Pathways in Science: PUC Alumnus Series Impacts Students

Since 2022, 49 Pacific Union College alumni, and counting, have been involved with Pathways in Science, an alumni seminar series created by PUC Dean of the School of Sciences Aimee Wyrick. When the program was first formed, it only involved the biology department, but over the last two years, it has grown to support all the departments under the School of Sciences: chemistry, global public health, kinesiology and health science, mathematics, and psychology and social work. With four seminars each quarter, Wyrick has connected PUC students with alumni to learn about their careers and broaden their understanding of what the future may hold beyond college.

With psychology and social work newly added to the seminar series, alumni Ben Silber, a licensed clinical psychologist, was the first to speak on behalf of his former department in April. As one of 12 alumni speakers this school year for Pathways in Science, Silber was also one of 11 alumni who spoke in person, despite living out of state. For the last four years, Wyrick has welcomed alumni from across the country to speak on campus or remotely, covering careers ranging from biology and biochemistry to biomathematics and environmental sciences.

During this school year, several alumni left an impression on students, including Christal Nishikawa, who shared life events she persevered through that inspired PUC students to keep going and trust in God. Other notable alumni were Darcy Kasner, who reminded students that it was up to them to decide who they want to be and encouraged them to make a positive contribution in society, and Daniel Cho, who also shared his journey to become a medical doctor and the importance of staying true to oneself and focusing on one’s path, not comparing it to others.

For PUC student Taylor Martinez, Pathways in Science has greatly benefited her education. “It has given me access to a primary source in a way because instead of going to professors or advisors all the time about what I’m supposed to be doing or where I'm supposed to be going, I can talk face-to-face with an alumnus who started out in my position or close to where I was my freshman year at PUC,” she said. “Sometimes I don’t have to talk to them about anything specifically because they answer a lot of questions I didn’t even know I had in their seminars.”

As she works towards becoming a surgeon, Martinez has received useful advice and insight from alumni that she knows her future self will be grateful for. “No two people’s experience at PUC and after PUC is exactly the same. Even if the alumnus doesn't have the job title you are looking to gain or doesn't even work in the field you are trying to get into, they were still students at PUC. Because of this, I think they all have valuable insight to share that they all also seem super willing to share,” she said. “If God brought them here and had them graduate from PUC, that is already enough for me to be interested in talking to them or hearing what it is they have to say about their experiences.”

“I want current students to simply see that one’s path from college to career is rarely linear,” said Wyrick. “There are a lot of ways to measure success, and the advice and wisdom that our alumni share is incredibly valuable. All alumni have offered to be a resource to students who are interested.”

Not only have visiting alumni been helpful to students, but they have also been helpful to the faculty. “We have learned so much and have benefited from our reconnections,” she shared. “Many of our alumni who are physicians, dentists, and other professionals let us know what we can do better or differently to prepare our students for success. And they also let us know what we’re doing right!”

With PUC’s widespread alumni network, Wyrick already has speakers scheduled for the upcoming fall quarter. For alumni from the School of Sciences who want to be a part of Pathways in Science, please email sciences@puc.edu.