Alumni in Action
Caryn Weiss '05
What is your current position and what do you find exciting about it? I currently serve as a Data Engineer within Amway's R&D Business Intelligence department. What I find most exciting is the dynamic nature of the role; no two days are alike, and I'm constantly presented with new challenges and opportunities for growth. My journey here began with a decade in the R&D Analytical Chemistry lab, where I developed a strong aptitude for the software and instrumentation, often being the go-to person for technical solutions. This 'knack for clicking good,' as my colleagues affectionately called it, naturally evolved into a Business System Analyst role during the pandemic, ultimately leading me to my current position where I oversee the global ingestion and maintenance of R&D lab data.
How did your GVSU Chemistry/Biochemistry degree help you prepare for your position? My Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry from GVSU provided a robust scientific foundation, instilling critical thinking, analytical problem-solving, and a systematic approach to data – all essential skills in my current data engineering role. While my initial career path led me to industry, a desire for deeper engagement prompted me to reconnect with my Biochemistry professor, Dr. Brad Wallar. His guidance led me to GVSU's new Master's Degree program in Cell & Molecular Biology with a Biotechnology emphasis. This graduate program, and particularly the invaluable opportunity to work at the Van Andel Research Institute's Mass Spectrometry lab, directly opened the door to Amway R&D. Ultimately, it was the strong academic grounding and the pivotal connections and mentorship cultivated during my undergraduate and graduate studies at GVSU that were instrumental in shaping my career trajectory and bringing me to where I am today.
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