Bridges to College Program

Biotechnology Pathway Information Session

Welcome & Introductions

Share your name with the group. Where are you from?

Why are you interested in the Bridges to College program’s Biotechnology Pathway?

Student Testimonial

“I firmly believe that Bridges to College is the best program to help people be successful.”

-Yamileth

JVS’s Bridges to College program offers a FREE 23-week Biotechnology path, including FREE science, math, and career/academic readiness classes to accepted students. Expectations in this pathway are at a higher academic level and are designed to prepare students to successfully transition into a 9-month (23 credit) Biotechnology and Compliance Certificate Program at Quincy College.

Biotechnology Pathway

Once at Quincy College, students of the Biotechnology and Compliance Certificate Program will receive hands-on laboratory experience on state- of-the-art single-use equipment identical to industry equipment.

Biotechnology Pathway

Student Eligibility Requirements

Must have a high school diploma/High School Equivalency Assessment

Must be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent U.S. residency or a green card (asylum or refugee status also accepted)

Must have a good math foundation

Must be at least 18 years old or older

Must plan on starting the Biotechnology & Compliance Certificate program directly after successfully completing the Bridges to College program

Candidates with a Criminal Offenders Record Information (CORI) are advised that the biotechnology industry is not a CORI friendly industry. Candidates who possess a CORI will be asked some additional questions if invited for an interview.

Must not be in default on a prior student loan

1. To help you place into college-level courses.2. To help you improve your math and science

skills.3. To help you transition into a college-level

Biotechnology and Compliance Certificate program.

4. To help you become a successful college student.

5. To help you with job search support.

Goals of the program

Classes for the Bridges to College program meet:

Evening Classes (Biotechnology)◦ Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

from4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Coaching Group Class meets once a week ◦ 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Tuesdays or 3 PM – 4 PM

Thursdays

Individual Coaching Appointments◦ Each student will meet with his or her Academic

Coach for a 30-45 minute individual meeting approximately every three weeks.

Students should expect to have about 5-6 hours of homework per week, including work assigned in class by instructors and self-study computer software.

Tutoring schedule will also be available (or required) once the program starts.

JVS Class Schedule Days and Times

Bridges to College is FREE for students, but costs our sponsors $9,000 per student.

MINIMUM Attendance Requirements

90% Attendance for classes, workshops, events and individual appointments.

90% On time to all classes!

90% Completion of all Assigned Homework (including self-study).

Student Commitment

Being a Bridges to College Biotechnology student is a BIG commitment! You MUST have your work schedule, child care, and family responsibilities in order so you can come to class every day for the 23-week program!

*Failure to provide these original documents may delay your acceptance.

These documents are used for college admissions and financial aid applications.

Required Documents 2 Forms of MA Residency

(MA license; MA ID; Utilities Bill; Renting Lease or Housing Document)

A Proof of US Residency (Birth Certificate; US Passport; Green Card; Resident Visa)

High School Diploma, High School Equivalency Assessment (ORIGINAL COPY)

Must be translated in English (resources will be provided at the time of your interview)

1 Proof of Income 2013 W2 Tax Forms for all family members (spouse, parent or

guardian) 2013 Tax Returns Pay stub for current employment Proof of child support also accepted Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) or welfare letter also

accepted

Resume (If available) College Transcript (If available)

We have helped 300 people enroll into

college!

If you successfully complete the JVS

program, you

will have:

◦ Improved math and science skills

necessary to successfully enter the

Biotechnology & Compliance Certificate

program!

◦ FREE tutoring and academic/career

coaching.

◦ Social, community building, networking

and educational events.

◦ Money towards tuition and textbooks.

◦ Job search support in your final semester

of college.

Advantages of Joining the Bridges to College Program’s

Biotechnology Pathway

Our Bridges to College Biotechnology Coach works tirelessly to give students step-by-step personalized help with:

College Admissions Process Class Registration and

Scheduling Financial Aid and Paying for

College Diploma and Transcript

Translations Industry-specific Job Readiness

and Application Skills

Academic Coaching

“They took the fear out of going to college.”

“The coaching is literally the ‘bridge’ part of Bridges to College.”

Coaching at Bridges to College according to Current Students

“Our coach is critical to our future success. I wish I had this kind of coaching earlier on in life.”

Social, Community Building, Networking and Educational Events

• Orientation • FREE Tutoring• Quincy College Campus Tour• Tour of Quincy College’s Biotechnology Training Laboratory • Guest Speakers• Biotechnology Industry Panel• Cultural Sharing• Visit from JVS President & CEO• Program Graduation Reception • Special Alumni Events & Workshops

• Resume Workshop• Alumni Reunion • LinkedIn Workshop

Massachusetts is projected to grow 393 new jobs in bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing over the next three years. (Massachusetts Life Sciences Industry Entry Level Employment Demand Report, 2013).

Average entry level starting salary in the biotechnology/bio-manufacturing field is between $38,000 - $45,000 per year.

There are over 700 companies in Massachusetts that specialize in Biotechnology manufacturing.

There are over 400 Biotechnology companies in the Greater Boston area that are accessible by public transportation.

“The biopharma industry has far outpaced the Massachusetts economy as a whole in terms of job growth.” MassBio, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, “Biotechnology Industry Snapshot, 2010.”

Biotechnology Industry Facts

Students will gain about 350 hours of hands-on lab experience in the bio-manufacturing of medicine with single-use technology.

The certificate program takes only 9 months to complete.

Historically the college-level certificate program classes are 2-4 days a week, Monday – Thursday starting after 5:30 pm. There may be some Saturday afternoon classes to ensure students receive enough lab training. Class days and times may vary pending on the college’s academic calendar.

Students will earn 23 college-level credits after successfully completing the certificate program. Credits can be applied to an associates degree at the college.

Students will learn the skills required to prepare chemical buffers and cell culture media for use in the biomanufacturing industry.

Student will obtain an in depth understanding of protein purification.

Students will discover the role of Quality Assurance in the day-to-day operations of the manufacturing facility.

Students will learn the process of writing and following standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Quincy College’s Biotechnology & Compliance

Certificate Program Facts

Partnerships & Biotechnology Job Titles

Targeted Biotechnology Job Titles

•Process Development Associate•Validation Specialist•Manufacturing Technician – Upstream•Instrumentation/Calibration Technician•Chemistry QC Technician•Microbiology QC Technician•And more…

The college has developed partnerships with key biotechnology industry leaders such as Shire and Millennium in an effort to ensure that program graduates make a successful transition into the workforce after completing Quincy College’s Biotechnology and Compliance Certificate Program.

Biotechnology PathwayStudent Testimonials

“I will never forget the family we

created with our coaches

and entire JVS staff.”

  

~ Freyel Odvil ~

“The program gave me a great knowledge about

the USA, from learning how to get financial aid to knowing how to write a cover

letter.” 

~ Amare Woldetensan ~

Describe how you will make the Bridges to College program’s Biotechnology Pathway a priority in your life?

What changes would you need to make to be successful in the program and in college?

How will your life improve when you successfully complete college?

Things to Think About

Today: 20-minute writing sample Complete the written Math and Science

assessment test. Learn if you are qualified for an interview.

Future: Complete the application and homework

at home. Return to JVS for your interview with

Cindy the Biotechnology Pathway Coach and bring your complete application, homework and ALL REQUIRED documents.

3-4 weeks after your interview, you will learn your acceptance status.

Next Steps

Questions & Reminders

REMINDERSPlease arrive 15 minutes early for the interview. Interviews will be about 1 hour long.

Bring your completed application and all required documents to the interview. Bring a printed copy of your completed homework.

Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/bridgestocollege

QUESTIONSIf you have any additional questions please feel free to ask them now. You can also contact:

• Cindy Firestein, cfirestein@jvs-boston.org and 617-399-3228• Joyce Lin, jlin@jvs-boston.org and 617-399-3305