We have so many stellar Options alumni, and in our new series, we wanted to shine a light on a few of our past clients who have gone on to do great things both near and far. This month, we chatted with Annie about what she’s been up to since she graduated and her advice for current post-secondary students.
What’s Your Name?
Annie.
Where and what did you study?
Santa Clara University, Bioengineering.
How did you choose this institution and program?
One of the reasons I chose SCU is because I liked the small class sizes. The small size of the bioengineering department allowed me to build really great relationships with many of the faculty members who were truly invested in helping me succeed. Also, the school’s location in Silicon Valley puts graduates in close proximity to so many great companies. I liked the school so much that I stayed another two years to complete my master’s degree!
Would your high school self be surprised with where you ended up?
Yes, I think so! If I told my current job title to my high school self, I don’t think I would have had any idea what it meant. Going to school in an area with so many different biotech companies helped expose me to a wide variety of opportunities in the field.
What are you doing now?
I am a CMC Operations Senior Manager at the Stanford Center for Cancer Cell Therapy. I oversee the manufacturing of CAR T Cell therapies for investigator-initiated clinical trials at Stanford.
What at Options Solutions helped you the most?
Navigating the application process to US schools as a Canadian student is difficult, especially with standardized testing. The test prep I did at Options Solutions helped me feel much more prepared when it came time to take the actual SAT or ACT. Also, Melinda’s recommendations for schools were amazing! I never would have found a small school like SCU if she hadn’t recommended it to me.
A fun fact about you?
I picked up golf during the pandemic, and I’m terrible, but if you’re ever at Stanford Golf Course, you might see me there.
