BUZZARDS BAY, MA– When Robert Coughlin’s son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis nearly 20 years ago, the Massachusetts State Representative knew that focusing on legislation that could save the life of his son, could also grow the life sciences industry in Massachusetts.
“In the last 10 to 15 years, Massachusetts has become the best place in the world for life sciences and drug discovery,” said Coughlin. Although no longer a state rep, Coughlin remains focused on this critical industry and ensuring the talent pipeline is strong.
In 2020, Massachusetts life sciences companies employed more than 89,000 individuals, up by 67 percent over the last decade. According to a recent study from Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, in the next five years, the industry is expected to generate more than 35,000 new jobs in the STEM fields, sales, production, management, business functions and real estate. While the industry is growing quickly, there aren’t enough employees to fill the jobs.
Two Massachusetts Maritime Academy alums are responding to this critical need. Coughlin (class of ‘91), now Managing Director at Jones Lang LaSalle in charge of the firm’s life sciences industry practice, and Rob DeCoste (class of ‘02), Managing Partner of 42° North Solutions, a life sciences service provider, came up with the idea of forming a life sciences alumni group and recently held a networking event for graduates and current students. “One of the great draws of Mass Maritime is the network,” said DeCoste. “We thought getting together those of us in the field could serve a couple purposes including networking, sharing our experiences with students interested in the industry, recruiting, and creating a scholarship.”
The first Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Life Sciences Alumni Networking Event took place in 2019 and most recently the second on March 24, 2020. More than 150 alumni attended with participants representing various functions within the life sciences industry, including facilities management, manufacturing, engineering, policy, and real estate. The featured speakers were Kenn Turner, President & CEO, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and KerriAnn MacNeill (class of ‘07), Global Engineer, Thermo Fisher Scientific.
“It was exciting for everyone to come together, face to face, and share in the success of the industry,” Coughlin said. “And it’s clear that we’re all facing similar challenges in finding talent to fill the critical jobs that the industry requires.”
Both Coughlin and DeCoste feel that Massachusetts Maritime Academy can play a role in filling the pipeline with excellent candidates for the life sciences field. “We know that the Academy is a great training ground for professionals. The regimental life teaches the basic skills that new employees need, such as showing up on time and being professional, but it also teaches those higher value skills like leadership and the importance of being a team player.”
DeCoste added, “Cadets graduate with two to three semesters of practical experience under their belts. It doesn’t matter if that work experience is in life sciences or another field, it’s incredibly valuable.”
The group is already taking action to recruit additional Mass Maritime students into the field. At the Academy’s recent spring career fair, several life sciences companies were on site to meet with students. “We were all happy to see each other on campus at the networking event in March,” said DeCoste. “But in early April we were back on campus competing with each other to recruit graduating cadets.”
The group is making a difference in another way as well. The committee is creating a scholarship for Maritime Academy cadets who are looking to enter the life sciences. The “Chris McCallum Scholarship” is named for one of their classmates who also worked in the industry.
“It’s great to see so many Mass Maritime grads finding success in the life sciences industry,” DeCoste said. “And it’s great to see so many people willing to give back to the school that helped us, to the industry and to the patients it serves.”
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a fully accredited, four-year, co-educational state university offering Bachelor and Master of Science degrees that are highly regarded in the worldwide maritime industry and beyond. For more than 100 years, MMA has prepared women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation’s finest co-ed maritime college, MMA challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment. Located on Cape Cod, at the mouth of the scenic Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the ideal college to pursue the love for the ocean, concern for the environment, interest in math and science, and a thirst for adventure.
