Get ready to transform your STEM career

Article about our Gurukool Mentorship Program in Cell Press

Click here to apply for Gurukool’s Summer 2024 Cohort

About our Executive Coach

Tracy Costello

Mission: Empowering individual career transitions through training, coaching, mentoring and networking 

Each cohort, Spring, Summer, and Fall, engage in an 11 week training series that includes a networking session with mentors and peers, 6 lectures covering topics including planning career transitions, creating impactful resumes, and preparing for interviews plus 3 rotating topics (see list below), and 4 career panels on career paths of interest to the cohort. 


Titles of Lectures 

  • Networking with Gurukool Mentors (included for every cohort)

  • Strategy for Career Transition (included for every cohort) 

  • Resume Preparation (included for every cohort)

  • Interview Preparation (included for every cohort) 

  • Career Exploration and Job Search in 10 Steps

  • Self-Assessment: understanding your skills and interests that drive career choices

  • Researching Career Options 

  • Academic Job Search

  • Informational Interviews

  • Networking 101

  • Presenting your best self when connecting to others

  • Identifying Skill Gaps and Resources to Skill Up

  • Creating LinkedIn Profiles

  • Connecting with Recruiters How to Dissect a Job Ad

  • Communicating Transferable Skills

  • Cover Letters

  • Creating Presentations for Interviews 

  • Negotiation 

  • Time Management

  • Goal Setting 

  • Navigating Conflict and Difficult Conversations

  • Ask me Anything 

Additional Topics 

  • Navigating career opportunities when you’re on a VISA

  • Interview Prep and Practice

  • How to handle a career break

  • Overcoming impostor syndrome and perfection – rewriting the inner critic 

Annual Networking Event 

Organized in Europe and US on a yearly basis to facilitate networking in-person and build professional relationships with Gurukool mentors. 

All meetings are strategically organized at hubs of Biotech and Pharma, which bring together expert STEM professionals from local industry partners and academia.

Land your dream job in STEM

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Build a better STEM career

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Love what you do

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Find fulfillment in work

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Land your dream job in STEM · Build a better STEM career · Love what you do · Find fulfillment in work ·

Our services

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

    Career Strategy

    Let's dive deep into your aspirations and craft a personalized plan to turn your career goals into reality.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and half circle lines.

    Resume optimization

    Let's polish that resume until it shines, showcasing your unique talents and accomplishments.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and circle lines.

    Skill building

    Stay ahead of the curve. Boost your technical skills and stay at the top of your game.

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    Mid-Career Growth Planning

    Ready to level up? We'll equip you with the tools and strategies to stand out, get noticed, and climb that career ladder.

Our Process-

The S.M.A.R.T. Approach

  • Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Resourceful and Tactful Approach.

  • SMART & Sustainable Network of Peer-Sourced Mentorship

Our Outcome-

STATs & Career Diversity

Gurukool is now an 8-year old platform with 700+ members. Members who’ve already transitioned hold position in companies like Cell press, Bayer, Merck, Pfizer, Cowen Equity Research, Sanofi, Genentech, J&J, Bluebird Bio, Lilly, Abbvie, Takeda etc.

Additionally, the job profiles represented by the group is diverse- Business Development, Consulting, Scientific Writing and Communications, Industrial R&D to name a few.

The program is an inclusive and diverse space for all to access and has seen tremendous success in terms of career transition for STEM professionals with PhDs and advanced degrees.

  • "STEMPeers provides not just one but a battery of helping hands, eager enough to guide me during the turbulent phase of career transition. It's a dynamic group of professionals who are your cheerleaders and available to answer queries. I wouldn't have been able to brush up my professional goals and keep doing so without this community. STEMPeers is, to me, is what Yoda is to Luke Skywalker: a powerful and wise mentor."

    Gaurav (Scientist at a Bay Area-based Biotech Company)

  • "The Gurukool network and my work developing Club SciWri gave me the skills and eventually guided my transition as a scientific editor. Multiple gurus and peers shaped my perspectives along the way and gave a deep dive into the publishing industry. The hierarchy-free community nurtured my diverse, yet unique, interests and allowed me to shape my career goals learning from other's experiences."

    Rituparna (Scientific Editor at Cell Press)

  • "Gurukool mentors stood like a rock in supporting my transition process. To describe their philosophical roles, they donned four hats: (1) Master Crafters: they helped me identify, realize, and hone my strengths, (2) Champions of My Cause: they always had my back, (3) the Air Crew: they were my peers who were committed to supporting, collaborating, and holding each other accountable, and (4) the Mainstays: someone who could give me a psychological lift during challenging times, especially handling rejection. They were no longer mentors, they became my friendtors."

    Abhi (NYC-based Investment Banking Professional)

  • "I started mentoring for Gurukool while I was a postdoc at Merck and was transitioning to a full-time position. I was happy to share my experiences, and I tried to help my peers understand how an industrial postdoc position works. Seeing the cumulative progress was rewarding, but what I enjoyed the most was the power of sharing stories that can inspire more people to lean on, learn, and lead. I've learned as much, if not more, in mentoring people. Gurukool has grown my network immensely, and I've found some brightest mentors for myself within this group."

    Deepa (San Diego-based Scientist at a Pharma company)

  • "Tracy is an awesome coach and an excellent mentor. Every time I listen to her seminars or talk with her, I always feel a sense of calmness and the I-can-do-it feel. She taught me so many tips to ace every part of the interview process that I haven't found anywhere. The biggest takeaway for me from her seminars was to treat an interview more like an interaction and that took a huge weight off of my shoulders. I have been applying her strategies/tips not just during interviews but also in other parts of my life.”

    Shiva (Senior Scientist at a Publicly-traded Biotech Company in Boston)

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Time to take the first step towards your STEM Career dreams.