Yellow Jacket Alumni Highlight Their Career Journeys

College of Sciences students — from first-year students to Ph.D. candidates — enjoyed an informative and frequently humorous career panel on September 25, 2024, featuring alumni from the Schools of Biological Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Psychology. Co-sponsored by the Georgia Tech Career Center and the College of Sciences, the “What Can I Do with my Georgia Tech Science Degree (Life Sciences)” panel provided an opportunity for alumni to share career advice and outline their sometimes-circuitous career paths.

“We do alumni panels because it’s a great way for students to learn and network with alumni like them, former Tech students who have walked this campus, listening to the Whistle in the background and cheering for the Jackets on the Flats,” says College of Sciences Career Educator James Stringfellow, who moderated the event alongside Graduate Career Development Officer Catharine Groover.

First-year neuroscience major Kali Breckley is currently on a pre-med track. She attended the event to discover what else she can do with her major.

“I learned about opportunities I could see myself pursuing in the future, and it gave me a better big-picture outlook for what my life could look like after my undergraduate degree is complete,” says Breckley.

“I enjoyed meeting distinguished GT alumni eager to share wisdom and help students on their academic journeys,” adds Yusuf Ismail, an applied physiology Ph.D. student. "The event was extremely beneficial, allowing us to network with alumni and gain valuable connections.”

The panel included Atlanta-based alumni at various stages in their careers. Although they came from many different industries, they all had one thing in common — joy in their chosen professions. 

Panel Insights

• “Your future job will value you for how you think, not only for what you know. I’m a big believer in the scientific method and that almost any problem can be tackled if you channel those principles and dissect the problem to figure it out.” Justin Burns, B.S. BIO 2005, Ph.D. BIO 2010, Georgia Research Alliance;
• “Everything you learn at Georgia Tech will carry through with you for the rest of your life. It’s not just science you learn here. It’s about the experiences and the relationships you build, including the unique style of problem-solving that will become a part of your brand.” Anthony Diaz, B.S. EAS 2001, The Coca-Cola Company;
• “While you’re in school, adopt a ‘hungry hungry hippo’ approach to life, gobbling up knowledge and opportunities. You want to be so good at what you do that you're ‘dangerous’ — dangerous in a positive way because you're incredibly capable and generate immense impact.” Austin Hope,  B.S. PSY 2014, Google;
• “Develop a pitch explaining who you are that captures a person’s attention. Get comfortable with that pitch and be ready to use it, even when standing in line at the movie theater. My one-on-one interactions have helped get my foot in the door for interviews and subsequently jobs.” Maureen Metcalf, M.S. BIO 2014, Deloitte;
• “Leverage your network and get introductions to the people in that company that can connect you with the hiring manager. Get in front of a person and show your personality. Let them see you’re more than a piece of paper with a bullet-pointed list of accomplishments.” Kristel Topping, Ph.D., APPH 2021, The Home Depot;
• “My best advice is to be flexible and seek out mentors at all stages of your career. I’ve been in private industry, academia, and the federal government. In all of those places, I’ve learned something. I never expected to be where I am today, but I feel incredibly lucky to be in a position with the CDC where I can make a daily difference.” David Williamson, B.S. BIO 1973, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• “Practice your soft skills, especially communication, now. Speak in your classes. Talk to your professors about their research. Get excited to talk about the work you and your friends are already doing. When you are hired, those soft skills will be even more important. Your technical skills may be amazing, but you must also communicate why your research results are important to your company.” Ashley Zuniga, B.S. BCHM 2014, Geovax.

Coming Up Next

Alumni and students who enjoy networking and discussing career options are encouraged to attend the College of Sciences Student & Alumni Leadership Dinner on October 30, 2024, at the Georgia Tech Alumni House. Students can register via CareerBuzz. Alumni interested in future career events are encouraged to contact College of Sciences Director of Alumni Relations Leslie Roberts.