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Why did you attend UW-Madison?

I always knew I wanted to be in a science-related field and be involved with research, and it was an easy decision to go to Wisconsin as it is highly ranked for research funding for a public university. In addition, I love the city of Madison and enjoy how the campus is integrated with the city. Also, having two parents who are Wisconsin alumni drew me to the University.  

What was your major and why did you choose to study it?

I was a Biochemistry major. I have always had a passion for science and declared Biochemistry as my major during SOAR and stuck with it ever since. 

What is one of the most valuable experiences you had during your time at UW that helped you on your career journey?

The plethora of career fairs UW-Madison offers were some of the most valuable experiences I had pertaining to my career. I know it is common knowledge, but career fairs are an easy way to speak with businesses and get your foot in the door. I went to them each semester, the general and specialized ones, and finding familiar faces and networking was the best way to get my feet on the ground. 

What did you do outside of class (internships, clubs, work, etc.), and how did they help build your career?

Labs were especially helpful in building my career outside of the classroom. While mine were cut short due to COVID, the hands-on experience I gained was essential to my learning and gave me a taste of what I would be doing professionally after graduation. I worked as a lab technician in Judith Simcox’s lab in the UW Biochemistry Department. Specifically, I explored the role of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and its role in thermogenesis through liver lipid metabolism. I presented my research for Honors Biology 152 on campus in December of 2019 and at Molecules in the Midwest in March of 2020.

What are you doing professionally? 

I am a Technical Sales Representative at ibidi USA.

What do you like about your work?

I love the independence and the challenge of working as a sales representative. It is challenging, but motivating to recognize that the impression you make is an impression that speaks for the company. Additionally, I represent the Southeast region and get to travel every three weeks to cities like Charleston, Atlanta, etc.

What advice do you have for current CALS students embarking on their personal career journeys?

As I mentioned before, take every opportunity you can to network and get your foot in the door. Make use of the career fairs and networking events that UW-Madison provides and start early. Get out there while you are young and don’t let the fear of rejection hold you back. Lastly, be honest with yourself about what you are looking for in a career. You don’t have to follow what it seems like you should do. Evaluate what interests you and know it is okay if you like something different than what you thought a month ago.

Why did you attend UW-Madison?

I am originally from Madison and knew I wanted to attend UW since I was around 10 years old. My father was a professor at CALS for thirty years, and all of my family and siblings attended UW-Madison as well. I believe the University plays a large part in the Madison community, and I was always looking forward to being a part of that. 

What was your major and what motivated you to study Biochemistry?

I always want to highlight Biochemistry as a major because I was able to parlay my education in Biology and Chemistry into two different career tracks. I had the opportunity to work with a professor during high school, and this experience opened my eyes to the Biochemistry program through CALS and the wonderful research going on in the Life Sciences department. 

What is one of the most valuable experiences you had during your time at UW that helped you on your career journey?

My time as a research intern at UW-Madison was critical to my success. I spent all four years working in a research lab learning protein purification. The time I spent learning techniques in a research setting instead of a classroom was invaluable to my career growth. 

What did you do outside of class (internships, clubs, work, etc.), and how did they help build your career?

I started in high school with an internship through the Madison School District, and throughout college worked in a lab as an undergraduate researcher. Outside of academics, I was also in the marching band for all four years of school. This took up a lot of time outside of work and academics, but it helped me build a network of friends, some of whom I work with today. Overall, my work in the research lab learning biochemical techniques, combined with my experience networking in the band, set me up for success in the Madison biotech community. 

What are you doing professionally? 

I am a Senior Supervisor for protein purification at Illumina. Prior to becoming a Senior Supervisor, I worked as a scientist for 5 years doing industrial protein purification work. I also gained lots of experience as an Associate Scientist at Catalent Pharma Solutions and Sigma Aldrich working on protein purification and small molecule organic synthesis for experimental pharmaceuticals. 

What do you like about your work?

Illumina is a wonderful place to work. They are a market leader, and it is very easy to see the impact my work is having on the world. I have a personal experience with my friend’s daughter who had a genetic disorder that was diagnosed using Illumina equipment. Saying I played a role in the diagnosis through the proteins I had made for those tests is incredible. 

What advice do you have for current Biochemistry students embarking on their personal career journeys?

My biggest piece of advice is to explore all your options within the industry. When I was an undergraduate, I was laser-focused on academia and didn’t know what options were outside of that. CALS Career Services is a great way to network and learn about opportunities outside of the University and explore what you can do with a BS in Biochemistry. Reach out to your advisor and network outside of just the university to see what options are out there for you. 

Why did you attend UW-Madison?

I chose to attend UW-Madison for several reasons. As a first-generation student, the application process for college was very different than in India. But, because I lived in Wisconsin, I heard nothing but great things about the University and all it had to offer. 

What was your major and why did you choose to study it?

I was a Biological Systems Engineering major. My choice stemmed from a clear vision of pursuing a four-year plan and my strengths in math and science. In addition, through the Center of Educational Opportunity in Ingraham, I was introduced to CALS Career Services, which ultimately led me to enter CALS as it was the right fit for my career goals and interests. 

Master’s Degree

After completing my undergraduate degree, I felt like it was the right decision to further my education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. An opportunity arose through a professor who reached out regarding an open research project graduate position. This led to me pursuing a graduate degree at the CALS research station in Prairie du Sac, which later led me to connect with the USDA. 

What did you do outside of class (internships, clubs, work, etc.), and how did they help build your career?

Within the BSE department, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) provided a platform for speakers to come in and share their experiences working in Biological Systems Engineering. For my capstone project, I collaborated with a real-life client to develop a HEMP Machine, which earned recognition at ASABE. 

What are you doing professionally? 

I am currently employed as an Agricultural Engineer at the USDA. I primarily work with station managers in Prarie du Sac, assisting with various tasks related to precision agriculture data collection and equipment operations. I enjoy supporting scientists within the building and contributing to meaningful agricultural research.

What advice do you have for current CALS students embarking on their personal career journeys?

Utilize resources like CALS Career Services’ website and social media to find advisors who can provide you with support and direction. Always be proactive in asking questions and seeking help, whether in class, networking events, or college career fairs. Making meaningful connections with your advisors and professors will open doors to opportunities you might not have otherwise considered.

Why did you attend UW-Madison?

I enjoyed the blend of nature and the city environment of Madison. Moreover, I was aware of the wide range of clubs, majors, and research opportunities Madison has to offer. I was very eager to explore all these different opportunities.

What was your major and why did you choose to study it? 

I was a Biology major with a certificate in Global Health. I gravitated towards this field because I found the scientific concepts I was learning to be very applicable to real life. The flexibility within the Biology program allowed me to explore different focus areas and applications of Biology.

What did you do outside of class (internships, clubs, work, etc.), and how did they help build your career?

I participated in a peer mentor program for Biology students, where I mentored first and second-year students. I enjoyed getting to help those who were following a similar career path to me. In addition, I was involved in the club hockey team and served on the executive board for the ski club, Hoofers!

What are you doing professionally? 

Professionally, I work as a Quality Engineer at Boston Scientific. In this role, I am involved in operations for balloon catheter assembly. My responsibilities include addressing issues with non-conforming products and conducting investigations to identify and investigate shortcomings in products. Each day is different, and I get to work with a wide variety of people.

What do you like about your work?

I really enjoy the team-based structure of my work. It is a highly collaborative environment where I interact daily with managers, fellow engineers, and field managers. The cross-functional working environment prioritizes teamwork and a very welcoming environment. 

What advice do you have for current CALS students embarking on their personal career journeys?

Don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities and try different focus areas. Every experience, even if it doesn’t work out as expected, is not time wasted but time that you took to figure out your preferences. Leveraging connections, whether through shadowing professionals or networking, will provide invaluable opportunities for growth and guidance. Finally, make sure to take advantage of resources like CALS Career Services. I used the resume, cover letter writing template, and mock interviews tools to help build my professional skills. 

Why did you attend UW-Madison?

I was very impressed by UW’s science program and felt welcomed when I visited campus. The campus is beautiful and full of very nice people, but overall I was intrigued by the sciences here.

What was your major and why did you choose to study it?

I was a double major in Global Health and Life Sciences Communication. I was drawn to Global Health because of its integration of science with advocacy, and I also found that Life Sciences Communication paired well with this.

What did you do outside of class (internships, clubs, work, etc.), and how did they help build your career?

Outside of class, I was an undergraduate research assistant and worked at the UW Hospital in the Department of Pathology as an Administrative Assistant. Additionally, I was the Director of Local Partnerships and President of the Global Health Alliance. One of my greatest experiences was my internship with an NGO in Uganda, where I worked as a Communications and Development intern. 

What are you doing professionally? 

I am pursuing a Master’s of Public Health at the University of Washington in Seattle, with a focus on the Global Health of Women, Adolescence, and Children. 

Can you remember a specific time you used Career Service or any career advising service throughout your time at UW?

During my capstone, a CALS career advisor visited my class to present a cover letter and resume review session. This was my introduction to their services, and I later utilized their help for resume and cover letter writing and when applying for graduate school funding. 

What do you like about your work?

I enjoy the practical focus of my graduate program, and I know that the skills I am developing directly relate to my future career in global health. The hands-on approach prepares me well for the opportunities I have ahead.

What advice do you have for current CALS students embarking on their personal career journeys?

I highly recommend attending on-campus events and networking with leaders in your field of study. For Global health, these interactions gave me insight into prevalent and important topics in the field of Global Health. Lastly, if you are considering further education, take advantage of CALS Career Services and remember that their services last two years after you complete your undergraduate degree!

Why did you attend UW Madison?

I was very impressed with the science program at UW, particularly its Genetics program, which was just ranked one of the best in 2024. In addition, the beauty of the campus and the friendliness of the people was a bonus. 

What was your major and why did you choose to study it?

I double majored in Genetics and Genomics and Life Sciences Communication. I was fascinated by the nature of genetics and saw the potential for its role in the advancement in human health and longevity of life. Additionally, I discovered Life Science Communications complimented my genetics studies very well. 

What did you do outside of class (internships, clubs, work, etc.), and how did they help build your career?

Outside of class, I worked as an undergraduate research assistant for two years at the Lamming Lab, which provided invaluable hands-on experience. I also served as a peer advisor for introductory CALS courses, and I enjoyed working with students and helping where I could.

Can you remember a specific time you used Career Service or any career advising service throughout your time at UW?

I frequently utilized drop-in hours and scheduled appointments with advisors through Starfish for career advice. Advisors at CALS are very responsive and helpful, especially when I used their services for resume and cover letter reviews. Additionally, CALS Career Services offers many events that provide excellent opportunities to network with professionals and staff members.

What are you doing professionally? 

I am currently a Clinical Services Specialist at Adaptive Biotechnologies, a Biotech company focusing on immune medicine. My role involves supporting a blood cancer diagnostic called clonoSEQ. Overall, I act as a liaison between patients, healthcare professions, and lab technicians to ensure efficient delivery of diagnostic results.

What do you like about your work?

I enjoy the collaborative nature of my work, interacting with multiple teams and contributing to various aspects of the diagnostic process. Every day is different and there is always something new happening which keeps things exciting and I find fulfillment in helping others through my role.

What advice do you have for current CALS students embarking on their personal career journeys?

I highly recommend using CALS Career Services early on for guidance. Remember that you are the only person walking your own path. Don’t feel too pressured by peers taking different paths; focus on what aligns with your passions and goals.