What are your primary job responsibilities?

I am primarily responsible for conducting scientific investigations as part the product development process. My role is tasked with understanding our customer's needs, processes, and preferences, and then advocating for those needs throughout the development cycle. I am also responsible for training our field team, showcasing our products at tradeshows and technical conferences, and conducting product trials in partnership with our customers. 

What is a typical work day-in-your-life like?

I work primarily in the lab and office. I travel regularly to customers sites and tradeshows - I'm in the field roughly 2-3 months of the year.

How did you find your first job?

I started as a contractor and found the posting through various job sites. 

What level of education (Bachelor's, Masters, PhD, etc.) is required to do your job? 

Typically, folks in my field have a higher degree of education (i.e. PhD) but there are opportunities for folk with all types of degrees. 

What is your work schedule like? Do you ever work weekends or nights?

I work mainly during the day. It's hard to maintain a consistent schedule when traveling but it's important to prioritize your health in those moments (eat healthy, exercise, etc.)

Do you travel for work? If so, in what capacity, and how often?

Yes, I travel regularly for work on customer visits, conferences, and product trials. I typically travel for about a week and month for a total of 2-3 months a year. 

What is your work environment like? Do you work mostly with a team or mostly independently Do you stand, sit, or move most of the day?

I am an independent contributor that primarily works with other people. An individual contributor is expected to complete assignments and deliverables independently while contributing to a larger goal or objective. There is not a single day I don't work with other people including my colleagues and customers. 

What are some tools or skills that you can't live without? These can be technologies, soft skills, hardware, or anything else you can think of.

It's important to keep an open mind to others' opinions, backgrounds, and perspectives. I've met so many people all over the world and its important to remain open to new experiences and beliefs. 

What's the best career advice you've ever received? What career advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?

There's no such thing as running out of time to start something. Don't worry about going back to school right away or jumping into the workforce for a perceived "timeline". Just do what's right for you and try to practice gratitude, with yourself and others, as much as possible.