Career Path of an Associate Scientist at EMD Serono
Matthew's career path began with a unique undergraduate education combining chemistry and philosophy at Hamilton College, followed by EMT training and organic chemistry experience. This led to roles at a biotech startup and, ultimately, Matthew's current position as an Associate Scientist at EMD Serono, where they "make novel molecules every single day" in a "tight-knit" pharmaceutical community.
Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals, Problem-solving, Career Development, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Matthew Bleich
Associate Scientist
EMD Serono
Hamilton College 2018
UCLA Anderson Full-Time MBA
Humanities, Chemistry, Philosophy
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical
Research and Development (R&D)
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Matthew's combined study of chemistry and philosophy demonstrates a unique approach to problem-solving, blending technical skills with critical thinking.
2. His early experience as an EMT provided an introduction to healthcare, influencing his career path.
3. His role as an Associate Scientist at EMD Serono offered valuable experience in pharmaceutical research and development, highlighting the collaborative nature of the industry and its potential for innovation and problem-solving.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college and any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
Absolutely. I went to school at Hamilton College, a small liberal arts college in Upstate New York. There, I studied chemistry and philosophy.
I viewed chemistry as a technical language with right and wrong answers, while philosophy is more open-minded. It allowed me to use the other side of my brain to think about how to approach and solve problems.
During my time there, I spent my first summer working towards my EMT license to get an introduction into healthcare. At that point, I didn't know if I wanted to be a doctor.
This led me to my next roles. I worked at a small biotech startup in the Bay Area called Prosetta Bioscience, where I ran some assays. After school, I went immediately to a pharmaceutical company, EMD Serono.
I was hired as an associate scientist in their Medicinal Chemistry department. This was a great launching point for a career in pharmaceuticals. You're tasked with making novel molecules every day.
It stretches you and pushes your technical knowledge and how you research and think about problems no one has ever solved. Pharma is also a very tight-knit community. Once you get your foot in the door, you get to know many people across different areas, companies, and levels.
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