Finding New Challenges
By Sara Wienke, Class of 2012
You could say that becoming a genetic counselor was “in my genes.” My father, a biologist himself, piqued my interest in genetics in middle school. I wanted to turn this interest into a career that I could love and nurture that would love and nurture me back. People always say that when you do what you love it’s not work, and that’s exactly what genetic counseling is to me (minus the dreaded paperwork).
During school I toyed with the idea of a nontraditional role and even spent a week with InformedDNA and three weeks at LabCorp during the summer in between first and second year. Ultimately, I chose a position that moved me to Charleston, SC because it seemed like a nice place to live, and the role was interesting. Dr. Strange, my supervisor at MUSC, was also interesting. As the Program Coordinator for the Alpha-1 Association’s Genetic Counseling program housed at the Medical University of South Carolina I had opportunities that I couldn’t have dreamed of. In addition to providing telephone based counseling, I was a speaker at many of their education days, which “forced” me to travel to places like Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco. I was able to collaborate with various research partners at Penn State, at MUSC, and even become a committee member for a student at USC and a committee chair for a student at UNCG. Lastly, about 20% of my time was spent in the pediatric and adult cystic fibrosis clinics. I imagined in school that I wanted to be a pediatric counselor and working in the CF clinic filled that need and more. I can’t tell you how much I looked forward to Wednesday mornings in pediatric CF clinic.
Alas, I needed more of a challenge. I still wasn’t sure what I was looking for but being a pediatric counselor in Charleston seemed unattainable, and I have made Charleston my home. I kept my eyes and ears open and an opportunity became available to me at Pathway Genomics. I had no idea how much this new position would change my life for the better. Pathway is an up and coming genetic testing company that is in the process of launching several hereditary cancer tests. Being a member of the marketing, sales and genetics team utilizes many skills that I didn’t even know that I had. Growing up in a family owned tropical fish store, I had more marketing experience than I thought.
I may have only graduated from UNCG two short years ago but my life has changed dramatically in that short time. I have purchased my own home in Charleston with a large back yard for my pups, Oliver and Lola, as well as their step-pup siblings, Zero and Quietman. I have also become an integral member of the community. As a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, I meet with my little sister, Karmen about 4-5 times per month for the past year and a half. I also work with Team in Training to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I truly feel fulfilled by all of these activities. Working with Pathway I am able to stay home with my pups and travel about 35% of the time. I am looking forward to the many opportunities that will open as I continue my career with Pathway. For all of those new graduates and soon to be new graduates: remember, sometimes what you thought you wanted changes, so be flexible. Always try new things; they can only improve you and add to your skillset.