South San Francisco, CA   April 26, 2016 

Fortune Magazine  recently named Genentech #11 in the country as one of the best workplaces for giving back to the community, to which we can easily attest. Our students are offered advantages to help them learn and to realize the biotech industry is a reachable goal for them thereby helping them focus on realizing long term goals.

‘Approximately 340 of the biotech company’s employees spend an hour each week mentoring students from South San Francisco elementary schools. Adrienne Melton, senior planning and execution manager, has participated in the program since joining Genentech in 2011; she spent three of those years mentoring the same student. Serving for a sustained stretch of time, says Melton, has enabled her to see “the lasting impact of my volunteer work.” – FORTUNE

 

In addition, through Genentech‘s generous philanthropy programs they have gifted $252,700,000 with employees matching company funds at an average of $202 per employee, resulting in $2,776,916. for this past year. Add that to the generous salaries and benefits that include a 6 week sabbatical, onsite childcare, excellent 401K program, and cash incentives to use alternative transportation – on top of  a whole host of other amazing benefits not known to most companies.

Today NERDWALLET released their report showing South San Francisco as rating #6 in the Country as the Best Places for STEM Graduates.

‘College graduates entering science, technology, engineering and math fields in 2016 will find a robust job market and the potential for handsome paychecks.

According to the most recent data, the unemployment rate for STEM workers was 2.3% in June 2015, which compares with the 5.3% jobless rate nationwide among all industries in the same period, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS estimates growth in STEM jobs will top 9 million over the decade from 2012 to 2022.

STEM employees are sought after and often earn more than workers in other industries. The average STEM salary was $85,570 in 2014, compared with $47,230 for all occupations, according to the BLS.

To identify the best places for STEM graduates, NerdWallet analyzed the nation’s 330 largest metro areas. We examined the most recent federal data available from the BLS on salaries, concentration of STEM jobs and unemployment rate, as well as U.S. Census Bureau data on the cost of median monthly rent in each location.’

 

It was interesting that they did not mention Genentech or our other leading Biotech companies yet they did report career opportunities between San Francisco and Redwood City:

This metro area stretches from San Francisco at the northern tip of the peninsula down to South San Francisco and Redwood City. Between the companies in those cities and those farther south and east in Silicon Valley, recent grads have access to employers like Google, Twitter, Yelp and more. The average STEM employee living in this area earned $107,722 in 2015. That average salary is second only to nearby San Jose. STEM employees in the San Francisco area command high wages, but like their peers in the valley, they also face a high cost of living when it comes to housing.

To learn more about the methodology used and other interesting facts from NERDWALLET CLICK HERE

SOUTH CITY RESIDENT DISCUSSES CAREER AT GENENTECH

Recently South San Francisco resident Nicole Pieretti-Rael wrote an inspiring essay describing her career journey after making a big change from working directly with patients as a dental hygienist to her current position as a Manager Associate at Genentech. (To read Nicole’s full essay CLICK HERE)

Nicole Pieretti-Rael made a career change and finds Genentech the perfect fit

‘Everyday I wake up, I am thankful for my job and the company I work for. I may not be a scientist, or work directly with the patients, but every aspect of every one’s job here has an impact on the medications we develop. We are a company with huge dreams and aspirations. We push the boundaries, collaborate with our colleagues and give back to our community. We are “doing now what patients need next.” I am very fortunate to grow up, live, work and volunteer in such a wonderful City.

There’s only 1 real answer I give when I am asked this question: Why do you work for Genentech? My answer: “Why wouldn’t YOU.”

-Nicole Pieretti-Rael

PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BIOTECH WORKERS

Preparing our students for careers in the Biotechnology field continues to be a combined effort among local officials, politicians, and our schools.

In 2014 the 1st Annual Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Summit was held and with the 2nd Annual Summit taking place just last month. Within this short time the SSFUSD introduced an enhanced biotechnology curriculum that currently serves 25 students with other 100 students having applied for the biotechnology program. “Each of the students noted that before being exposed to the biotechnology industry they had little or no interest in science as a career, but now were inspired to do so” the recent summit revealed. Vice Mayor Gupta stated “I hope one day, it will be twenty five hundred people in the program, not just 25,”. He continues his pledge to work with the schools to expand the program.

For more on what Genentech offers our students CLICK HERE

Tomorrow NatureJobs Career Expo in SF More INFO HERE

A list of local Biotech Companies including their business website links is available CLICK HERE

If you are interested working with Genentech here is some information regarding their hiring protocol offered by GREAT PLACES TO WORK and to apply directly with Genentech CLICK HERE

What key characteristics tell you a prospective employee will be a great fit for your company?

We are always curious to know how a candidate’s career interests fit with Genentech’s mission. Being able to speak authentically about what attracts you to the company and mission is key to pursuing any role across the business. We also look for candidates who are collaborative and have excellent communication skills, as both competencies will help them navigate the culture successfully.

What can prospective employees do to get your attention?

A genuine interest in the mission of Genentech is critical, and knowledge about the company and our history can help in an interview. When applying online, be sure your resume is customized to the role you’re applying for so it stands out among the many we receive. Genentech currently receives approximately 250,000 applications annually.

Are there any unusual or especially rigorous steps of your hiring process that candidates should be aware of?

Interviews at Genentech are primarily composed of competency-based questions with the intention of eliciting answers from candidates that are grounded in their previous experience or how they might react to a particular situation. Our interview process can be rigorous, as we often expect a candidate to interview with many stakeholders to build a complete picture of a candidate. Technical candidates should not be surprised to receive technical questions in an interview setting.

Are there any positions or types of candidates you are particularly focused on hiring in this coming year?

As in previous years, we continue to hire across our business for scientists, engineers, physicians, clinical specialists, regulatory and quality experts as well as individuals with operations and manufacturing experience. Sales and marketing professionals with neuroscience backgrounds are a particular focus for us this year and next, and we are hiring within our corporate functions as well, which include Corporate Relations, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Information Technology, Procurement and Site Services. We also hire approximately 400 interns and co-ops each year.

What should interested candidates do to find out more and get started?

In addition to applying at careers.gene.com, candidates should consider their networks and connect with Genentech employees for advice and potential referrals. Approximately 35 percent of our new hires in 2014 were from employee referrals. Many of our recruiters are on LinkedIn, so it’s worth connecting with them online to discuss the role you’re interested in pursuing. Candidates should also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter to get a sense for our culture and what it’s like to work at Genentech. Greater familiarity with the company will help in the interview process.

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Everything South City would like to take this opportunity to thanks South San Francisco resident Jaime Gonzalez for his continued share of articles that relate to our business & educational communities.