Diverse Routes: Career Journeys in Science & Medicine

Dr. Tanya Latty is an associate professor at the University of Sydney Australia. As an invertebrate ecologist or entomologist she has a broad interest in insect behavior and ecology, such as finding ways to create pollinator friendly cities and using invertebrates as inspiration for new technologies. Tanya has a special fondness for what some would consider ‘weird’ and ‘under studied taxa’, such as slime moulds and velvet worms. And she is also deeply committed to outreach and education and is an active science communicator having working in TV, radio, and print media.

Dr. Tanya Latty is our first international guest on this podcast and offers an incredibly valuable perspective for those of you considering studying or working outside of the United States. But for those of you wishing to stay in the States, much of what we discuss applies to you too!

Lauren Bretz is a Lead Manager on Starbucks’ Data Science team, building enterprise self-service tools. Prior to Starbucks Lauren was an Applied Scientist at Zillow, constructing and forecasting economic time series. Lauren has a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, and Finance and a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics.

Episode Highlights:

• Preparing for your industry interview (including what to consider if you are not fluent in all the programs listed in a job ad)
• Overview of 3 different paths in data science
• Clarifying the purpose of and differences between a mentor, a coach, and a consultant or advisor

Dr. Terence Wong is a Life Science Consultant at ZS Associates where he delivers innovative solutions to biomedical research, clinical development, medical affairs, and pipeline and launch strategies for clients in the biotech and Pharma industries. 

Prior to ZS, Terence was a Clinical Genomics Analyst at Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine and genetics instructor at UC San Diego Extended Studies.

Terence was born and raised in Honolulu, HI by his parents who both immigrated to America from Asia. And he is the first in his family to go to college and the first in even his extended family to earn a doctoral degree. 

Episode Highlights:

• How you can start contributing to your retirement as a graduate student
• What questions to expect in a job interview
• How attending (food) sponsored events could lead to your next big break!

Dr. Darrell Marshall is CEO, Research Scientist, and founder of Total Analysis. Darrell holds a PhD in Bioanalytical chemistry, specializing in infectious diseases, ionization product development, and machine learning. With 13 years of research experience, he has worked on multiple innovative projects, including an ovarian cancer screening tool based on ML and nuclear magnetic resonance, an automated tool for bacterial species identification, and a mass spectrometer-based bacterial tool. He has co-authored over 25 publications and two book chapters.

Episode Highlights:

• How to land your first research opportunity as an undergraduate (be bold, be brave)
• The hidden benefit of applying to jobs where you might not have all the credentials (be bold, be brave)
• Insight into launching your own start-up (be bold, be brave)

Alison Vannoy, PT, DPT, and COMT is Physical Therapist at Results Physiotherapy, an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Nashville, Tennessee. Alison got her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Auburn University and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She immediately landed her current position and has been treating orthopedic cases in people of all ages  and vestibular and torticollis in infants for the past 4 years.

Episode Highlights:

• When to start shadowing
• What job experiences to put on your resume
• Specializations in physical therapy

You will definitely want to listen to this episode from start to finish. At the beginning you will get some insight into our upbringing (we’re cousins) and at the end Alison shares an experience she had during her interview that all of us could benefit from hearing.

Anna Buck is a Physician Assistant at West Coast Sports Institute, the doctors for the San Francisco Giants and 49ers.

Anna provides a fresh and authentic perspective as she recently landed her first position after moving across the country from Knoxville Tennessee to Santa Clara California, and passing her Boards and obtaining licensing just weeks after graduating from Lipscomb University and getting married.

As a former collegiate athlete at Lee University, Anna talks about how her basketball career provided her with valuable skills she uses in day-to-day life as PA and it likely helped her land her current position with a sports medicine and primary care medical practice.

This episode is a must listen. Anna shares incredible detail about her journey and provides practical advice for how to succeed in this competitive field.

Episode Highlights:

• How collegiate sports could help you land your first job
• Navigating the job market when moving across the country
• What you need to know about passing your Boards

Resources Provided by Guest:

Melissa Kivel is an Education Manager and Lydia Nicholas is a Environmental Field Technician for Friends of the St. Clair River, a non-profit environmental conservation organization.

Melissa earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University. She had her first experience with Friends in 2010 as a volunteer for the stream leaders water quality monitoring program. Then after meeting the organizations president while working for the St. Clair County Health Department she pursed an a job opening with Friends and is now the Education Manager.

Lydia Nicholas's lifelong interest in Great Lakes ecosystems, Evolutionary Biology degree from Michigan Technological University, participation in climate change research, and attendance at Sturgeon Fest (an event organized by Friends) eventually led them to their current position as the an Environmental Field Technician with Friends.

Episode Highlights:

• Gap semesters and gap years don’t hinder your future success
• Volunteering and getting involved in community events could lead to a fulfilling, paid position
• Benefits of working for a non-profit
• What does a non-profit look for in a quality application?

Resources Provided by Guests:

Jacqueline (Jackie) Dresser is a land surveyor at T.G. Miller, P.C. Jackie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Surveying from Alfred State College. Following graduation and a brief stint in NYC, she transitioned to research in a precision viticulture program, Efficient Vineyard with Cornell University helping wineries collect, analyze, and apply spatial data to their agricultural practices.

Episode Highlights:

• Why career exploration is essential even if you end up back where you started
• How relationships can save you from ever having to formally submit a job application
• Why a lengthy on-the-job experience requirement is actually for your own good in the field of surveying

Resources:

John Diller, RN is a Charge Nurse with Beacon Health System. His previous experience includes work as a CNA and telemetry technician and his previous educational experience includes a nursing degree (ASN), BS in Entomology from Purdue University, and a Master's in Biology from Central Michigan University.

Episode Highlights:

• Excellent overview of the various types of nursing;
• A reason to make a career shift that few consider;
• Incorporating your interests in your career;

Resources:

Erin Lynch is lead hydrogeologist at WSP USA, working with federal clients to manage abandoned mine land cleanups. Erin completed her Bachelors and Masters at Michigan State University. Previously Erin worked for Lansing Community College, US Geological Survey, and Ecology and Environment Inc.;

Episode Highlights:

• Failure might just be redirection;
• Employers expect to train entry-level applicants;
• Highlight your school projects on your resume;

Resources:

Erica Campbell is a licensed veterinary technician at the Detroit Zoo. She began her career in veterinary medicine over 20 years ago as a receptionist at an exotics practice, moving on to a small animal clinic after her previous practice closed, and landing her current position 14 years ago.

Episode Highlights:

• Resilience in the face of an unexpected job loss
• How entertaining alternative career options may lead you right back to where you started
• The importance of preparation for job interviews
• The ways in which working at a small animal clinic can and cannot help you prepare for work at a zoo
• The importance of clinical experience - can you handle the cute and cuddly and the blood and gore?

Resources:

Jennifer Hamm is a Speech-Language Pathologist for the West Shore Educational Service District in Michigan servicing children ages 3-10 that have articulation impairments, expressive and receptive language disorders, stuttering, and autism spectrum disorder.

Episode Highlights:

• Details about the credentialing process
• How an internship can lead to a permanent job opportunity
• Resources to look for in a graduate program

Resources:

Bob worked for the National Park Service for 41 years in six different parks in six different regions. The last 29 years were spent as Wildlife Biologist on the Blue Ridge Parkway where he worked with a wide variety of animals and resources.

Episode Highlights:

• Why a recommendation might be more important than your experience
• Using college as an opportunity to explore career options
• What different sized organizations offer

Resources:

Dr. Shahnaz Masani (she/her) is a Teaching Professor (Biology) at Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University who shares her experience moving to a new country (India to the United States) and teaching at a large R1 university as an immigrant faculty of color.  

Recommended Resources:  

This brief episode introduces the podcast host, Dr. Cassie Briggs, outlines the format of the podcast episodes (interview-style, 30-40 mins), and ways to access bonus content.

***Official Launch Date: March 15th, 2022!***

Links to Resources Mentioned in Episode: