Former Utah BME major, Sage Jensen, was thrilled to have a multifaceted degree and skill set, and remarks on how it set her up for success; she gives earnest advise to students and recent graduates, and hopes to contribute to currents efforts in streamlining production of biological therapeutics.
How did your Biomedical Engineering education and research at the University of Utah impact your vision for your next step? Your internship choice?
I graduated in 2021 with an undergraduate BME degree. Unlike many of my fellow classmates, I felt like I had no idea what I wanted to do after my undergraduate years. My research was interesting, but it was not my passion – I wanted to try something completely new. Biomedical Engineering provided me with a solid foundational skillset, but there were so many options with this degree that the job search was overwhelming. Biotechnology piqued my interest and was something that I had never explored. After many applications (shout out to Dr. Grainger for sending out internship opportunities), I moved to the Bay Area for an internship at Genentech and eventually transitioned to a full-time role there.
Describe your daily work routine at Genentech for me: are these tasks what you had anticipated leaving Utah with your degree and seeking next steps?
I’ve been at Genentech for a year and a half now. My internship was in equipment validation engineering at their Clinical Supply Center; this is a brand new environmentally sustainable facility for the manufacture of small-batch biologics. I helped with projects to bring in and qualify new equipment for GMP use. The work was not at all what I expected, but in a good way. There is so much behind the scenes work that goes into the development of a biologic. Being at the forefront of this process was an absolutely incredible and invaluable experience.
I now work in Cell Banking, where I support efforts to cryopreserve cell lines for use in R&D and in clinical/ commercial biomanufacturing. This role is highly impactful as we create the starting material for almost all bioprocessing runs at Genentech.
What recommendations do you have for BME students regarding their coursework, research, presentations, or any other assets for their future employment?
Don’t be afraid to diversify your coursework: take that “fun class” you’ve been eyeballing since freshman year. If I have one regret from my time at the U, it’s that I didn’t do this. Your personal growth is just as important as your technical skillset.
Networking is EVERYTHING. Start building your network early and respond to the internship or job opportunity emails that the faculty send out: they want to see BME students succeed!
On a final note, it’s okay to feel lost after graduating. Society teaches us that we’re in a race to find the next best thing in life. Set small, attainable goals and try to embrace the present. Work to live, not live to work.
What do you value in the best quality people who work with you on your team?
People who are passionate about what they do tend to stand out and put more effort into their daily work. Find something that inspires you and put all your effort into it with integrity and a quest for knowledge. Those who embrace growth and express gratitude make all of a difference in building a strong team.
What do you enjoy in your leisure time?
Growing up in Utah I picked up the quintessential outdoor hobbies- skiing, mountain biking, climbing, and more. The Bay Area is much more limited on that front (I refuse to drive four hours to ski Tahoe) but there is still surprisingly a lot to do outdoors. I hike or trail run quite a bit and there are endless cultural activities to do in San Francisco- museums, wine tasting, live music, food, you name it.
What do the next 10 years of your career look like to you?
The next generation of biomanufacturing technology is centered around a more automated process and smaller batch production to help diversify the portfolio and streamline the production of biologics to smaller patient populations. I hope to contribute to that cause and continue growing my career in biotech. There is so much more to learn!