From MIT to CEO: Rachel Sha on Big Pharma, Startups & Leading as a Woman in Biotech

Why Smart Women in STEM Stay Stuck - (How to overcome it)

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like everyone else belonged there more than you? In this episode, we talk about imposter syndrome, confidence, leadership, and the pressure many women feel while navigating STEM careers. From feeling small in executive meetings to questioning our own accomplishments, this is an honest conversation about learning to take up space in rooms we already deserve to be in. If you’ve ever doubted yourself in science, biotech, or leadership spaces, this episode is for you.

Why Grades Don't Matter: A Biotech CEO's Honest Career Advice

Ever felt like you're not smart enough for a career in science? This conversation is for you. In this episode of When In STEM, I sit down with Nicole Richards, CEO of a biotech startup working on solutions for mining, PFAS removal, and water treatment, for one of the most honest career conversations I've ever had. Nicole didn't follow a straight line. She "barely made it through" chemical engineering, took a job in the middle of nowhere as a 21-year-old, said yes to roles before she felt ready, and somehow ended up leading a biotech company. We talk about why grades genuinely don't matter, how to network when you're an introvert who hates it, why you should speak in the first 5 minutes of every meeting, and the one mindset shift that changed her entire career. If you've ever felt behind, unqualified, or like you don't have your career "figured out", please listen to this! ⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Intro02:14 Why she chose chemical engineering (the honest answer)04:34 "I barely made it through"07:55 Why grades don't matter09:15 Her first job in the middle of nowhere14:52 How to network when you hate networking21:57 The biggest misconception about what CEOs look for28:53 Saying yes before you feel ready40:29 The 5-minute rule for women in leadership45:15 Pushing back on workplace misconceptions47:32 Career Corner: listener questions 📱 Follow on Instagram: @labskillsacademy🎵 Follow on TikTok: @labskillsacademy For brand inquiries: labskills@viralnationtalent.com [labskills@viralnationtalent.com] 📌 New episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you subscribe and rate this podcast!

From MIT to CEO: Rachel Sha on Big Pharma, Startups & Leading as a Woman in Biotech

📌 Note: this episode was recorded when the company was still called Vaxess Technologies. It has since rebranded to Terrestrial Bio, Inc. (Terrestrial). What does it actually take to go from MIT chemistry to running your own biotech company?Rachel Sha is the CEO of Terrestrial Bio (formerly Vaxess Technologies). Before that, she spent over a decade at Sanofi and earned her MBA at Harvard. We sat down to go deep on the *actual* path , not the polished one. In this conversation:– why she pivoted from chemistry into business, and what an MBA actually does for a science career– how she stood out and rose at Sanofi (a 100,000-person company)– the politics of big pharma and the lessons that stuck– why she eventually left corporate to become a CEO– what nobody tells you about leading a startup in life sciences– leading as a woman in a still-male-dominated industry– the advice she'd give her younger self at MIT– plus listener questions on MBAs, early-career strategy, and pivoting If you're navigating the bridge between science and business or wondering what your next step looks like, this one's for you! 🎙️ Hosted by Marie Follow @wheninstem [https://www.instagram.com/wheninstem/] and @labskillsacademy [https://www.instagram.com/labskillsacademy/] on Instagram for more 📩 Brand inquiries: labskills@viralnationtalent.com

From English Major to Life Sciences Leader — How?!

Can you work in the life sciences with a BA in English? In this episode of When in STEM, I sit down with Rosie from Life Science Cares Boston to talk about her nontraditional path into the life sciences. From studying English to working at the intersection of biotech, nonprofit leadership, and social impact, Rosie’s journey challenges what we think a “STEM career” should look like. We talk about how she broke into the industry, what Life Science Cares actually does, and why your background might be more valuable than you think. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in STEM, this episode is for you.

Career Paths You Can Take With a Chemistry Degree

You got a chemistry degree… now what? Most people think it means staying in the lab forever, but that’s far from the truth. In this episode, I break down what a chemistry degree actually gives you and the different career paths you can take in biotech, from R&D and QC to project management, supply chain, regulatory, and even tech and business roles. We also talk about salary progression and how to pivot your career without starting over. If you’ve ever felt stuck in STEM, this episode is for you. Your degree is not your job, it’s your starting point.