Career Advice For BioTech Students And Younger Professionals From A Nepali Professional
With over a decade of experience in biotech, Sujan Lama has seen it all—from scrappy startup labs to scaling new technologies in fast-paced environments. He’s worked under great leaders and not-so-great ones. He’s tried, failed, and grown.
We sat down with Sujan to ask:
If you could give just a couple pieces of advice to students and young professionals, what would they be?
His answers were eye-opening, practical, and deeply honest.
1. Ask Better Questions in Interviews
Sujan’s #1 piece of advice?
“Ask questions. And not just the usual ones like ‘What’s the culture like?’ or ‘What’s your vacation policy?’”
Instead, ask smart, specific questions, especially if you're interviewing at a startup:
How much funding have you raised (Series A, B, etc.)?
What’s your runway? What milestones are you working toward?
How do you support employee development—can I attend conferences or industry events?
“I don’t always have time to read every paper or trend. Conferences are how I stay sharp—and I bring that knowledge back into the company.”
Great employees ask questions. Exceptional ones ask the right ones.
2. Focus on Horizontal Growth Early On
Another golden nugget of wisdom?
“When you're early in your career, focus on horizontal growth.”
What does that mean?
It means saying yes to wearing multiple hats, even if you don’t become a master right away.
That’s why Sujan chose startups:
“In a startup, I worked on totally different techniques month to month. I wasn’t just repeating the same task—I was learning fast, failing, and adapting.”
This kind of broad exposure gives you a strong base. Later in your career, you can pivot into “needle growth”—that is, going deep in one specific niche.
But early on? Cast your net wide.
3. Startups vs. Big Pharma: What to Know
Many young professionals dream of jumping straight into big companies.
But Sujan offers this counterpoint:
“At large pharma companies, you’re often in one department doing the same task every day. At a startup, you’re part of the hustle. You get to build.”
Startups might not be as stable or glamorous—but the learning curve is 10x steeper. And for someone in their first 5–10 years, that’s often exactly what you need.
Final Takeaways from Sujan Lama
If you’re just getting started, here’s what Sujan wants you to remember:
Ask bold questions in interviews. Don’t be passive—do your homework.
Start with horizontal growth. Try different roles, build range, and learn fast.
Choose learning over titles. Early experience matters more than prestige.
Think ahead. The future of work is flexible. Skills like coding offer leverage.
Whether you're heading into biotech, startups, or something totally different—learn broadly, think long-term, and don’t be afraid to question the path you're on.