08:00 – 09:00

Breakfast, Optica HQ

Programming

Eberly Hall

09:00 – 09:15

Welcome Remarks

Mitchell Harjo

Outreach Specialist, Optica, USA

Tom Hausken

Senior Industry Advisor, Optica, USA

09:15 – 10:45

Sustainable Networking for Scientists and Engineers

Sustainability applied to networking is about treating professional support and assistance like a resource and creating more of it than you take. This workshop introduces how to use sustainable networking to create mutually beneficial professional relationships and to set and accomplish career goals. Through individual and group activities, participants will come away with personalized goals and a practical action plan for how to incorporate sustainable networking into their professional lives.

10:45 – 11:15

Break

11:15 – 12:15

Where are the Jobs?: Finding a Role in a Company

Uncover the many roles and growth prospects for scientists and engineers in the corporate sector. Learn about positions suitable for early-career professionals, ranging from R&D and sales to marketing, product management, and engineering. This session will help you navigate the corporate landscape while learning how MKS is structured.

12:15 - 14:15

Lunch, Optica HQ

12:45 - 14:15

Resume Review & Optimization: Stand Out in the Job Market Small Conference Room

Based off sign-up sheet in What to Know Before You Go Email. Must bring a printed-out copy of your Resume/CV.

14:15 – 15:15

Negotiation Skills

We will discuss a balanced approach to negotiation so you can feel confident navigating the workplace, from initial salary discussions to everyday workplace conversations.

15:15 – 16:15

Innovation and Product Development

Understanding "value proposition" may seem simple, but continual focus on this empathetic idea is essential to successful research and products alike. From fundamental research through customer deployment, join in this exploration of how to identify pain points, enablers, and disruptors, as well as how to position each to generate market pull.

16:15 - 16:45

Break

16:45 – 17:45

Cultivating High-Performing Teams and Dynamic Group Collaboration

Strategic leadership involves guiding a team with a clear vision, making informed decisions that align with long-term goals, and fostering an environment where innovation and collaboration can thrive. Building cohesive teams and ensuring positive group dynamics is essential for the organization's success. Effective leaders help each team member understand their role, feel valued, and feel empowered to contribute to the shared vision. This approach drives performance, builds resilience, and creates adaptive teams ready to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.

17:45 – 18:00

Daily Wrap-Up and Announcements

17:45 – 19:30

Dinner, Optica HQ

18:00 – 21:00

Group Activity

08:00 - 09:00

Breakfast, Optica HQ

Programming

Eberly Hall

09:00 - 09:15

Introduction of the Day

Tom Hausken

Senior Industry Advisor, Optica, USA

09:15 – 10:15

The Role of the Sales Professional

Every company relies on sales to survive. Each of us plays a part in the sales process regardless of our titles and responsibilities. Like every discipline, success in sales depends on a combination of behaviors, attitudes, and techniques. In this session, learn what technical sales fundamentally is, what a day in the life of a salesperson looks like, what behaviors, attitudes, and techniques set apart exceptionally successful salespeople, and how to best support the sales efforts of your company no matter your role.

10:15 – 11:15

What is Corporate Strategy and Why is it Important?

Explore the essence of corporate strategy and its pivotal role in business success. Discover how technology companies formulate and implement their tech development strategies and gain insights into the diverse range of job opportunities and sought-after skills within this dynamic field.

11:15 – 11:45

Break

11:45 – 12:45

The Language of Business: Managerial Reporting and Accounting for Decision Making Part #1

The art of accounting. We will discuss budgeting, explore the art of accounting, visit the stock market and dive into why this is something all scientists in industry should understand.

12:45 – 14:15

Lunch, Optica HQ

14:15 – 15:15

The Language of Business: Managerial Reporting and Accounting for Decision Making Part #2

More fun with accounting!

15:15 – 16:15

Patents and Intellectual Property 101

Technology companies and institutions at all stages face a variety of intellectual property issues. Addressing these issues well can significantly increase value for the intellectual property owner, while missteps can have the opposite result. We will introduce important forms of intellectual property, including patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, and discuss the role each plays in an intellectual property portfolio.

16:15 – 16:45

Break

16:45 – 17:45

The Entrepreneur’s Experience: Thriving in the Startup Ecosystem

"The Entrepreneur’s Experience: Thriving in the Startup Ecosystem" explores the unique challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs in the fast-paced startup world. This talk delves into the key strategies for navigating uncertainty, building a strong network, and fostering innovation to achieve sustainable growth. Learn how to turn ideas into successful ventures while thriving in the dynamic startup environment.

17:45 – 18:00

Daily Wrap-Up and Announcements

17:45 – 19:30

Dinner, Optica HQ

08:00 – 09:00

Breakfast, Optica HQ

Programming

Eberly Hall

09:00 – 09:15

Introduction of the Day and Membership Opportunities 

Tom Hausken

Senior Industry Advisor, Optica, USA

Albert Williams 

Deputy Senior Director of Membership, Optica 

09:15 – 10:15

Project Management for Engineering, R&D and Technology Teams

Discover what it really means to be a Project management for Engineering, R&D and Technology Teams. Learn how to apply fundamental Project Management tools to any project in a practical way. Understand how you can leverage your technical know-how into a career in project management and beyond. Learn about key concepts like the triple constraints with fun examples.

10:15 – 11:15

The Role of the Product Manager

Dive into the multifaceted role of a Product Manager within the corporate structure. Explore the essential skills and attributes required, uncover exciting career prospects, and understand the pivotal role Product Managers play in driving innovation, collaborating with R&D, and bridging the gap between sales/marketing and customer needs.

11:15 – 11:45

Break

11:45 – 12:45

Marketing in Photonics

Marketing plays a critical role in the success of businesses. In high-tech industries, such as ours, marketing varies widely across companies and often, roles in marketing are opaque to job seekers. In this session, I hope to demystify what marketing is, how it relates to sales and R&D, and how the role of marketing fits within high-tech companies’ objectives. Upon the conclusion of this session, I hope you will have a better understanding of the marketing function in the high-tech industry, which will subsequently help you determine your future career direction.

12:45 – 14:15

Lunch, Optica HQ

14:15 – 15:15

Beyond Equations: The Roadmap to Business Success for STEM Professionals

Transitioning from an academic background to business management requires more than technical expertise—it demands a mastery of problem-solving, leadership, and communication. This session explores how STEM professionals can leverage their analytical mindset to excel in management roles while developing essential business skills.

Even for those STEM professionals who choose to remain within the academic environment, the ability to bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen is still essential for success in any career when they must navigate through grant proposals, funding opportunities, team management and cross-disciplinary collaborations.

15:15 – 16:15

Career Reflections: Insights for Early Career Success in Industry

16:15 – 16:45

Break

16:45 -17:45

State of the Optics and Photonics Market

17:45 – 18:00

Closing Remarks

Mitchell Harjo

Outreach Specialist, Optica, USA

17:45 – 20:00

Closing Reception, Optica HQ

08:00 – 11:00

Hotel Check-Out

The Royal Sonesta - Dupont Circle, Washington DC