Long Island City Partnership Demystifies Life Sciences Jobs with Career Open House Showcasing Neighborhood’s Growing Industry Cluster
Long Island City, New York (May 3, 2022) – Long Island City Partnership (LICP), the neighborhood development organization for Long Island City, hosted a Life Sciences Career Open House on Thursday, April 28, showcasing emerging opportunities in what has become one of the community’s most promising sectors. Held at Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, the event attracted almost 100 students and jobseekers, many of whom were unfamiliar with the variety of career paths available within the industry.
“Many of our local life sciences companies, hospitals, environmental companies and others are actively hiring lab technicians, research assistants, data and IT specialists, but also sales representatives and administrative assistants,” said Elizabeth Lusskin, President, Long Island City Partnership, during the event’s opening remarks. “[Roles] that would be in any company are also in the life sciences industries where you can start and learn and grow.”
A major component of the event was to promote equitable opportunity for all communities in the greater Long Island City area while demystifying an industry often thought of as inaccessible and limited to PhD-level professionals. In reality, the life sciences industry includes positions in healthcare, biotech, pharmaceuticals, lab testing, research and development, environmental management, manufacturing and more. Attendees – which ranged from high school students to prospective career changers – were able to learn about these opportunities by sitting in on round tables hosted by participating organizations and businesses.
“I have a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs and have had a difficult time finding a position with my specific interests,” said Estefanie Lliguichuzca, 32, a Western Queens resident who found out about the event through Urban Upbound. “But I find the life sciences sector very appealing and I realize that my skillsets can be very useful in the field.”
Participating businesses included Triumvirate, Biotech Without Borders, The Floating Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens. Workforce and local organizations included LaGuardia Community College, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, who promoted their LifeSci NYC internship program, Hour Children and the Hour Working Women Re-Entry Program, Community Capacity Development (CCD) and the Queens Public Library. The Office of New York State Senator Michael N. Gianaris was also involved. LIC-based organizations Urban Upbound and Riis Settlement were instrumental in organizing the event and funding was provided by the Office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., who was represented by Deputy Borough President Ebony Young. Both Ms. Young and Jose Ortiz, Jr., Senior Advisor, Deputy Mayor for Economic & Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer, provided closing remarks.
Please contact Sierra Brown at sbrown@licpartnership.org if you have any questions, are interested in interviewing LICP staff/participating organizations/businesses or require any additional assets. A photo bank of related images can be found here.
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About Long Island City Partnership:
Long Island City Partnership (LICP) is the neighborhood development organization for Long Island City. LICP’s mission is to advocate for economic development that benefits the area’s industrial, commercial, tech, cultural, tourism, and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to LIC, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. LICP also operates the LIC Business Improvement District and LIC Industrial Business Zone (LIC IBZ), providing business services and assistance.
About The Long Island City Business Improvement District:
The Long Island City Business Improvement District (LIC BID) serves a diverse and growing community. Created in 2005, the original LIC BID encompassed the commercial corridors along Queens Plaza and Jackson Avenue to Court Square. In 2017 the BID expanded to include the commercial corridors continuing along Jackson Avenue, Vernon Boulevard, and 44th Drive. Managed by the Long Island City Partnership, the BID provides supplementary sanitation, horticulture and visitor services within the District, and carries out community development and marketing initiatives that benefit the neighborhood.