Alumni Spotlight: Jordan Ruggieri
Regional Marketing Manager for a Fortune 500 biotech company
Major & Concentration:
CSUF, Biological Science, Cellular and Developmental Biology, B.S., 2013
MBA from CSU Monterey Bay, 2020
What are you doing now?
I am a Regional Marketing Manager for a Fortune 500 biotech company. I oversee qPCR products in North America and am responsible for marketing campaigns and sales training. I help identify qPCR products that are critical for scientists in the academic and biopharmaceutical markets. I then create campaigns to communicate how these products will help scientists achieve optimal results for their research.
What were you involved with at Cal State Fullerton?
I worked for three years in Dr. Hope Johnson’s lab, investigating manganese oxidation in bacteria for bioremediation purposes. I wrote a thesis based on the findings of our research team for the University Honors Program. I was also an active member of the President’s Scholar Program and served as a student ambassador for the University. Lastly, I was a Student Aid for the Dean’s Office for the College of Communications.
How did you choose your career and what role did CSU Fullerton play in finding your career?
I went into biotechnology by accident. Initially, I wanted to be a dentist, but after interning, I realized that dentistry was not for me. After graduation, I worked as a Research Associate at a biotech company and had a great opportunity to move into a marketing role. I realized that I had a passion for helping scientists achieve their results and make fascinating discoveries. As a scientist myself, I loved that I could communicate with other scientists and provide products that would help them achieve their goals and make world-changing discoveries. Cal State Fullerton was crucial for my success. My mentors and professors helped develop my critical thinking skills. I now approach challenges using the scientific method, especially in marketing where every campaign is an experiment. My in-depth scientific background enables me to work closely with other scientists and identify new job opportunities and potential promotions. While at CSUF, I learned how to write scientifically and I use these skills in my current position to develop marketing materials and technical guides for other scientists. I learned how to work effectively as a team member at CSUF and these skills have helped me work effectively with diverse coworkers.
What are the pros and cons of your career?
Pros:
I impact the research outcomes of scientists around the globe and share stories about how our products helped them complete their research.
As a marketing manager, every day is different, which allows me to constantly learn and grow.
I travel all over the world for conferences and interact with diverse laboratories and researchers.
My position gives me flexibility to work from home, which makes my work/life balance healthier and allows me to spend more time with my family.
The salary and benefits have been outstanding, which allows me to provide for my family and meet my financial goals.
Cons:
I spend a lot of time in front of a computer, which can be draining.
My job requires a substantial time commitment, hard work, and dedication.
What was your work/life balance like at Cal State Fullerton and what is it like now?
My work/life balance while attending CSUF was always positive. I made many friends while on campus and had an on-campus job. Between school, work, and friends, I spent most of my time on and around campus. Although there were more stressful times, such as during midterms and finals, I always had the support of my friends and professors to ensure strong mental and physical health. I was able to have fun while working in lab, studying with friends, interning, and still had plenty of time to explore Orange County and spend time with family. That being said, a degree in Biology at CSUF required hard work and significant time learning the material. Time management and self-discipline are a must for success. In my career I have the ability to work from home. I have more time in the mornings and evenings without a commute, allowing me to get outside, spend more time with my family, and reduce overall stress. The benefits and paid time-off in the industry allow me to look after my health and take vacations throughout the year. I do work very hard and often have long hours, but I am still able to cook dinner daily, run to the store, go on hikes, have lunch/dinner with friends, read books for pleasure, and watch my favorite TV shows to keep me mentally and physically healthy.
What advice would you give current CSUF Biology students?
The advice I would give to biology students at CSUF would be to take the time to learn what you enjoy and to build skills that will help you achieve your goals. I spent many years aiming to be a dentist even though I knew that I did not enjoy the field after only my first year in college. I wish that I had taken more time to learn what I enjoyed and then focused on those aspects while in school. I look back and wish that I would have taken classes on marketing and tried to build other skills that would have helped me along my path. Even if it takes a little longer to graduate, it will be more beneficial in the long run if you discover what you love and spend more time building skills in those areas rather than checking boxes to simply graduate. Try new things, take classes in areas you are not familiar with, spend time looking at careers and interning, and ask yourself hard questions. This will help you find a career you enjoy. Also, it is nearly impossible to land your dream job at the ideal pay right out of college. Understand that this is a reality and that it is okay. At each position, learn as much as you can and take every opportunity that comes your way. This will help you build new skills and learn new things so that you can progress further and faster in the years after graduating. I had the opportunity to move into a marketing role even though I had never taken a marketing class or had any experience. This opportunity exposed me to new things that ended up leading me down a path I loved. I worked hard, tried new things, and took opportunities to learn. Since graduating in 2013, I have worked at three companies, had four promotions, and my salary has grown by more than 400% since my first position all because I took the opportunity to move into marketing. Find what you love and take advantage of new opportunities; success will follow.
