Success Stories

Paris

Manufacturing Associate
PathSensors
Graduated 2018

Paris, a single, 19-year old mother, completed the BioSTART to Lab Associates Training in 2018 along with an internship at PathSensors, a leading biotechnology and environmental testing company. During her internship, BTI received reports that Paris remained focused, showed initiative, was eager to learn and was a true team player.

Near the end of her internship, she let the CEO know that she wanted to stay on with the company permanently. He was thrilled, and he coached her on how to negotiate her first employment contract. The company offered her $14.00 per hour plus full benefits. After a four-month temporary contract, Paris was then promoted as a permanent hire as a Manufacturing Lab Technician.

In her new role, she supervises interns and new staff members. As noted by the human resources manager, “Paris is extremely energetic and brings such positive energy to the workplace for the entire team.”

Paris attributes her success to BTI’s training, support and guidance. Paris has met her personal goals and is launching a career with a life full of potential, financial stability and economic mobility.

Julia

Lab Assistant
Catalant
Graduated 2019

Julia, a 28-year old single mother, showed a positive attitude, dedication and commitment to BTI’s program and her future career development despite her personal challenges. During training, she lost her father to a prolonged illness. The next day, her twin brother passed away from an epileptic seizure. BTI worked with her to make up the necessary assignments, lectures and labs she missed. Upon her return, she remained enthusiastic and optimistic.

It was this resilience, her positive outlook and her excitement for potential opportunities that won over Catalent’s Director of Talent Acquisition. Julia began working at Catalent on July 8, 2019 as a Lab Assistant,  increasing her salary by 31 percent. Feedback from Catalent was, “It was Julia’s passion and enthusiasm in addition to her experience from BTI that secured her the role.”

Arnique

Laboratory Technician
Pathology Department
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Graduated 2018

Arnique experienced BTI in 2005 and 2006 as a high school student attending the Summer BioWorks Program, designed to introduce rising juniors and seniors to careers in the life sciences. When Arnique graduated from high school, she pursued opportunities in retail management, but never felt that this career path was a good fit. She realized that she always loved the sciences and decided to apply for BTI’s BioSTART to Lab Associates Program.

As she explains, “I came full circle with the sciences. BTI’s program has been an amazing experience. My internship at Johns Hopkins has led to my career position at Hopkins in which I am excelling in and using all the skills I learned at BTI. In fact, our lab members (the post-docs and research techs) are very impressed with the knowledge I gained from the BTI Program.”