with experienced Bayer scientists for a year-long, one-on-one mentoring experience that focuses on honing soft skills and professional development.
In February 2024, the McDonnell Academy, along with more than 20 McDonnell Scholars, had the opportunity to network with experts across multiple sectors during the Bayer Crop Science St. Louis corporate showcase. Bayer, a long-time supporter and sponsor of the McDonnell Academy, provided Scholars with firsthand knowledge of its unique B4U Program and its impact on healthcare and agriculture. Among these Scholars, Somtochukwu Okafor, biomedical engineering PhD student, Ghiska Ramahdita, mechanical engineering PhD student, and Judith Sokei, cancer biology PhD student, were selected to participate in the program. Nearly a year later, each shared their experiences and insights from the program. Their reflections reveal how the B4U program fosters professional growth, career transition support, and meaningful connections.
Being part of the Bayer University Mentoring Program (B4U) 2024 cohort has given me the privilege of connecting with diverse mentors who are genuinely passionate about our success.
Judith Sokei
Tailored Career Development
The B4U program offers personalized mentoring that helps Scholars effectively bridge the gap between academia and industry. Somto particularly appreciated this individualized support, stating, “The Bayer University Mentoring Program has been incredibly valuable in supporting my career development. Through monthly meetings with my mentor, I receive tailored guidance on navigating the transition from academia to industry.” She highlighted the focus on essential professional skills, such as resume optimization, job search strategies, and interview preparation.
Networking Opportunities
One of the standout benefits of the B4U program is the networking opportunities it provides. Judith underscored the value of these interactions, saying, “Being part of the Bayer University Mentoring Program (B4U) 2024 cohort has given me the privilege of connecting with diverse mentors who are genuinely passionate about our success.” She found inspiration in hearing from senior Bayer leaders about their varied career paths and the site tour further enriched her experience. Somto also noted the importance of networking: “B4U’s in-person events provide invaluable networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with fellow mentees and mentors from across the U.S., Canada, and China.”
Insightful Panel Discussions and Career Exploration
The Bayer University Mentoring Program event featured enlightening panel discussions that provided insights into career progression within the industry. Ghiska reflected on the value of these sessions, saying, “The day kicked off with engaging talks from Ty Vaughn, senior vice president and head of plant biotechnology at Bayer Crop Science, and a panel discussion on transitioning to an industry role.” These sessions equipped Scholars with a deeper understanding of the nuances in career paths, which Ghiska found particularly beneficial: “The two panel sessions I had during the day were both inspiring and insightful.”
Encouragement and Support from Mentors
Across their experiences, the Scholars emphasized the support and encouragement from their mentors. Judith extended gratitude to her mentors for their guidance. “Special thanks to my mentor Jeremy Haag, and to the Senior VP and Head, Plant Biotechnology Ty Vaughn for encouraging us to embrace a ‘squiggly’ career path, as that usually provides the possibility of achieving great impact,” she expressed. Ghiska also recognized the openness of Bayer scientists in sharing their career journeys and the impactful support from her mentor, Lei Qin: “I am grateful for the openness of Bayer scientists in sharing their career journeys.”
The opportunities we’ve been given through the McDonnell Academy and the B4U program are truly incredible.
Judith Sokei
A Bright Professional Future
The program not only provides development and networking but also tangible career opportunities. Ghiska’s experience is a testament to this, as she announced an exciting new opportunity to join the Bayer Plant Transformation Discovery Team. ” I look forward to integrating my knowledge in mechanobiology with Bayer’s cutting-edge advancements,” shared Ghiska.
The collective experiences of Somto, Ghiska, and Judith in the B4U mentoring program highlight the significant impact of the program on their professional development. The tailored mentorship, networking opportunities, and career guidance have empowered them to navigate their career paths confidently and effectively. As Judith aptly summed up, “The opportunities we’ve been given through the McDonnell Academy and the B4U program are truly incredible.”
The Scholars left the Bayer Crop Sciences Campus with a renewed sense of purpose and direction, ready to embark on successful and impactful careers.