Look back, and laugh!

I’m officially a Scientist!

Can I “stop and smell the roses?” YES! But first, I have to look back to 2016 and laugh at myself! 2-months post-graduating from UW-Madison with a B.S. in Microbiology, I applied to my first Illumina job…at the Scientist level! Haha!

I’ve always had a healthy obsession “to be a scientist”, but at the time I can’t recall if I was overconfident, ignorant, naïve, or all the above!

Somehow, I brazenly submitted my 1-page resume and glazed over all the Scientist 1 prerequisites. The position undoubtably required a “PhD” in field X, “5+ years of experience” in Y, and “mastery technical knowledge” with technology Z… etc.

Going back to 2015, I still remember my excitement stumbling across an Illumina booth at the fall career fair. I made a connection with an awesome Madison alumnus and employee representing the Illumina site. He kindly extended my resume to the director of operations and shortly after graduating the following spring I was encouraged to apply.

I guess I interpreted that message as “apply to the Scientist 1 role”! LOL! To the surprise of no one, I received the following REJECTION email (see below)! Ha, facepalm! Duh!

What mattered most was the 2^nd paragraph of that rejection email, “…your profile remains in our system and will be considered for other opportunities…” Very shortly afterwards, the site had reclassified the requisition to a Research Associate 1 entry-level position and I was directed to that specific posting.

6-years later, I’m humbled to now have “Scientist 1” accompanying my email signature. And, I can now confidently write “scientist” in form fields asking for my occupation!

So, can I “stop and smell the roses?” YES! But, no more looking inward… I have to shout-out the unwavering support from colleagues across the San Diego, Madison, and Singapore Illumina sites. Sincerely, THANK YOU!

OK, enough sappy reflection of the past…time to focus in the moment!

I can’t help myself, I’m compelled to share my favorite 2-minute life lesson on “the past”, “the present”, and “the future” from 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo: