Diverse Routes: Career Journeys in Science & Medicine

Episode Highlights: What science writers actually do all day How freelancers land clients without constantly pitching themselves The hidden role science writers play in securing research funding Timestamps: 0:30 - What is a Science Writer? 2:09 - What does a typical day look like? 12:37 - What do you enjoy? 15:27 - What do you dislike? 20:06 - How does your career compare to your initial aspiratio...

Episode Highlights: Why food science might be one of the most recession-proof STEM careers How to know if you chose the right career path What first-generation students aren’t told about choosing a major Timestamps: 0:32 - What is a Food Scientist? 1:57 - What does a typical day look like? 9:09 - What do you enjoy? 12:40 - What do you dislike? 16:44 - How does your career compare to your initial a...

Episode Highlights: The shocking truth about the transition from academia to industry How she built her own startup in undergrad Navigating the hidden VISA gauntlet international STEM grads face in the US job market Timestamps: 0:27 - What is an Electrical Engineer/Materials Scientist? 7:32 - What does a typical day look like? 9:58 - What do you enjoy? 15:57 - What do you dislike? 20:43 - How does...

Episode Highlights: How to get paid to learn about cutting-edge science (without running experiments) Why you might not have to choose between art and science after all The day-to-day of freelance work (it might surprise you) Timestamps: 1:33 - What is a medical illustrator? 4:25 - What does a typical day look like? 6:44 - What do you enjoy? 14:43 - What do you dislike? 17:27 - How does your caree...

Episode Highlights: Why college freshmen struggle with chemistry (and why it’s not their fault) How an unfulfilled childhood career dream can still put you on the right path What it’s really like to take an Army ROTC scholarship as a first-generation student Timestamps: 0:40 - What is a chemist? 2:14 - What does a typical day look like? 3:44 - What do you enjoy? 5:23 - What do you dislike? 23:47 -...

Episode Highlights: Learn how to think like a consultant starting with the lingo (proactive vs. reactive) How changing your major six times can lead to career clarity, not chaos What really happens after academic burnout — and how to rebuild a fulfilling career Timestamps: 0:28 - What is an Ecological & Sustainability Consultant? 1:36 - What does a typical day look like? 16:33 - What do you en...

Episode Highlights: What it really takes to build a biotech startup from scratch Why your medical speciality isn’t as fixed as you think How to navigate your job search while employed  Timestamps: Dr. Darrell Marshall Original episode aired 2/8/2023 ( Episode 16 ) 0:33 - What are you up to now since we last spoke? 6:01 - What drew you to this new opportunity? 9:41 - What does a typical day look li...

[SPECIAL SERIES] This episode is part of a special 3-part Career Coaching Series , where each coach at Success in Science shares their unique career journey in STEM. Guided by a set of thoughtful questions, the series explores pivotal moments like choosing a major, navigating graduate school, landing that first science job, and making bold career pivots. Along the way, you’ll hear candid reflectio...

[SPECIAL SERIES] This episode is part of a special 3-part Career Coaching Series , where each coach at Success in Science shares their unique career journey in STEM. Guided by a set of thoughtful questions, the series explores pivotal moments like choosing a major, navigating graduate school, landing that first science job, and making bold career pivots. Along the way, you’ll hear candid reflectio...

[SPECIAL SERIES] This episode is Part I of a special 3-part Career Coaching Series , where each coach at Success in Science shares their unique career journey in STEM. Guided by a set of thoughtful questions, the series explores pivotal moments like choosing a major, navigating graduate school, landing that first science job, and making bold career pivots. Along the way, you’ll hear candid reflect...

Episode Highlights: Core responsibilities of a software engineer vs. a manager When to prioritize in-person roles vs. remote roles How to build a fulfilling career without having it all figured out at the start Timestamps: 0:27 - What is a Software Engineer? 1:47 - What does a typical day look like? 6:40 - What do you enjoy? 14:53 - What do you dislike? 19:48 - How does your career compare to your...

Episode Highlights: Innovative devices that reduced the need for lifelong medication Working with and managing stakeholder expectations Why saying “yes” early in your career can accelerate career clarity Timestamps: 0:36 - What is a Clinical Research Director? 5:39 - What does a typical day look like? 15:35 - What do you enjoy? 27:52 - What do you dislike? 42:06 - How does your career compare to y...

Episode Highlights: Navigating school as a non-traditional student The best and worst parts of working the night shift The critical role MLS professionals play in a hospital ER Timestamps: 0:19 - What is a Medical Laboratory Scientist? 5:26 - What does a typical day look like? 9:42 - What do you enjoy? 12:42 - What do you dislike? 15:05 - How does your career compare to your initial aspirations? 2...

Episode Highlights: How to turn your love for writing and drawing into a science career Why you should read those random university emails Why scientists shouldn’t stop at publishing in journals Timestamps: 0:55 - What is a Science Communicator? 7:42 - What does a typical day look like? 13:16 - What do you enjoy? 25:33 - What do you dislike? 37:08 - How does your career compare to your initial asp...

Episode Highlights: The surprising power of knocking on a professor’s door (even if you’re an introvert) How to return to your career after 10+ years away—and still thrive This one mindset shift that will change how you see career paths and options in science Timestamps: 0:22 - What is an Astrophysicist? 5:11 - What does a typical day look like? 9:59 - What do you enjoy? 11:29 - What do you dislik...

Episode Highlights: Leveraging the interdisciplinary nature of the tech industry A surprisingly important softskill you will need as a data engineer  Top AI ‘assistants’ for coders and programmers Timestamps: 0:27 - What is a Data Engineer (Specialist Solutions Architect)? 4:49 - What does a typical day look like? 9:18 - What do you enjoy? 10:45 - What do you dislike? 11:38 - How does your career...

Episode Highlights: Creating your own job title, when the existing options don’t fit How one conversation can lead to your first job   Unexpected benefits and drawbacks about entrepreneurship Timestamps: 0:20 - What is an Earth and Space Educational Consultant? 2:27 - What does a typical day look like? 5:13 - What do you enjoy? 6:43 - What do you dislike? 9:55 - How does your career compare to you...

Episode Highlights: Navigating doubts about your graduate program after you start Advocating for your life goals while advancing your career Resigning from a faculty job, but continuing your own research Timestamps: 0:26 - What is a geologist (in industry)? 2:52 - What does a typical day look like? 6:12 - What do you enjoy? 8:59 - What do you dislike? 17:26 - How does your career compare to your i...

About Our Guest: Hilary Eisen is the Conservation Policy Director at Winter Wildlands Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering people to protect America’s wild snowscapes. She works with grassroot partners, agency staff, and elected officials on National Forest winter travel management, forest planning, and other policy issues. Hilary started her career in public la...

Dr. Delaney Dann is a Career & Professional Development Manager at Scripps, a nonprofit biomedical research institute in San Diego, CA. With a background in molecular biology, including a BS in biology, a couple years in the biotech industry, and a PhD in biology Delaney had her sights on becoming a university biology professor. But during the interview process, realized that a faculty role wa...

Dr. James Mantas is an Emergency Medicine Physician at Stony Brook. Originally from upstate New York, James earned his undergraduate degree at Hartwick College, then was the assistant basketball coach at Skidmore University before heading to medical school and earning his MD at New York Medical College. Episode Highlights: How not to pick a college How to get into med school Life as a student athl...

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 a...

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...

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 Extend...

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 automa...