Need to be inspired? Plant a seed…

Whether in college, grade school, or even kindergarten, most of us can recall a special teacher, coach, or counselor who saw something unique in us and believed in our potential. For example, a high school science teacher who saw a student's interest in biology and encouraged them to join a science fair. That simple act of encouragement might lead that student to pursue a career in medicine or research. These mentors listen to our ideas, guide us, and connect us to valuable resources, a potential summer program, internship, or professional networks that shape our future. Most importantly, their actions inspire us to dream bigger and work harder.In 2026, the PMINJ Life Sciences LCI team is going beyond providing great articles, inspiring speaker events, and innovative collaborations including special events like the global GenAI Life Sciences Hackathon. We are piloting a series of articles written in collaboration with students—ranging from high school to graduate school—who are paired with PMINJ Life Science Project Managers. For instance, a college student interested in pharmaceutical project management might author an article and an experienced PM will add real-world PM perspective. The enthusiasm and fresh perspectives these students bring are truly contagious. Many of them are already PMI Student Members, which gives them access to tools, credentials, and a supportive community to jumpstart their project management careers.Did you know that the PMI Student Membership exists? Imagine instead of an Amazon, Starbucks, etc., gift card, a college student receives a PMI Student Membership as a gift. Suddenly, they have access to webinars, networking events, and even mentorship opportunities with seasoned professionals. For example, a student member might attend a virtual workshop on agile project management and connect with a mentor who helps them land their first internship. If you know a student interested in project management, consider gifting them a PMI Student Membership. You might be surprised at how rewarding it feels to help nurture the next generation of project managers and life science professionals — it’s truly like planting a seed and watching it grow into a beautiful tree.We hope you enjoy this pilot series of student-point of view articles, alongside our standard features. Your feedback is invaluable - let us know what you think!