NeuroConnect-IN
Every Trainee. A job they love. A future they own.
About NeuroConnectIN
NeuroConnectIN is the HBI’s bold new career development program to support trainees. NeuroConnect-IN brings together programming from HBI’s REALISE, Innovation, and Community Network portfolios to provide a comprehensive range of supports and connect trainees to meaningful career pathways.
Our goal is to connect our trainees to resources like mentorship, professional development, internships, and networking opportunities to help them pursue careers they’re passionate about, whether in academic or non-academic settings.
How can NeuroConnectIN Accelerate your Career?
Frequently Asked Questions
NeuroConnectIN is a Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) initiative designed to help trainees find careers they love through professional development, innovation and entrepreneurship programming, mentorship, and community networking opportunities. The program helps trainees build skills beyond the lab, explore and prepare for careers in academic, clinical, industry, and other professional settings.
NeuroConnectIN is designed for HBI trainees, including graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. We also provide some opportunities to the broader HBI community, including staff and past trainees previously connected to the Institute.
Start by:
- Exploring upcoming NeuroConnectIN and REALISE events.
- Joining the HBI Community on LinkedIn to stay in the loop about career development opportunities at and beyond HBI.
- Applying for mentorship, innovation and experiential learning opportunities that match your interests and career goals.
Most NeuroConnectIN activities are offered for free as part of HBI’s trainee development programming. Specific external events or programs may have unique participation requirements, so you should review the details of each opportunity and reach out to realise@ucalgary.ca if you have any questions.
The Community Mentorship Program connects graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with experienced leaders from the Calgary professional community. Mentors provide career guidance, insights into different sectors, and professional support to help trainees achieve their goals. Follow the contact link on the Community Mentorship webpage to get involved.
NeuroConnectIN has a curated list of internships, entrepreneurial, and experiential-learning opportunities offered through the University of Calgary and external partners to help trainees explore career pathways and gain practical experience.
Explore internship and experiential learning opportunities →
"The Next Step: Mentorship for the Academic Job Market" program is for postdoctoral scholars. Participants receive personalized guidance, feedback on practice job talks and teaching presentations, mock interviews, and other supports designed to improve success in the academic job market.
To participate, go to the Next Step webpage and complete the Onboarding questionnaire.
Innovation is about learning to think differently, approach problems in a creative way, and communicate your ideas effectively. This mindset can apply to your research and study design, launching a start-up, or to more generally help you become a professional who solves problems effectively. Regardless of where your career takes you, Innovation training offers you tools to develop highly desired skillsets.
No. Innovation programming is designed to help you develop creative problem-solving, leadership and communication skills that are valuable across many careers, including academia, healthcare, industry, government and the non-profit sector.
Innovation is about teaching people to think outside the box and sharpen their problem-solving. You can participate in our Innovation-focused modules and even additional UCalgary programs like Evolve to Innovate (e2i) Health without having a "commercialization” goal.
NeuroConnectIN provides innovation-focused workshops through REALISE and connections to resources beyond the University that help trainees develop entrepreneurial thinking and learn how research discoveries can create real-world impact.
You can also reach out to HBI to discuss your questions and ideas. For questions about innovation, contact:
Dr. Lian Willetts, HBI Innovation Director
Email: lian.willetts@ucalgary.ca
Adrienna Doerksen, HBI Program Manager
Email: adrienna.doerksen@ucalgary.ca
To stay in the loop:
NeuroConnectIN brings together three HBI programs, building on our flagship REALISE program to expand the ways we support trainees:
- REALISE – Career development, professional skills training and mentorship.
- Innovation – Entrepreneurship and innovation-focused learning opportunities.
- Community Network – Networking, professional connections and opportunities to stay connected with the HBI community.
REALISE (Research, Education and Leadership In neuroSciencE) is HBI's professional development program. It provides skills training, networking opportunities, mentorship, and career development resources to help trainees advance confidently toward their career goals. You can view current REALISE modules and training opportunities here.
Reach out to the HBI team with questions about career development and support.