Discover how Jenna Gallegos transitioned from academia to a fulfilling career in biotech marketing.
Jenna Gallegos always loved science, but she didn’t realize how she could combine her passion for science communication and writing with a career until later in her academic journey. After earning degrees in molecular biology and plant biotechnology, Jenna carved out opportunities to develop critical skills in science writing. Her experiences spanning research, journalism, and biotech marketing ultimately led Jenna to her current role as Director of Client Services at Samba Scientific, a life sciences marketing agency.
Fostering An Early Love of Science
Jenna’s fascination with science started early:
“I remember in middle school learning punnet squares and thinking that that was super cool.”
She dove deeper into genetics during her molecular biology program, but still wasn’t sure of specific career pathways besides research or medicine. While pursuing her PhD in plant biotechnology, Jenna discovered genetic engineering and agricultural applications, which further ignited her interest:
“I got really excited about that. And so I did a PhD in plant biotechnology because at that time, there weren’t really commercially available products in the gene editing space outside of agriculture.”
Even as she focused on research, Jenna started doing more communication and outreach because she loved talking about science with others. This hands-on experience with writing, blogging, developing activities and videos sparked the idea of a career at the intersection of science and communication.
Pivoting From Academia to Industry
A summer internship with Monsanto showed Jenna the fast pace of industry innovations, but limitations on outward communication dampened her excitement. After earning her PhD, a fellowship opportunity pulled Jenna towards science journalism:
“I spent some time, writing, working as a science journalist for the Washington Post, So got a little bit more exposure to that science communication area.”
Jenna ultimately felt drawn back to biotech, so she pursued a postdoctoral position before starting as a technical writer with Samba Scientific. Reflecting on her nonlinear path, Jenna emphasizes being open to exploring interests outside academia, as well as not being afraid to be the one asking questions or acknowledging gaps in knowledge within a new environment.
Overcoming Challenges: Asking Questions and Thinking Creatively
Early in her role at Samba, Jenna observed some common pitfalls of scientists transitioning into marketing. Sometimes scientists hyper focus on technical details without considering the customer perspective. Other times, rigid thinking prevents them from breaking formulas to grab attention. She reflects:
“I think that we can sometimes fall into that with marketing too, and so it can get formulaic. And so then people are afraid to break that formula and actually do something that’s going to be attention grabbing and different and interesting.”
Jenna recommends leaning into curiosity and creative thinking to overcome these challenges:
“The more different types of activities you do, the broader skill set you’re gonna develop.”
Asking questions and pursuing passions outside work can reveal unexpected skills and opportunities over time.
Keys to Success: Communication, Curiosity, and Self-Direction
Given her multifaceted career trajectory, what wisdom does Jenna impart to those considering a transition from research to biotech business roles?
“Do the best job you can in whatever you’re doing right now. And if you do that, it will lead to other opportunities.”
She highlights the importance of flexing communication muscles through writing for broader audiences. Framing experiments and data to share compelling stories demonstrates valuable skills beyond academic settings.
Additionally, Jenna advises seeking informational conversations with professionals already in roles you may be interested in pursuing. Their insights can prove invaluable for deciding fit and planning next steps.
Above all, Jenna champions embracing curiosity, self-directed learning, and pushing beyond the routine:
“Don’t just do what you need to do for that job. Do things outside of it.”
The right blend of focus and openness to new directions can carry biotech professionals to unforeseen but fulfilling career destinations.
Expand Your Horizons in Biotech
Jenna’s journey illustrates just one of the many routes biotech professionals can take to align academic training with business applications. If Jenna’s story resonates with you, explore the ever-expanding opportunities available on Greatness.bio’s job board today. With an abundance of roles spanning research, business strategy, marketing, and more, companies are seeking skilled scientists to drive innovations that improve health and sustainability globally.
What’s your next move towards greatness?