University of Pittsburgh

I’d been working in research centers since fresh out of college (2010) but realize within a couple of years that it was never going to lead to a professional field. I did not want to have a career filled with various “administration” jobs. It felt like a wandering path leading to nowhere.

I decided to take a risk on another type of administrative job at my institution which led me to study and place for my CRA. I am happy I did. It allowed me to validate my years working in research groups and complement my master’s degree I earned along the way.

Now, nearly eight years later and I am an experienced research administrator but that doesn’t mean I am knowledgeable in every aspect of the field. Our field is vast with sponsors, polices, regulations that make one always feel like a learner. And that, is the best type of job (doesn’t feel like it on certain days haha) but in truth it is.

Research administration is never static, always moving.

I started working in a research finance office as an undergraduate student employee, delivering mail and filing. Over time, I took on more tasks, and was hired as staff after graduation. I’ve been in a variety of roles since then, and I started and graduated from business school too, but I’m still working in research administration at my alma mater, nearly 18 years later! I enjoy the challenges, of which there are many, and the community. Many of my colleagues from over the decades are still here too, and we share information, resources, and a lot of good times that make the job even better.