Biotech Beat: A Biotech Career gave Growth and Financial Security

The Biotech Beat Podcast, from the Alumni and Industry Engagement ATE project (DUE 2202011), delivers fresh episodes each month. Listen to their December 12, 2025 episode where we hear how Jennifer's willingness to try opportunities opened up new avenues in her life.

Jennifer works at Novo Nordisk in Clayton, North Carolina as a Manager of Aseptic Processes. Biotech beckoned when her divorce meant that she needed to find a career path that could support her and her two daughters. She had been working in filter manufacturing, but was looking for a better path.  After her divorce, a Johnston Community College (JCC) student advisor told her that the the BioWork Certificate program at JCC would be a rapid and effective way to gain the skills that would help her build a solid career in the booming field of biotechnology.

Jennifer started at Novo Nordisk as an entry-level production worker, and then used the company's extensive training programs to move to management and planning. She has been at the company for 14 years, they were very eager to hire her after she was awarded her certificate. She remembers that her first days were very structured and she found out that although her schooling was very strong, the regulated environment required strict structure that she learned on the job through practical experience. Jennifer states "They (Novo Nordisk) invested in me, and now I am able to give them a return on their investment." 

As an older student, she had to tell herself that all the students were there to learn--the extensive support from JCC made a big difference in helping her feel like she belonged and could meet the challenge of a new career path. Her earlier JCC education, followed by her career at Novo Nordisk really gave her the grounding to be successful, and that success gave her the confidence to enroll in East Carolina University for a 2+2 program to continue her formal education.

Along with her career in biotech, Jennifer has two daughters and 4 grandchildren. The whole family pitches in to help plant a garden every year, and enjoy the harvest when it comes.

Her advice? Biotech is growing, so stay focused, believe in yourself, and the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it!

Tune in on Spotify, iHeart Radio, or Apple Podcasts for more of Jennifer's journey and the advice she shares if you are wondering about a biotech career path.

If you're a community college graduate, they'd love to hear about your journey on Biotech Beat. Please get in touch with Cassandra at cassandra.mitchell-nothaus@austincc.edu.