After my graduation from Georgia Tech, I spent a year working as a Molecular Technologist for MNG Laboratories, formerly Medical Neurogenetics, in Atlanta, Georgia. MNG Laboratories is a clinical laboratory that performs metabolic, biochemical, and genetic testing for individuals with neurological and mitochondrial disorders. As a Molecular Technologist, I was able to see the processes that occur within a clinical laboratory setting, from the time a patient sample arrives in the lab, to the time the patient’s results are reported out. I began my training with Hand PCR; however, I eventually worked my way into performing and supervising the daily DNA extractions on samples such as blood, muscle biopsies, urine samples, and saliva samples. Alongside performing DNA extractions, I also had the chance to become more proficient in gels, TNRs, RFLPs, and sequence analysis. I thoroughly enjoyed the year of hands on learning and experience that I was able to gain at MNG. It was a great way to start my scientific career.
In June of 2015, I moved to Gardnerville, Nevada with my now husband, who is stationed at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Ca. In February of 2016, I started my job at Charles River Laboratories in Reno, Nevada as a Research Assistant in the Flow Cytometry Lab. I have worked my way up to a Research Assistant III since my hire and have recently begun cross training in Cell Culture! My job as an RAIII is amazing, and I come to work every day excited for something new. Charles River Laboratories is a worldwide company specializing in providing products and services that aid and expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs and therapeutics. Working in the Flow Cytometry and Cell Culture labs, I’m able to work hands on with new and upcoming pre-clinical drug samples and see their effects in real time. Flow Cytometry is such an up-and-coming technology that really has the ability to grow and flourish in the pharmaceutical field. The work we do at Charles River is truly lifesaving and awesome to be a part of. I think one of my favorite things about being a part of the Flow Cytometry and Cell Culture teams at Charles River Nevada is that I’m able to use the knowledge, information, and skills that I acquired from Georgia Tech on a daily basis.
Moving forward, I plan to complete my MBA. My goal is to take on more supervisory and managerial tasks at Charles River Laboratories. I love the work we do here, and I would love even more to be at the forefront of a life-changing, and saving, company.
My degree from Georgia Tech has prepared me vastly for my career in the sciences. The standard and expectations at Georgia Tech are high, and post-graduation they are even higher. Crazy, I know. But, being surrounded by the high pressure in college has truly aided me in life post-graduation, and has set me up for what I know will be great things in my future. I’ve found a home in the science field, and I can only attribute this success to the strict curriculum and expectations of Georgia Tech. The classes I took, the hands on experience within the labs, and the interactions with my TAs and professors gave me a solid background necessary to perform in a clinical laboratory setting, and interact with my peers and immediate supervisors.
1. Get to know your TAs and professors. They know the material that you are learning, and they can help you when you have questions or concerns. Also, when the time comes, they can aid you with letters of recommendation. They're not as scary as they seem, and they're always willing to help!
2. Network, Network, and Network. The interactions you have in college are going to build a foundation for your future career. Be a solid team player in your group projects, go out of your way to get to know your classmates, and once again, get to know your TAs and professors. Fun Fact: I got a job recommendation for MNG from one of my Physics II lab partners! He recommended me for the job, I got a call for an interview, and two weeks later, I had my first big kid job!
You have four to six years at Georgia Tech. It's truly a privilege. Make the most of it. Your life while you are at Georgia Tech is about school... don't lose sight of that; however, make it bearable. Make lifelong friends, join clubs and sororities/fraternities, spend your Saturdays at Bobby Dodd, and your weeknights at the coliseum. Enjoy your time at Georgia Tech. It will get you down, but only if you let it. Take everything in, soak it up, because one day you're at convocation learning "What's the Good Word", and the next day your sitting at graduation cheering "To Hell with Georgia".
