Non-linear path brings career success

How did studying at UQ prepare you for a career in the biotechnology industry?

Studying Biotechnology developed my interest for understanding how to make good science meet good business. My PhD drove my passion for understanding the unknown even further. Together they were instrumental in creating a solid foundation for a successful career.

Learning from inspiring educators at the forefront of research drove me to find opportunities with companies that pushed boundaries not only in science and technology, but also in what is possible at a human level, through collaborative problem-solving, innovation and creativity.

What other opportunities have you come across as a result of your studies?

I managed to secure a job before I completed my thesis – I worked full-time in technology transfer at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore while I wrote up my thesis in my own time. While that was tough, it did show that my academic qualifications were valued so highly that people were prepared to bank on them before I even secured them officially.

It also helped that I tried to get as much working experience as I could while studying. Again, UQ gave me some great opportunities to work at affiliated institutes (lab technician, QIMR) and companies (Technology Analyst, UniQuest) which lead to other jobs in my career through contacts I made (Quality Assurance, Progen Pharmaceuticals; Research Officer, Queensland Government Biotech Policy & Regulation Unit; Sleep Technician at the PA & RB Hospitals).

I love to travel, so I have been very fortunate that the work I do has taken me all over the world. I’ve seen some amazing things on my travels and had the opportunity to work with many different people in a variety of business cultures. It’s been an amazing way to grow and learn about the world.

What did you enjoy and find particularly beneficial about your program?

I loved the juxtaposition of the commercial and business courses against the molecular biology courses I took. It mixed things up and made it very interesting. It also helped me put a lot of what I learned on the technical side into context of how the science could be realised in a form that could benefit society. It was particularly good having some truly first class professors talking about the excellence they had achieved in their research, but equally hear them share how they had been involved in spin-off companies to apply that research.

What were some of the highlights from your time at UQ?

There are so many great memories. Breaks between lectures with friends at the Great Court and food courts, rare “Eureka” moments in the lab that took months to get to, tutoring junior students when I was in third year, playing social water polo on Thursday nights at the UQ pool; there are literally a load of amazing experiences throughout my time at UQ.

What advice would you give to students looking to start a career in science?

Go for it. The key, however, is not the degree at the end, but the journey you take to get there and what options you give yourself at the end. This is true for any university you attend. For those of you about to embark on your undergraduate days, these are hugely formative years where experiences both in and outside the class room will shape you both professionally and personally.