Why did you choose to attend the Master in Drug Development and Product Management (DDPM)?
A few years ago, my husband and I started a Contract Research Organization but later realized that we needed more knowledge of the drug development industry, especially in entrepreneurship, to succeed. Since I already had 15 years of clinical research experience, we decided that I enroll in a master’s program with a comprehensive spectrum of courses in this area, and only the UCSD DDPM program fit the bill.
What skills and proficiencies did you gain from this program and how did it benefit your career?
This program helped me sharpen many skills, including presentation skills, decision-making and interpersonal skills. Due to the case study method that was used in some courses, I became better at analyzing and evaluating circumstances (as presented in the case studies) and making decisions based on limited information. Appreciating my team members’ diverse perspectives and coming to an agreement on what should be the team’s submission, presented me with a lesson in interpersonal relationships. The diversity of the class, in terms of age, work experience, sexual orientation, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds presented me with an opportunity to interact with and learn from people of different perspectives and increased my cultural awareness. As a budding entrepreneur, this experience is vital, and I am already utilizing it as I build relationships.
Can you describe networking experiences that were initiated by the program?
In addition to networking among classmates, one of the best aspects of the DDPM program was the numerous guest lecturers from various backgrounds. These included industry experts, CEOs, and seasoned entrepreneurs, among others. I was very pleased to find that many of them were open to networking and encouraged the class to seek their support as we build our careers. I connected with many of them via LinkedIn and I am actively building relationships with the entrepreneurs. So far, all are responsive and supportive. I look forward to learning a lot from them. This opportunity could easily surpass all that I gained from this course, in terms of benefit to my career.
What did you like best about the program?
What I liked best was that the lecturers were knowledgeable, accessible, and supportive.
Almost in equal measure, I liked the diversity of the class, especially in terms of cultural backgrounds and work experience. There were many so great things in this program that it is hard to pick one best.
If you could give an incoming DDPM student one piece of advice, what would it be?
“Clear your social calendar and devote your time to the program. It is comprehensive both in breadth and depth of courses, and hence it has the potential to be a life-altering experience. Do not forget to Network”