1. Why did you choose SCU Bioengineering?
I chose SCU BIOE for a multitude of reasons. Going into college, I was unsure of what I wanted to do moving forward. My goal was to be able to build my skill set so that one day I would be able to integrate my scientific mind with my creative nature. To that end, the major taught me how to problem solve and think outside of the traditional, linear-mind set, which has since helped propel my success in industry.
2. What were your most important academic experiences?
My most important academic experiences came during my senior year of college. The first was learning how to learn.
As a result of the small class sizes in the BIOE major, I had ample opportunity to meet with instructors. During this time, my professors' and I narrowed in on my specific learning style and identified what methods of reviewing materials worked best for me. This changed my entire approach to learning and made it both more enjoyable and effective.
The second prominent experience was learning how to navigate difficult team dynamics. This lesson was particularly notable during my senior design project, which required my teammates and I to optimize our skills and manage a multifactorial project. Identifying how to utilize my own strengths, as well as promote the success of my teammates, has been a defining skill in my professional career that has set me apart from my peers.
3. What has the SCU degree enabled you to do?
Over time, my degree has provided me with the foundation for which I have launched my career. The two greatest gifts that a bioengineering education gave me were 1, critical problem-solving capabilities, and 2, flexibility to pursue various career paths. Starting out at my first job, I realized that my teamwork and troubleshooting skills set me apart from my peers. It was because of this that I was given exponentially more responsibility and had the opportunity to lead a team to build a new lab in Shantou, China. After a few years, I thought more about the intersection between my skills, interests, and passions and decided to pivot in my career. Since this time, I have received my Masters in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and will be starting medical school in the Fall. Going into undergrad, I would have never anticipated the direction my career has taken and am immensely grateful for the education that has allowed me to seize a multitude of different opportunities.