A new chapter is underway at Genesys Works Bay Area as we expand opportunities for students to explore careers in one of the Bay Area’s most innovative industries.
The Bay Area is home to a thriving life sciences ecosystem, with opportunities spanning research, biotechnology, healthcare, data, operations, and technology. Yet for many young people from under-resourced communities, careers in STEM can feel distant or inaccessible. Limited exposure to STEM careers and a lack of professional networks can make it difficult for students to envision themselves working in these fields, let alone find a pathway into them.
Nationally, only 9.1% of low-income students earn a STEM degree, highlighting the significant gap between the talent that exists in our communities and the opportunities available to young people to explore and pursue STEM careers.
At Genesys Works Bay Area, we believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. That is why we launched our Life Sciences Workforce Pathway, an initiative designed to connect students from under-resourced communities with meaningful workplace experiences and introduce them to the possibilities of careers in life sciences. Now, that vision is becoming a reality!
Through paid internships, students gain more than a line on their resumes. They have the opportunity to step into professional environments, work alongside industry professionals, develop technical and workplace skills, and begin building the confidence and networks they need to pursue their long-term goals.
This year, GWBA is proud to celebrate the launch of partnerships with Cytokinetics and Tenaya Therapeutics, creating new opportunities for our Young Professionals to experience the life sciences industry firsthand.
At Cytokinetics, Elshadaye Walle and Naeli Solis Bravo have begun roles in lab work and research operations, giving them an opportunity to experience the science and innovation behind the life sciences industry while developing skills that can carry forward into college and future careers.
Their placements demonstrate the range of opportunities available within life sciences. A career in the industry is not limited to one type of role or one educational path. Students can find opportunities across laboratory research, research operations, business operations, technology, data, and many other areas.
We are especially grateful to their supervisors, Weixin Kuang, Rajaa Sukhun, and Zahrah Mogri, for welcoming our students and supporting their professional growth.
At Tenaya Therapeutics, we welcomed Giorgia, and are incredibly grateful to supervisors Joanna Auch and Kaela Murph for investing in her development and helping create a meaningful workplace experience.
The launch of the Life Sciences Workforce Pathway represents an important step in GWBA’s broader commitment to expanding access to career opportunities for young people from under-resourced communities.
By connecting students with employers early in their careers, we can help address two challenges at once: giving students greater access to STEM opportunities while helping companies cultivate the next generation of talent.
These Young Professionals are among the first students to participate in this new chapter, but they will not be the last. As the Life Sciences Workforce Pathway grows, we look forward to creating even more opportunities for students to explore STEM, build professional networks, and pursue careers in an industry that is shaping the future of health and innovation.
We are incredibly grateful to Tenaya Therapeutics, Cytokinetics, and all of the professionals who are investing their time, expertise, and resources in our students.
The pathway is just getting started, and we cannot wait to see where our students go next!
