Angel, Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co.: Advize Career Interview

Angel Torres, an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co., offers a compelling career path showcasing the transferability of skills from the defense industry to biotech.

A UC Davis graduate with a diverse academic background, this individual leverages strong interpersonal skills and a "good dude theory" approach to successfully manage capital expenditure projects within a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

The work contributes to the development of life-saving medicines, fulfilling a desire to serve a cause larger than oneself.

While challenges exist, including bridging industry-specific knowledge gaps, the individual's commitment to continuous learning, demonstrated through an MBA pursuit and self-reflection, is inspiring.

The interview highlights the importance of humility, listening skills, and embracing a diverse worldview in achieving professional success, particularly within the dynamic and innovative biotech industry.

Entry-level opportunities in quality assurance, quality control, manufacturing, and internships are readily available for those with backgrounds in biosciences, engineering, and supply management.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Angel Torres

Assistant Program Manager

American Biotech Co.

University of California, Davis

University of Oklahoma, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (2022); University of California, Los Angeles, Masters in Business Administration (2025)

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Political Science, American Studies

Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical

Operations and Project Management

Disabled, Scholarship Recipient, Veteran

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Career Path Of An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech Co.

Angel, an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co., manages the integration of capital expenditure projects, ensuring "the site's manufacturing processes are not being affected," and supports the program manager with individual projects, overseeing design, construction, and the crucial FDA-compliant commissioning and qualification processes. This multifaceted role showcases expertise in project management within a highly regulated industry.

Career Path Of An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech Co.

Responsibilities of an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co.

Angel's day as an Assistant CapEx Project Delivery Program Manager at American Biotech Co. begins with a leadership meeting providing logistical and safety updates for ongoing projects within the 24/7 manufacturing plant, ensuring "we're not affecting the manufacturing process". The remainder of the day involves coordinating project requirements across various departments, holding weekly meetings to prevent project conflicts, and personally managing projects to maintain timelines and avoid impacting operations, prioritizing "making the product so we can continue to support and take care of our patients".

Responsibilities of an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co.

A Day In The Life Of An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech Co.

Angel, an Assistant Program Manager, emphasizes that the most crucial skill is "people skills," advocating for treating everyone with respect regardless of position – a "good dude theory" approach. This "cross-functional leadership" necessitates influencing others to achieve project goals, relying not on authority but on strong interpersonal skills to foster effective teamwork and ultimately successful project outcomes.

A Day In The Life Of An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech Co.

Most Important Skills for an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co.

Angel, an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co., finds fulfillment in their current role through "serving a cause bigger than self," a value stemming from prior service roles within various government departments. This is realized by the company's patient-centric approach, regularly reinforced by patient testimonials, allowing Angel to contribute to the creation and delivery of life-saving medicines, "making sure that medicines are available and safely produced."

Most Important Skills for an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co.

Challenges Of Being An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech Co.

Angel's biggest challenge as an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co. is translating skills from the defense industry to the biotech industry, a hurdle overcome by the security of a military pension and pursuit of a UCLA MBA to bolster "academic credibility" and "speak intelligently about business practices." The process highlights the importance of transferable skills when changing industries.

Challenges Of Being An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech Co.

Why I Love Being an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co.

Angel's greatest professional satisfaction stems from contributing to "something bigger than self," specifically, the development of life-improving cell therapies and vaccines at American Biotech Co. This sense of purpose, of adding to "longevity," provides a deep sense of accomplishment and pride in their work.

Why I Love Being an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Biotech Industry as an Assistant Program Manager

Angel, an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co., highlights the industry's innovative spirit, noting its origins "on a paper napkin" and the need for individuals to be "comfortable with uncertainty." Success requires "thinking outside the box" and embracing change, lest one become a "blockbuster or any other fortune 500 company that does not last."

Favorite Parts of Working in the Biotech Industry as an Assistant Program Manager

What Type of Person Thrives in the Biotech Industry According to an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co

Angel, an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co., wishes they had "learned more about biological sciences" before entering the industry, as a background in political science left them initially lacking technical expertise. However, this lack of knowledge surprisingly fosters "a humble heart" and strong listening skills, allowing for effective collaboration and project planning.

What Type of Person Thrives in the Biotech Industry According to an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co

What An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech Co Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Biotech Industry

American Biotech Co. offers various entry-level positions, with "the most common...folks in the biosciences" in quality assurance, quality control, or manufacturing, often progressing to management roles. The company also has an extensive internship program recruiting from local universities, seeking candidates with backgrounds in microbiology and biotechnology, as well as those with skills in engineering and supply management.

What An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech Co Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Biotech Industry

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Assistant Program Managers

Angel, an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co., emphasizes the importance of "humility and listening" for career success, highlighting the continuous learning process and the need to actively seek and decipher information to make sound judgments as a leader. This approach, in Angel's experience, directly impacts decision-making and overall professional development.

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Assistant Program Managers

College Experiences That Helped an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co. Succeed

Angel, an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co., emphasizes the importance of "humility and listening" for career success, stating that "you cannot know everything," and this approach improves decision-making by enabling information seeking and effective discernment. The ability to listen and decipher information is crucial for development as a leader in any profession.

College Experiences That Helped an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co. Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech's Career

Angel, an Assistant Program Manager at American Biotech Co., credits their undergraduate success to a broad, diverse curriculum at UC Davis, embracing classes far beyond their political science major – from "intro to Avian Sciences" to "women in West Africa" – to cultivate a wider worldview and develop empathy. This approach, in their view, fostered a crucial ability to "see the world from a bigger perspective," a skillset highly valuable in their current career.

How Identity Has Influenced An Assistant Program Manager At American Biotech's Career

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