FOBE800 Reflection A: Evaluating Biotechnology and Business Skills

This assignment is a reflective piece from a student enrolled in the Master of Biotechnology and Business program, specifically addressing the FOBE800 course. The student initially expressed reluctance due to the combination of biotechnology and commerce but later recognized the value of the program. The reflection details the student's evolving understanding of the importance of management skills, strategic business concepts, and the commercialization of research products. The paper highlights the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application, leading to enhanced decision-making abilities in the global economic environment. The student reflects on the development of their professional identity, communication skills, and confidence, along with discussing how the course has enabled them to articulate their strengths and prepare for the corporate world, with references to relevant literature supporting their arguments. The assignment fulfills the requirements of Reflection A, focusing on discipline-specific knowledge, graduate capabilities, and professional identity.

REFLECTION 1
I was reluctant to take up the course in the beginning because of the unusual combination of
biotechnology and commerce. As a learner I was fond of working in the research area and
was unsure of learning the business side of their organization.
However as the course proceeded, I realised the significance of the research program
manager as the career option which is widely sought for and appreciated profession. As I
researched further about the profession, I further realised the significance of possessing the
strong people management skills to advance in the said career stream. With the increased
pace of globalisation, it is necessary for the managers to possess the technical knowledge as
well the managerial skills to lead the team and guide the members (Hanson et. al, 2016).
Eventually I realised that the course will enable me a better understanding of the
commercialization of the products of the research. As I evaluated the units that collectively
comprised of the course, I appreciated the varied range of subjects that were included to
render an overall understand and speak the language of the business world combined with the
world of science.
It is significant to note that there are a number of opportunities in terms of jobs in the field of
biotechnology, but there is a lack of candidates who possess the sound management skills.
Studying capism course enabled me to gain an overall understanding of the strategic business
concepts like finance, organisational structure, and incidental concepts of leadership and
management. The unique feature of the course that it enabled the student to discover what
they love, safely take risks in the simulated environments and leads to overall polishing of the
soft skills and knowledge of the varied technical and other concepts. The experiential
learning activities led the development of various area of interests. It can be stated that sound
conceptual knowledge of science and management skills enables an individual to be better in
the decision making in the ever changing local and global economic conditions (Dodgson,
2017). I feel, the integration of the practice and theory of various management concepts leads
to develop a comprehensive set of knowledge and the enhanced emotional quotient and
ability to perceive.
Today, I can say that the learning gained during the various units and course would render me
beneficial results in the corporate world. The written and verbal formats of the course
brushed my communication skills which will be extremely beneficial for me in the upcoming
number of years. Overall I can state that the course has enabled me to articulate my strengths
and would facilitate the demonstration of my skills to the corporate world. I can state that I

REFLECTION 2
feel more confident on personal level about myself and would be able to present myself as an
assertive professional.
References
Dodgson, M. (2017) The Management of Technological Learning: Lessons of a
Biotechnology Company (Vol. 29). Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG.
Hanson, D., Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D. and Hoskisson, R. E. (2016) Strategic management:
Competitiveness and globalisation. Australia: Cengage AU.