Student blogs

When I was applying to the Bioentrepreneurship program, I always wondered what are the alumni’s doing? How has the program helped them in their career path? This inspired me to start this series of interviews with few alumni’s to present different career paths, as well as highlight their experiences and take aways from the program. This can also provide some insights for you who are considering to apply for the program and are curious about the different career options after the program. First up, I had the opportunity to interview Andrea Aviles who graduated from the program in 2021. She is now working as an Associate Director of Business Development. In this blog you can learn more about how she found the program invaluable to her career journey.

What was your background before starting the program?

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a focus on Pre-Medicine. During that time, I also worked full-time across several companies, including Tiffany & Co. and Versace.

What was your motivation to apply to the program?

I’m from Puerto Rico, where medical schools generally require completing a Bachelor’s degree before admission. Initially, my career path was medicine, but while working in sales, I was often asked why I would pursue medical school given my experience and strengths in business and client relations. This made me reconsider my future path.

I also shadowed a doctor and realized that, while I greatly admire the profession, I didn’t see myself becoming a physician. I wanted to combine my scientific background with business and entrepreneurship. That’s when I discovered the Bioentrepreneurship Master’s program at Karolinska Institute. It felt like the perfect bridge between my two worlds: science and business. I was so confident it was the right fit that it was the only program I applied to.

What are you doing now?

I’m currently working at a mid-sized global Swedish CRO, as Associate Director of Business Development. I focus on the outsourcing of clinical trials across the Nordic region.

Is there anything specific that the program helped you in landing your job?

The Bioentrepreneurship master’s program provides a comprehensive toolbox of knowledge across the life sciences industry. The courses offer insight into various roles within the industry, which helped me discover what suited me best. For example, it was during the Marketing and Sales – course that I realised I wanted to pursue a career in Business Development. Additionally, the program exposed me to multiple sectors (Biotech, MedTech, and Pharma) which directly relates to my current role, and it provided opportunities to engage with companies and industries, giving practical insight into the life sciences ecosystem.

What is the most valuable skill or knowledge you carry with you after graduating from the program?

Collaboration and teamwork were central to all our projects and assignments, and these skills have proven invaluable in my professional life. The program also taught me to adapt and think creatively (skills highly relevant in today’s dynamic job market). Being surrounded by highly driven peers allowed me to learn from them and build a unique, lasting professional network through the MBE program.