The CONNECT Program

CONNECT is a comprehensive program with the aim to link young women scientists with role models in industry and public sector, and foster their awareness of career planning. Participants attend 7 - 8 one-day workshops over the course of approximately 6 months, reflect on their career, interact with role models, and become part of a supportive and encouraging community.
Participation in the CONNECT program underlies a competitive selection. Each academic institution has a limited number of places, so that the number of participants per round is 35-40. Each institution is responsible for the selection of the sponsored participants.


Vision

The CONNECT program aims at connecting female STEM scientists with role models working in the industry or public administration. The program offers young researchers the opportunity to gain insight into non-academic career paths. At the same time, participating companies benefit from the direct exchange with highly qualified and motivated potential employees, and from the opportunity to position themselves as attractive employers that value diversity. By building bridges between young qualified females and companies, the CONNECT program contributes to bringing more women into highly qualified positions in Switzerland.


A recent SWR (Schweizer Wissenschaftsrat/Swiss Science Council) study highlights the need of programs like CONNECT


The program is held in English except for the workshop with DETEC (see more details below)

CONNECT participant (anonymous)
«The networking aspects both between the participants as well as between the role-models from the companies are excellent. Furthermore the general structure of first having a coaching session, then visiting the companies and finishing with all together is a nice and round concept.»

Program Agenda

The CONNECT workshops are taking place independently of each other over a time of approximately 6 months.

As soon as further dates and details for Round 6 are defined with the project partners, they will be updated here.

CV preparation

self-study 

Video Tutorial

Participants will get access to a video tutorial teaching them on how to create a CV for a non-academic application in Switzerland.

In addition, throughout the program they have the opportunity to book an individual career counselling session with the project leader of the program.

Kick off workshop

Date: September 25th or 30th, 2024 *

Locations: Zurich ZH and Bern BE

The kick off workshop is a highly interactive day to get to know each other, analyze your current career situation and define expectations towards the program, and learn about ways to communicate your skills and experience in your application documents and interviews.

*group of participants is split into 2 to allow more/deeper interactions. Participants spend 1 day in this workshop.

FHNW and Park Innovaare

Date: October 23rd, 2024

Location: Windisch & Villigen, AG

Participants will meet role models at FHNW, an example of a University of Applied Sciences (UAS). This offers the opportunity to dive into a world at the threshold between academia and industry.

In addition, participants will get to know some of the startups at Park Innovaare as employers.

Meet role models at DETEC*

Date: November 7th, 2024

Location: Ittigen, BE

Participants meet with role models (women and men with scientific background) and HR representatives to get an insight into what it is like working in STEM at DETEC. We’ll get to exchange on career opportunities as well as best practices in a welcoming atmosphere.

 *only applicable for participants speaking at least one of the national languages of Switzerland at a B2 level

Meet role models at Hilti

Date: December 6th, 2024

Location: Schaan, Fürstentum Liechtenstein

Participants meet with HR representatives and role models (women and men with scientific background) on site to exchange on career opportunities as well as best practices in a confidential and very personal atmosphere.


Meet role models at Siegfried

Date: January 14th, 2025

Location: Zofingen, AG

Participants meet with HR representatives and role models, to network and learn about career perspectives as well as best practices in an informal and personal atmosphere.

Logitech

Date: February 12th, 2025

Location: Lausanne, VD 

Logitech designs software-enabled hardware solutions that help businesses thrive and bring people together when working, creating, gaming and streaming. As the point of connection between people and the digital world, our mission is to extend human potential in work and play, in a way that is good for people and the planet. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). Find Logitech and its other brands, including Logitech G, at www.logitech.com or company blog .

Meet role models at Sefar

Date: March 7th, 2025

Location: Heiden, AR

Participants meet with HR representatives and role models, to network and learn about career perspectives as well as best practices in an informal and personal atmosphere.

Wrap up and conclusion

Date: March 24th, 2025

Location: Zurich, ZH

In the morning, participants have the opportunity to reflect on their learnings and take-aways, and exchange with one another. 

In the afternoon, participants share their learnings with representatives of the CONNECT steering committee, project partners, and other insterested parties. In addition, there will be two inspirational talks by our sponsors Bain & Company and Straumann Group about opportunities in consulting and the medical device sector.


What you can expect

Network

You will be able to network with peers facing the same career-related questions, with role models working in industry, the public sector, universities of applied sciences or startups, and alumnae of the CONNECT program. Take the opportunity to become part of a supportive network where you can ask all those questions you would not dare ask elsewhere, and encourage one another. 

Career boost

Are you curious to explore your options outside of academia and discuss with role models who have made the transition to industry, public administration, a university of applied sciences or a startup? Knowing what options you have,  how to get a specific position, and taking a conscious decision on your next step is a plus for your career - independently of where you pursue your career.

Behind-the-scenes view

Would you like to transition to a non-academic career, but it seems like a different world to you? Are you unsure what job titles to look for, how to communicate your skills in the application documents or during the interview, or would you like to know what happens to your application at the company? Join the CONNECT program to find out and feel more confident about future applications.


What you will not experience

Guaranteed job offer

CONNECT does not guarantee participants a job offer from participating companies. However, you have the opportunity to interact with HR representatives, and depending on a company's partner status, we will forward job advertisements and events, or participant CVs if participants agree. 

Interview/AC training

While we do provide insights into the interview process, CONNECT is not a training for job interviews or assessment centers. Our main advice for any interaction with a potential employer is that you are authentic, stay positive and show your ability and willingness to learn. 

Decision making

We trust that participants, once they have the necessary information and contacts, can take their own decisions regarding their professional future. We are happy to support, point towards relevant contacts or information, and help you reflect, but the decisions are up to the participants.