Elevator Pitch Competition
Please note: We will not be hosting a 2026 Pitch Competition to allow attendees to focus their efforts on active networking and career preparation.
However, we encourage you to review the materials below to prepare your elevator pitch for scientists and company recruiters.
We’ll also be offering several workshops on this and related topics. Visit our registration page to learn more.
What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is typically a short speech or statement introducing yourself, and your key skills, explaining your goals, and making a request. In our elevator pitch competition, you will make a 60-90-second speech or statement introducing yourself and why you would be an ideal candidate for your dream job/career. Competitors will be timed during the pitch. Those who go over 90 seconds will be disqualified. Competitors cannot use props, costumes, or spoken word poetry.
How can I learn to craft elevator pitch?
- Students at UT Health San Antonio are invited to join the GSBS Office of Student Success and Enventure SA in future professional development events. These workshops are free, and students who attend will be invited to participate in small group mentoring to edit their pitch before the big day.
- If you are a non-UT Health San Antonio trainee interested in elevator pitch development, can reach out to your university career development office or check out these useful resources:
Watch the 2025 Elevator Pitch Competition video recap playlist available at this link here for more examples of elevator pitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How will performances be judged?
We will be using the following rubric:
Needs Improvement Meets Exceeds Performance
(Appearance, Confidence, Posture, Speaks Clearly)
Speech is unprepared, displays lack of confidence, and does not feel genuine. Speech looks somewhat rehearsed, displays some lack of confidence, or feels less genuine. Speech feels genuine and is delivered with confidence.
Content
(Clear, concise, compelling)
Doesn’t describe what their skills are or how they have value for an organization. Somewhat describes their skills and value to an organization. Speech demonstrates skills and value through compelling examples of experience and achievements. Intention/Goals
(States their goals, captures attention, persuasive, realistic)
Doesn’t describe why they are uniquely qualified for this position. Somewhat describes why they are uniquely qualified for this position. Speech creates a clear picture of how the candidate is uniquely qualified for this position. Overall
Overall, elevator pitch needs improvement.
Overall, meets most expectations for a good elevator pitch. Overall, exceeds expectations for an excellent elevator pitch. -
Who is the judge?
The 2025 BioMed Career Fest judges will be industry scientists in various biomedical career fields. Stay tuned for announcements!
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Are there prizes?
Yes, $100, $150, $200 prizes are awarded for winners at BioMed Career Fest
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Does it cost to participate in the competition?
No! The competition is completely free to all participants.
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How do I sign up?
How is it decided who gets to compete?
- UT Health San Antonio students can compete for the 8 internal slots. This selection will be determined by potential benefit to the individual student’s career progression and their ability to convey skillset and qualifications in their personal statement.
- The top 8 UT Health San Antonio trainees and top 7 non-UT Health San Antonio trainees will compete in front of judges at the 2025 Biomed Career Fest on Friday, March 21st.
For non-UT Health San Antonio trainees: Applicants can submit an interest form.
What does the interest form contain?
- All trainees are asked to submit an interest form to the UT Health San Antonio GSBS Office of Student Success. The form will be sent out to all registrants via the whova platform. The top 7 applicants from non-UTHSCSA institutions will be determined by potential benefit to the individual student’s career progression and their ability to convey skillset and qualifications in their personal statement, while also ensuring diversity of institutions participating, will be selected to compete. Additional information for interested participants can be found in “what information do I need to share.”
- Non-UT Health San Antonio students are asked to share a draft of their elevator pitch or brief personal statement on why they would like to participate in the event. Other competitors will not view this information. The Office of Student Success will review all applications to determine the top 7 candidates that will go onto the 2025 BioMed Career Fest Competition.
- These candidates will be determined by potential benefit of their participation to their career progression, ability to convey skillset and qualifications in their personal statement, while also ensuring diversity of institutions participating. The UT Health Science Center San Antonio GSBS Office of Student Success will work to ensure that a range of degrees and institutions are represented.
- The top 8 UT Health San Antonio trainees and top 7 non-UT Health San Antonio trainees will compete in front of judges at the 2025 Biomed Career Fest on Friday,March 21st.
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Once I’m selected, what information is needed prior to the elevator pitch competition?
To participate, you will need to share:
- Your full name
- Dream job after graduation
- 3 key skills for the job (e.g., project management, writing skills, assays)
- Your headshot photo
The above information will be added to a standardized PowerPoint slide that will be displayed behind you during the presentation.