Tell us about the Drexel Solutions Institute (DSI) project you were involved in.
Nita: I worked to bring cell and gene therapy (CGT) opportunities to the Drexel community.

What did you learn by working with external partners?
Nita: I learned how to work with people from a range of academic fields and the process and skills needed to establish productive relationships and set goals to achieve the big picture.

For you personally – what is the value of participating in projects that involve external partners?
Nita: My work with DSI helped me understand the working dynamics of a corporate environment. I think, as students, we can sometimes have a false perception of what it is like working in or with corporations; but learning about it through my own experience offered an entirely different perspective that I have found helpful in thinking about my career path.

How has this opportunity impacted your Drexel experience?
Nita: This opportunity offered me the ability to make more connections and build stronger relationships with the students I work with.

What was your favorite part about participating in this opportunity?
Nita: I appreciated having the opportunity to learn about my own work style. This was an entirely new type of learning experience for me, and I learned so much about how I work with others and socialize in professional settings.

How has this project shaped your academic career beyond co-op?
Nita: This project helped give me a better idea of what it would be like to work out in the real world rather than in a controlled academic environment like I have in the past. As someone considering going into the medical field with an MBA, I appreciated the opportunity to gain business experience before entering the field, which not many people have at such an early stage in their career.

Did participating in this project affect your career interests?
Nita: This opportunity confirmed that I want to combine the business and medical aspects of healthcare into my future career. Learning about cell-gene therapy and the growth of this industry, I learned a lot about how science and business naturally work together in today’s corporate environment. I also learned how essential it is to have, at the very least, a basic understanding of both science and medicine to be successful in this field.