Laura Elliott, MOL Class of 2020

Undergraduate Degree:  Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State University

Job Accepted:  I’ll be starting at Chatham Financial this July as an Analyst in Capital Markets and Corporate Finance.

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream Flavor: Death by Chocolate (and Scholar’s Chip)

Q: How do you think your STEM background brought a different perspective to the program than others?

A: One of my favorite parts of the MOL program is getting to interact with classmates from many different backgrounds and who have diverse experiences.  In my case, my STEM background afforded me the ability to participate in the scientific research community, so I often drew upon the skills practiced in those experiences in solving problems, doing cases, and preparing presentations with my MOL student team.  What really allowed me to grow in the MOL program, though, was seeing how others in my team approached problems.  I felt that my teams had the most success when we leveraged the skills and experiences of everyone in our team.

Q: How do you feel your science background has helped you within the program? How have you tied in your prior knowledge/skills into the classroom?

A: I think that my science background has allowed me to develop several skills that have been helpful in the MOL program.  Generally, I think that the experience of doing scientific research and studying biological systems helped me a lot with analytical skills and being aware of the importance of detailed analysis, and it also helped me with perseverance and creativity.  In research, sometimes experiments don’t work, or you encounter unexpected results.  Having the ability to problem-solve, think through solutions, and communicate with others in your field is crucial in science, and it’s important in business, as well.

Q: Did anything surprise you about the program having come from a STEM background? Did you find some things more difficult than others?  Why?

A: I think one thing that I have really loved about the MOL program is the depth of discussions in the classroom and the breadth of skills that I have been able to develop.  I completed Smeal’s certificate in business fundamentals as an undergraduate at Penn State along with my science major, and I was looking to further deepen my business skills.  The MOL certainly delivered. Graduates of STEM programs must know crucial concepts in their field and how to “speak the language” of STEM.  Similarly, with my MOL graduation approaching, I am happy to feel that I have developed my ability to further participate in in-depth business discussions, too.

I have also really enjoyed some of the more quantitative analyses of problems that we have done in MOL classes such as statistics, economics, and marketing analytics.  Any opportunity to build analytical and communication skills is of importance to me.

Q: How have you leveraged your science background with your MOL Degree outside of the classroom/in the job search?

A: I do think that my science background has helped me in my job search, as I could talk about the skills I have gained from my research experiences and the transferable skills that I have gained from science.  In my opinion, a lot of the job search is simply finding what you are passionate about, thinking about how your skills apply to that, and making a commitment to developing skills that will help you reach your goals.  I really enjoyed my finance class in undergrad, and, coming into the MOL program, I knew that finance and consulting were interests.  I was able to talk to prospective employers about the quantitative, qualitative, and analytical skills I gained from science and show what I had done to pursue my interest in business.  I am happy to feel as if I really found a match with Chatham Financial.

Q: Is there anything you wish you had known prior to entering the program that you know now?

A: I was fortunate to enter the MOL program feeling prepared due to what I had learned from information sessions, the MOL Accepted Students Day, and the summer tasks and information that the MOL program provided me.  If I could do one thing differently in my MOL experience, I think it would be encouraging myself to reach out to and learn from others even sooner.  Even over the summer before beginning the MOL program, those in the MOL admissions office and professors are there to help you, and I feel that you can always learn something from those around you.

Q: If you were to give any advice to incoming science majors, what would you tell them?

A: My advice for incoming science majors is ultimately the same as the advice I would give to any incoming MOL student:  your MOL experience is what you make of it.  It’s okay to not know exactly what field you would like to enter after the MOL program, and it’s important to explore all of your options.  Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from your professors and peers in the MOL program, and, ultimately, make sure that whatever you decide in terms of career options is what you feel is right for you.  I’ve always felt that good things happen when you know that you have passion for what you do and can demonstrate this to others.