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Why Your Personal Brand Matters as Much as Your Ph.D

The NAPB soft skills workshop was attended by over 50 students.

From molecular biology to leadership, this NAPB workshop showed why soft skills are essential for success in plant breeding careers.

On a sun-drenched Sunday in Hawaii, while many tourists were chasing waves or lounging by the pool, a different kind of transformation was underway. Inside a meeting room at the National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB) annual meeting in Kona, a group of around 40 grad students and early-career scientists leaned in — not to talk genetics or genomics, but to tackle something arguably harder: themselves.

This was no ordinary workshop. It was a masterclass in “soft skills.” But as Masha Trenhaile — head of university strategy and outreach at Bayer Crop Science — made clear from the outset, these aren’t just soft skills — they’re core competencies.

“If they’re not natural to you, they’re really difficult to come by,” she said. “And the truth is, these are the skills that will set you apart — not just in interviews, but in your careers.”

This workshop, now in its seventh year, has grown into one of the most sought-after events at NAPB. Supported by Corteva Agriscience and Bayer Crop Science, this year marked the inclusion of GDM Seeds as a new partner — proof that industry sees value in a generation of scientists who can do more than crunch numbers and pipette samples.

“This isn’t a Bayer event. It’s not a Corteva event. It’s not a GDM event,” Trenhaile emphasized. “It’s for the whole industry. Every company wants people who can lead, collaborate, and communicate with authenticity.”

And that’s where Becky Ryan stepped in.

Ryan, who leads breeding R&D operations for Bayer in Maui, took the mic to lead a 90-minute crash course in personal branding. Part storytelling session, part self-discovery exercise, and part emotional check-in, her presentation challenged attendees to reflect on their values, clarify their “why,” and articulate their unique impact in a crowded, hyper-competitive job market.

Ryan, whose own career path took her from molecular biology in Rhode Island to agriculture in the tropics, reminded participants that their careers aren’t linear — and neither are their identities.

She shared deeply personal stories, including how parenting while working and attending grad school gave her leadership and negotiation skills she couldn’t have learned anywhere else. Values like “job security” emerged in conversation alongside “determination” and “variety” — sparking dialogue around privilege, life stage and what truly drives us.

The workshop didn’t stop at introspection. Ryan encouraged the group to translate these insights into actionable personal brand statements. She cited examples from LinkedIn influencers, industry leaders, and even LeBron James. The message was clear: your technical credentials may get you in the door, but your story — your why — is what will keep you moving forward.

Basketball star James was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, specifically from the inner city. He has often spoken about his upbringing in Akron and the support he received from his community. He has also mentioned his experiences at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in his hometown. 

“LeBron James doesn’t have to say, I’m good at basketball, right? We all know that already, but his personal brand is about always attaching back to where he came from. And if you look at everything that he is doing and the way he presents and his outreach, this is integral to his brand.”

And in today’s economy, that differentiation matters more than ever.

“These skills are going to be the dividing line between you and the next candidate.”

Over lunch, students rotated between tables hosted by industry reps, practicing their brand pitches and building networks. The event wrapped with a panel discussion featuring more corporate voices, hammering home one message: technical skills get you noticed, but soft skills — storytelling, presence, emotional intelligence — get you remembered.

The takeaway? 

“Soft skills are hard. But they’re also learnable — and in today’s agtech economy, non-negotiable,” Ryan added.

Khushboo Rastogi is a postgrad from Texas A&M University.

Growth Beyond Genome Assemblies

For workshop attendee and 2025 Borlaug Scholar Khushboo Rastogi — plant geneticist and molecular biologist — the real breakthroughs weren’t just about crafting a brand statement. It was a journey toward reclaiming her authentic voice — a reminder that scientists’ insights and values are just as vital as their discoveries.

Rastogi, whose Ph.D work focused on lysine biofortification and genome-wide association studies for various abiotic stress, has built her career across the intersections of bioinformatics, molecular biology and leadership. But she’s the first to admit: her path has been anything but linear. Originally from northern India, her career path has taken her to South Korea, New York, the Philippines, and finally Texas, where she recently graduated with her Ph.D at Texas A&M University.

“I started out as a bioinformatician working on genome divergence, assembling genomes and doing transcriptomics,” she explains. “But I realized something was missing — I couldn’t bridge the communication gap with breeders or molecular biotechnologists. That gap drove me to shift my entire career,” she says.

That decision meant stepping into the unknown. When she began her Ph.D,  she didn’t have any formal training in molecular biology or plant genetics. Now, years later, she’s not only fluent in molecular techniques — she’s also fluent in people.

“Everyone has their own story. There’s no ‘correct’ version of a career path,” she says. “It’s not about comparing. It’s about conveying your own truth, your own values.”

What hit home for her was how values evolve. At her table sat energetic, early-career Ph.D. students focused on accountability and ambition. For Rastogi, who describes herself as early-career, the priorities had shifted.

“Now, stability matters. Mental peace matters. Being authentic with your team  — and with yourself — is what I value most,” she shares. Family, friendships, and health carry more weight now, even as I remain curious and continue to seek wisdom.”  

She’s seen firsthand how failure can be a powerful teacher.

“Your life teaches you what no one else can. Every rejection shows you something new about yourself — where you’re too comfortable, what you’ve been avoiding, and what you really want.”

That kind of reflection has helped Rastogi become more than just a scientist. She’s emerged as a mentor and leader, someone who organizes symposiums, supports other grad students through transitions, and models what it means to lead with vulnerability.

“You learn to ask for help. You learn who’s really there for you. You learn that it’s OK not to be able to do everything. That’s where real growth happens.”

Rastogi is quick to challenge the common narrative that any job is better than no job. In a tough market, it’s tempting to say yes to any opportunity. But for her, alignment matters.

“If I’m not happy in the role, I won’t be able to give 100%. And if I can’t bring my full self, the people I work with won’t get the best version of me either. That’s not good for anyone.”

Her takeaway from the workshop wasn’t just a polished LinkedIn summary or a catchy elevator pitch — it was a renewed belief in personal truth.

“Value yourself. Respect your journey. Your values may not be the same as anyone else’s — and that’s exactly the point. Like our fingerprints, no two paths are the same.”

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