Highlights at a glance
How ScieCon Bochum 2025 supported career entry
The supporting program at ScieCon Bochum, which took place on October 16, 2025, at the RuhrCongress Bochum, offered visitors a comprehensive range of services related to applications, career entry and careers in the life sciences.
The focus was on personal exchanges with company representatives. Professional career counseling, individual CV checks and an application photo shoot helped visitors optimize their application documents and prepare themselves optimally for their entry into professional life. In addition, visitors were treated to exciting company presentations in which selected exhibitors introduced themselves in detail and provided insights into various job profiles, entry opportunities and areas of work. The program was complemented by special highlights such as a panel discussion and a live job interview.
This page provides an overview of all the program items at ScieCon Bochum 2025.
Application photo shoots with Ravi Sejk
A particularly popular highlight of ScieCon Bochum 2025 was the application photo shoot in collaboration with Ravi Sejk. Numerous visitors took advantage of the opportunity to have a high-quality portrait photo taken for their application documents or LinkedIn® profile – an essential component for making a convincing first impression in professional life.
Visitors can look forward to this special service at future events as well – a valuable opportunity to present themselves professionally and be well prepared to take the next step in their career.
Keep an eye on our channels to stay informed about the dates of future ScieCons!
CV checks with A.S.I.
A compelling CV is often the key to securing an interview – and thus to starting a career. That is why the CV check offered by A.S.I. was also one of the most popular services at ScieCon Bochum 2025.
Numerous visitors took advantage of the opportunity to have their application documents professionally reviewed by consultants during a personal consultation. In one-on-one meetings, participants received individual feedback on the content, structure and language of their CVs. The A.S.I. consultants provided specific tips for optimization and showed how CVs can be formulated in a clear, meaningful way that is appropriate for the desired position or industry – especially with regard to positions in the life sciences sector.
For anyone who was unable to secure an appointment on the day of the fair or who has further questions about their CV afterwards, A.S.I. also offers free CV checks beyond the event. Scan the QR code to easily secure an appointment online and further develop your CV together with professionals.
Company presentations
The company presentations at ScieCon Bochum 2025 offered visitors a comprehensive overview of the diverse career and development opportunities within the life sciences industry.
Whether gaining insights into the work of a global healthcare leader such as Sanofi, exploring perspectives within a research-driven pharmaceutical company like Boehringer Ingelheim, or learning about career paths in plant breeding at KWS – the presentations impressively demonstrated how diverse and individual career development opportunities in the life sciences can be. In addition to traditional career paths, the field of clinical research was presented as a practical and long-term stable career option, offering particularly attractive prospects for early-career professionals. Veeva Systems also provided authentic insights into entry-level roles in consulting and cloud-based solutions for the life sciences industry, highlighting how technological innovation shapes everyday work. The program was rounded off by a presentation illustrating how certificate-based continuing education can be strategically used to successfully transition from academia into professional life.
Overall, the lecture program offered practical information, guidance and valuable inspiration for anyone looking to start or further their career in the life sciences industry.
Career counseling with Roland Wagenhäuser, the RUB Career Service, and Birte Leiner
For anyone who was about to graduate or planning their next career move, the personal career counseling at ScieCon Bochum offered valuable guidance. In one-on-one meetings, experienced career coaches Roland Wagenhäuser and Birte Leiner, as well as experts from the Career Service at Ruhr University Bochum, helped participants clarify their professional goals, identify suitable career fields in the life sciences and plan concrete next steps. The program item offered many participants new perspectives for their entry into the life sciences industry.
Panel discussion with 3con, BIO.NRW, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Sanofi
In a panel discussion, representatives from 3con, BIO.NRW, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Sanofi addressed the topic: “Must-haves & No-gos – What do companies really look for?”. The focus was on the following key questions:
- How have application documents evolved over time? Which elements used to be considered standard or even desirable, but are now seen as untypical or potentially problematic (e.g. application photos, listing hobbies)?
- Which application “no-gos” still lead to immediate rejection today? Are such strict criteria – for example regarding gaps in a CV – still justified, or is a shift in mindset needed?
- How important are prior experiences such as student jobs, internships, or completed vocational training in the selection process?
- How important are soft skills in the application process compared to technical or professional qualifications? What role do international experience or language skills play?
- How has the relevance of voluntary or extracurricular engagement on a CV changed over the years? How important is it for employers today, and what does it reveal about applicants?
- How decisive is the motivation letter in the application process? Which common clichés, generic phrases, or mistakes should applicants definitely avoid?
- What allows applicants to stand out positively from the crowd today?
The discussion offered honest insights from different perspectives and enabled visitors to take away concrete tips for their own career paths.
Live job interview with MedNet
Experience a job interview up close – that’s exactly what this special program item at ScieCon Bochum 2025 offered.
Andrine Frank took to the stage to answer questions from a representative of the company MedNet – based on a real application submitted in advance. The company representative conducted an authentic job interview, asked typical questions and then provided detailed, constructive feedback. For the audience, this program item offered a unique insight into the process and dynamics of job interviews. They were also able to take away valuable tips and strategies to better prepare for their own application process and approach it with confidence.
Workshops
The workshops offered participants practical orientation and valuable insights to support informed and strategic career planning in the life sciences.
The workshop “Boost your LinkedIn®” demonstrated how to create a professional LinkedIn® profile and leverage it effectively throughout the application process. Complementing this, a presentation by VBIO on current career prospects in the life sciences provided a comprehensive overview of the job market and offered practical guidance for systematic career preparation. In addition, the workshop “Science Meets Startup” by Start4Chem introduced entrepreneurship as an alternative career pathway, highlighting how scientific ideas can be transformed into viable entrepreneurial ventures. The program concluded with the workshop “Food for Thought: Pathways in Academia”, organized by the Zukunftsforum Biotechnologie of DECHEMA e.V., which explored pursuing a PhD as a potential next career step and outlined subsequent career opportunities in both academia and industry.