The Rutgers Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program is growing! We are thrilled to announce a new addition to our team. Jay Goldring has joined us as an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice.
Goldring received a Ph.D. in toxicology from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He began his career working within the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. After six years, he decided to enter industry. He has over 25 years of experience in quality, regulatory affairs, and safety roles in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and consumer product industries, including 15 years managing regulatory and safety departments, in companies such as Colgate-Palmolive, Wyeth (now Pfizer), and most recently Supergoop!
Goldring will serve as an advisor in Personal Care Science and Food Science. He also plans to help organize meetings and networking events featuring his extensive industry contacts, serve as a guest lecturer in appropriate program courses, and eventually develop his own course reflecting his industry experiences.
“I hope to give some of the experiences that I have, teach students, and direct them into the areas of the industry that interest them,” said Goldring. “Since I have had such a wide variety and a number of different functions throughout a number of different companies, I hope to be able to listen to students, determine their interests, and help them find a place in this big industry that they will best be able to land and have a productive career.”
Goldring’s partnership with MBS began when he served as an MBS Externship Exchange program advisor in the spring of 2023.
“That was really what got me interested in working with students more and working with companies,” he said. “I will be able to help students connect with companies and job openings and hopefully develop more externships with other companies.”
While serving as an Externship Advisor, Goldring was impressed by our externs. Because of his industry experience, he was able to help companies focus their ideas into actionable projects that would allow students to gain crucial work experience while benefitting the company.
“I kind of cross the academic and industry sides, so hopefully, I’ll be able to help the students and companies define projects that are beneficial to both,” said Goldring.
Goldring joined MBS because it will allow him to have a tangible impact on students.
“I’m interested in applying my experience and skills to help the next generation find their way in this industry. I like working with students, I like teaching, and those opportunities really drew me to the program.”
Goldring wishes to help early scientists advance in their careers. He can support students using his scientific expertise while also providing them with non-scientific skills, such as financial and interpersonal skills.
“The beauty of this program is that it offers [students] the combination of the science—the technical piece—and the business skills—the skills to move ahead in a company.” He added, “I wish I’d had a program like this when I was that age.”
This program allows students to improve their business skills, learn how to maneuver within a company, and to better show their true value.
“A program like this will really help students accelerate their career growth and not have to jump companies when they reach a peak,” said Goldring. “They’ll have the tools to work within their own companies and to really shine in and advance in their own careers.”
Goldring hopes to help students develop invaluable skills, especially in building their careers.
“One thing I’d like to help students do when they are looking for jobs is to understand what they can and cannot negotiate.” Students often lack this skill, especially scientists. They should understand what is open to negotiation and how hard they should negotiate. “When students are applying for a job and when they get a job, to be truly satisfied in the job, they need to feel good about their offer and about starting the job.”
Goldring hopes to acquire new skills himself during his time at MBS: entrepreneurial ones. He also hopes to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of students.
“I’d like to encourage that in students and tell them the plusses and minuses of taking on risky careers early and later on in their employment. I’m hoping when I’m advising students, that I’m giving them all of the options—including the more and less risky options.” Students at different stages of life may be more or less risk-averse—Goldring plans to advise students holistically.
“I really want to understand each student and where they are and to tailor an advising strategy to the specific place they are in their life and their personal situation. Having been working for 45 years, I understand the continuum, and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to really understand where they are.”
To learn more about Goldring, view his LinkedIn profile. You can also schedule an advising appointment with him.