Aishwarya Arjunan, MS, MPH, CGC ; Carrie Haverty, MS, CGC
In the past few months there have been a series of layoffs at genomics companies like Myriad, Progenity, and others who may not get as much press coverage. Each of these involve dozens of genetic counselors in various roles and impact our community. At all points in our career, we need opportunity, community, and connection. The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) is there no matter where you’re at in your professional journey to provide valuable support and resources.
As more genetic counselors move into roles with commercial laboratories and other “industry” partners, a larger percentage of our community will experience involuntary job changes - layoffs (euphemistically referred to as “reductions in force” or “RIFs”), restructuring, furloughs, pay cuts, new job responsibilities, relocations, etc. These are usually “at-will” employment positions and there are no guarantees as to duration, compensation, or job duties. While these can happen to anyone, compared to hospitals or universities, those in industry have a higher chance to have an employer go bankrupt, get sold, change strategy, relocate, and drop or create business units.
Involuntary Job Change
Both of us experienced involuntary job changes in the past year and can attest to how humbling, shocking, and scary the experience can be. We both felt vulnerable and uncertain about our short-term and long-term professional futures.
Carrie: I was working in a small biotech startup that was in the middle of a round of fundraising when the pandemic hit. We hadn’t yet launched our commercial product and needed to stretch our finances to weather the storm. I took a 25% pay cut and on top of that got a partial furlough down to two days per week, with no guarantee it would ever change. But I stuck it out during the furlough and stayed with the startup based on the potential it would have in the future with a successful Beta launch. The furlough ended up lasting four months and it was seven months before pay was restored and financing secured.
Aishwarya: I was at a large publicly-traded genomics laboratory when, in an effort to cut costs and streamline spending, the company had several RIFs, sold off business units, and restructured much of the organization. This led to the elimination of the team that I was a part of and my position. I was offered a completely different role within a different department or the option of a severance package. I viewed this as an opportunity to make a change and explore new companies, roles and specialties. And this led to my starting a new job in the oncology space which is a brand new area for me to consider and learn more about.
Leveraging NSGC Resources
We are NSGC members and volunteers and took advantage of NSGC resources and the connections we made through the organization in different ways.
Carrie: When I unexpectedly had time off I re-engaged with the mentorship program and was connected with a 2nd year graduate student with whom I now have an on-going mentoring relationship. She invited me to her university’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) seminar series, giving me more opportunity to learn and engage on issues around DEIJ while earning CEUs. In addition to the NSGC Job Connection, NSGConnect is also a great resource for anyone who is looking for a new job or considering a change in area of work. I also reached out to fellow GCs via NSGCommunities and got the opportunity to work with volunteers from across the organization to create the Genetic Counselor SARS-CoV-2 Impact Study Working Group which evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on genetic counselors, both personally and professionally. We authored a Journal of Genetic Counseling manuscript and I expanded my network.
Aishwarya: For me, the people that I have met over the years via NSGC in different avenues really helped me as I figured out what was next. I reached out and spoke to a number of different colleagues about making a switch to a new speciality, revamping my resume, working with me as I prepared for my interviews, reviewed my presentations, sent me articles about new developments in oncology etc. These were all folks that I had met either volunteering on the NSGC Board, an NSGC Committee, or at an NSGC Annual Conference. I also went through the Cancer Special Interest Group (SIG) discussion board to see what people were talking about. All of this helped me find a new role a little over a month after I was laid off.
Stronger Together
For those of you who have experienced involuntary job change or loss, you are not alone. And even if you have survived a RIF, you might be feeling some survivor guilt. So whether you have been directly impacted by job loss or you are trying to support those who have, reach out. Many of us have been there and understand. Take advantage of the time to think about your professional goals and what resources you need to achieve those goals. And regardless of your level of job security and satisfaction, explore the resources NSGC offers as part of your membership - experienced mentorship, free education and CEUs, multiple networking opportunities, job postings, and chances to build skills (and CVs) by writing, presentating, and leading. These resources are around in good times and bad, and remind us of the strength and support we can provide one another in this evolving and resourceful community.
Aishwarya Arjunan, MS, MPH, CGC is a genetic counselor passionate about integrating clinical priorities at every level of product development, striving to amplify the genetic counselor voice in medical care at large. She is also currently a Director at Large within the NSGC Board of Directors.
Carrie Haverty, MS, CGC is a product leader continuing to build new ways to improve genomics services with startups despite (or, more likely, because of) the inherent risk. She is the Vice Chair of the NSGC Membership Committee.