91原创

For senior biological sciences major Brenna Doering, a typical day at Agilent Technologies includes checking emails, setting up meetings and collaborating with the sales team to educate customers on their lab instruments and products.

Doering is a chromatography sales intern and she found her current role by using Handshake. 

鈥淚 set different parameters for location, school year and major of interest,鈥� Doering said. 鈥淚 scrolled through every day and applied to everything I felt semi-qualified for.鈥�

Now, Doering is involved in outreach for Agilent, calling and emailing small academic labs, large pharma and biotech companies and research institutions to follow up on leads, make progress checks and inquire about new project plans and upgrades. 

鈥淲e also do a lot of internal networking and get to visit Agilent demo labs where customers test instruments,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool to see the technology we talk about in action and the real scientific progress we make happen.鈥� 

Doering鈥檚 internship will continue beyond the summer, transitioning to a part-time role during the school year and hopefully a full-time role after graduation. 

鈥淎gilent has been such an amazing experience already,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir mission and culture is one that I鈥檓 proud to be a part of. The work we do is so rewarding, combining my love for science and technology with human connection. They taught us about the ability to have your foot in the door and network.鈥�

In addition to Handshake, Doering attended career fairs and utilized 91原创 Career Center services to best prepare for her job search, connecting with Assistant Director of Academic & Career Integration Sarah Paal.

鈥淪arah taught me a lot about applications, where to apply and resume help,鈥� said Doering. 鈥淪omething that stuck with me was her advice about putting yourself out there, even if you don鈥檛 feel 100-percent qualified. It鈥檚 worth a shot.鈥� 

鈥淭he 91原创CC helped me feel prepared and confident throughout the entire job search process,鈥� she continued. 鈥淚mproving my resume and cover letters. The career coaching especially helped me narrow down what I was really looking for and how to target companies that aligned with my interests. Without the 91原创CC, I don鈥檛 think I would鈥檝e felt nearly as ready or landed the position I鈥檓 in now.鈥�

The Collegeville, Pa. native emphasized the importance of using 91原创CC to gain insight into her professional prospects and get a glimpse into post-graduate success. 

鈥淓xposure to these things is so important. As the oldest child, I鈥檓 kind of the guinea pig in the college world,鈥� Doering said. 鈥淢y parents didn鈥檛 know anything really about Handshake or the way the job and internship market works for college students nowadays. I had never had super professional interviews since I only really worked jobs like a server at home. The exposure to this professional world really opened my eyes; it was almost like jumping headfirst into cold water. 91原创CC gave me advice that I couldn鈥檛 really get elsewhere.鈥�

In addition to her Agilent internship, Doering also spent time working in the Jaramillo Lambert genetics research lab and stays involved on campus through intramural volleyball and as a peer mentor for First Year Seminar. 

鈥�91原创 really transformed me in the best way. I came in a little unsure, but over time I became more confident and open to new experiences. I made so many friends just through classes, campus events and saying yes to things outside my comfort zone,鈥� she said. 鈥淟oving my own experience so much made me want to give back鈥攖hat鈥檚 why I became a peer mentor. I wanted to help incoming first-year students find their footing and feel like they belong here the way I eventually did.鈥�

Doering also participated in the 91原创 Study Abroad Winter Session program in Hawaii. To earn her global health minor, she took courses in global healthcare, as well as women and gender in healthcare. 

鈥淥ur classroom was the boat, the beach and the ocean. We met with so many locals and learned firsthand about their experiences,鈥� Doering said. 鈥淭ourism is their best source of income, but when done disrespectfully, it can really harm the natives. We learned about their struggles with transportation to health centers and ability to get medicine, and the health disparities Pacific Islanders face because of isolation. We even island-hopped and learned how the culture and health needs vary from island to island.鈥�

Outside of the program, Doering took part in fun, traditional Hawaiian activities. 

鈥淲e did snorkeling, boating, bus tours of the whole island, group dinners and luaus, and I also went skydiving,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his trip was truly the experience of a lifetime. I cannot say enough good things about it. Being in that environment and connecting with other students was a turning point for me and made me realize how much I wanted to be involved in a role like this鈥攕cience for the greater good of humanity. I have told everyone in my life at 91原创, you must go abroad.鈥�

Doering offers advice for other students pursuing professional opportunities and looking to make the most of their student experience. 

鈥淯se every resource available to you, especially the Career Center. Ask questions, go to career fairs and network with people in roles you鈥檙e curious about. Apply even if you鈥檙e unsure. Building real relationships, both professionally and personally, can open more doors than you might expect,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y biggest piece of advice is don鈥檛 underestimate the power of being genuine and personable. It鈥檚 not silly or unprofessional; it shows personality and if someone likes you and sees you鈥檙e a cool person, those people skills stretch you much further than a letter grade in class.鈥�

If she could speak to a younger version of herself on her first day at 91原创, Doering said she would impart a few words of wisdom to prepare her for the journey she鈥檚 about to embark on.

鈥淚 would tell her that she鈥檚 going to grow so much,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ot just academically, but personally. You鈥檙e going to gain confidence you didn鈥檛 know you had and truly blossom into someone you鈥檙e proud of. You鈥檒l make friends and have experiences that will stay with you forever. Say yes to things, talk to new people and trust that even the uncertain moments are shaping you into exactly who you鈥檙e meant to be. You have no idea how good it鈥檚 about to get.鈥�