Career Forge Certification

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Career Forge is a micro-credentialing program that identifies competencies, provides targeted training, and evaluates performance for college students pursuing degrees and careers in the sciences.​   

By partnering with higher education institutions, Career Forge students are trained and assessed on the technical and workplace competency skills needed to work in any company with active science work, from an early-stage biotech startup to a large multinational pharmaceutical organization. 

Certification Tracks 

Intern Ready Certification

40 hours of training and assessment to prepare students for general biotech internships.

Target Students: Undergraduate Juniors (Fall Semester) 

Key Training Modules: 

  • Good Documentation Practices & Laboratory Mathematics
  • Foundational Science & Basic Laboratory Methods
  • Aseptic Technique & Sample Handling
  • Nucleic Acid Purification
  • Consumer & Patient Engagement
  • Workplace Competencies: Resume, Interviewing, & Networking 
Person using pipette in scientific lab

Research Associate Ready Certification

Beginning in 2026!

140 hours of training and assessment to prepare students for full-time employment in Research & Development and Consumer & Patient Engagement. 

Target Students: Undergraduate Juniors (Spring Semester), Seniors (Fall/Spring Semester) 

Key Training Modules: 

  • Mammalian Cell Culture
  • Principles of Microscopy
  • HPLC: Principles of Chromatography
  • Protein Purification & Analysis
  • Data Analysis
  • Effective Scientific Research Writing

NOTE: The Intern Ready Certificate is a prerequisite. 

Person looking into microscope in scientific lab

Process Development Associate Certification

Beginning in 2027!

170 hours of training and assessment to prepare students for full-time employment in Research & Development, Process Development, and Manufacturing. 

Key Training Modules: 

  • Introduction to Bioprocessing & Instrumentation
  • Regulatory Compliance & Inspection
  • Cell & Gene Editing

NOTE: The Intern Ready Certificate and Research Associate Ready Certificate are prerequisites. 

Person working under a fume hood in a scientific lab

Certification Module Touchpoints

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Alumni Technical Confidence 

A bar graph depicting the knowledge growth and increased confidence program participants showed in their technical abilities.

Alumni Workplace Competency Confidence 

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Get Involved with Career Forge

LabCentral Ignite connects Black, Latinx, first-generation college, high school graduates, transitioning adults, and associates and bachelor’s degree holders to meaningful career opportunities.

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Program Team

 

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