Networking event at Durham Tech offers opportunity to make connections, get career advice

Nancy Wykle
Mar 05, 2025

Durham Tech Connects: A Life Sciences Networking event, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, offers students and alumni from Life Sciences, Biological Sciences, Clinical Trials, Building, Engineering and Skilled Trades programs such as Industrial Systems and Information Technology, opportunities to make connections and get career advice from industry professionals. 

Novo Nordisk, the event sponsor, was joined by representatives from several companies in the region who wanted to share their experience and expertise. This is the second networking event Novo Nordisk has sponsored in collaboration with Durham Tech. 

As participants rotated through stations, they had time to ask questions about various careers, get advice on how to enter the field and share information about themselves.  

Durham Tech alumni Madelyn Spencer and Michael Grant were the featured speakers who gave snapshots about their academic training and careers. 

“I’m sure we’re all here for different reasons,” said Grant, a quality control technician at Novo Nordisk. "But one that is likely a commonality among all of us is a desire to start or add on to a meaningful career, improve the lives of others and afford you all the lifestyle that you want.” 

Companies in attendance: 

  • Novo Nordisk 

  • Astrazeneca 

  • AskBio 

  • FujiFilm 

  • Burt’s Bees/Clorox Company 

  • The HBCU STEMulus team (non-profit) 

  • Actalent 

  • Spherion Staffing 

  • IQVIA Biotec 

  • KBI Biopharma 

  • Merck 

  • Randstad Enterprises 

  • NC Biotech Center 

Event Summary: 

  • 132 in attendance  

  • 37 Durham Tech students and alumni  

  • 25 from other colleges  

  • 55 Industry professionals (including Novo Nordisk, Astrazeneca, AskBio, FujiFilm, Burt’s Bees/Clorox Company, The HBCU STEMulus team)  

  • 15 community partners and community college faculty/staff (Durham Tech, Alamance, Wake, Pitt, NC Biotech Center, NC BioNetwork, etc.)