Background: B. Sc. Cell Biology
Completed the Stem Cell Technology Certificate
Current Career: Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Veracyte, Inc.
After completing the stem cell certificate, Jane went on to work as a Clinical Laboratory Assistant at Veracyte, Inc. She then completed her Master's in Clinical Lab Science and now is a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Veracyte, Inc.
Jane (right) giving back through speed networking with current CCSF Biotechnology Students.
Before I started the program, I already had a B.S. in Cellular Biology from UC Davis and I was retaking a lot of pre-requisite classes for Pharmacy school at CCSF while working part time in retail. After graduating from UC Davis, I didn’t really want to go to Pharmacy school, but I didn’t have any other plans and I didn’t even know where to begin looking for a job that related to my major. I had zero confidence. All I had was anxiety and stress from being a bad student at Davis and little to no relevant work experience. Eventually, I decided I didn’t really want to do more school, like grad, pharmacy, or physical therapy school (which I did consider for a very short semester or two). I had no motivation or confidence for more higher education. The cost of doing more school was an issue as well. I was already dealing with undergraduate student debt and with minimum wage part time work it felt like it would take forever to pay back. My biggest concern before entering the biotech program was my ability to gain better, long-term employment. I still very much wanted to work with science in some way, but I was directionless.
I decided to enroll in the Biotech Stem Cell Technology Certificate Program to get more hands on lab experience and a chance to apply for the paid internship. I also really liked my experience with the classes and the instructors at CCSF as well. I definitely felt more connected and encouraged with my instructors at CCSF than I did with most of my instructors from UC Davis.
What I specifically liked about the CCSF Biotech program was that we weren’t just learning a lot of different hands on techniques, we were also learning about the history and the ethics surrounding stem cell technology as well. I was also reminded about how much I enjoyed doing lab work and learning about all the achievements, avenues, and technological progresses of biology. I also felt like I was gaining my confidence back in my ability to learn something and to do well in my studies and my work.
I think I enjoyed the PCR classes the most and learning about all the different things we could study or achieve with PCR. I think the Wolbachia lab in my PCR class really re-ignited my passion for learning more and wanting to work in the bio/biotech industry. Also, the kind words and the recognition I received from my various instructors really stood out to me and helped me as well.
Even though I didn’t do the internship in the end, I was still surprised with how much I was able to gain out of the program. I was also happy with how I was able to gain some of my confidence back and maybe gain more than I ever had before in my ability to learn and do well. Just believing in myself was a difficulty for me after leaving UC Davis, so I was really appreciative of the instructors in the program and even most of the other instructors I had at CCSF. They really try to connect with the students and to give them encouragement and as many resources as possible to help the students reach their best potential and grow. That’s what made me the happiest about completing the CCSF biotech program.
After the program, it took a few months to land my first full time job, but I was surprised at how surprised they seemed with my knowledge and my ability. I am now currently at a different company from before and even though I don’t have as many chances to use the skills and techniques I learned from the program, I still think I am a better version of me. I am less unsure of myself and I am able to appreciate and understand the biotechnology behind the work my company does to help society. I am also glad I have a network and people/program I can still connect with even after finishing the program.
I feel that I am now better prepared for my future career because I have more skills, more confidence, more knowledge, and more connections. I was able to land my first job in biotech in a microbiology food safety lab because they were impressed that I took entire courses on PCR and ELISA and of the passion that I had for lab work and their uses. I am now currently working in a diagnostic genomics lab that uses genomic sequencing classifiers to help diagnose indeterminate pathology results for lung and thyroid cancer.
The advice I would give to current and future students would be to be patient, focus on their own personal growth versus comparing themselves to other people’s progress, to believe in their ability, and to take advantage of all their resources. Don’t dwell so much on the past, but instead look to the future. Think about what they can do to improve, ask questions, and keep learning. Any achievement, no matter how small, is still an achievement. Focus on the positive. Keep an open mind. Try your best.
As a student of the Biotech program, I would tell them to expect to learn new things and to gain a new perspective on the world and to biotechnology itself. I would tell them to expect personal growth as well as growth in their skills and their knowledge. I would tell them to expect to gain new connections and a network of people that will always be there to help them as long as they’re open to it.
Find more CCSF Biotechnology alumni stories HERE
