Jaime Battle recently celebrated five years at Thermo Fisher Scientific. But her path to her current job as a Talent Acquisition Recruiter was far from predictable. Today, she focuses on global university relations and diversity. Her story goes to show that your dream career might not be the one you expected to have. In fact, it might not even be directly related to your major. Read on for the story of how Jaime set off on an unexpected (and fulfilling) career at Thermo Fisher.
As her graduation from Spelman College was approaching, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her chemistry degree. To start her job search, Jaime attended a career fair where she struck up a conversation with Ronita Griffin from Thermo Fisher Scientific, who asked if she was interested in recruitment. It wasn’t a natural career path for a chemistry major, but Jaime went home and researched the job, anyway. She ultimately decided it was a great fit for her interests, interviewed and started working for Thermo Fisher Scientific in December 2012.
Jaime’s job really came full-circle when she returned a year later to the same career fair where she got her start—this time as a recruiter. Because of her experience, she was in a unique position to help other students and recent graduates figure out their own ideal career path. Since starting her job over five years ago, she’s learned valuable career skills, including the importance of time management, and what it takes to maintain a good work-life balance—even when things at the office get hectic.
Jaime’s role at the company has changed a lot over the years. In the process, she’s learned so much and been trusted with a lot of responsibility—like spearheading and managing Thermo Fisher’s campus relations ambassador program and working with 12 campus ambassadors from top-tier schools to host on-campus events and spread the word about Thermo Fisher at their colleges. In her current role focusing on university relations and diversity, Jaime works on a three-person team to manage all internships for her 55,000-person company. It’s a lot of work and a new challenge for Jaime, who’s putting her acquired time-management skills to the test. Even after half a decade at the company, she’s still learning and growing.
There’s no denying that Jaime has come a long way in her career since she graduated with a degree in chemistry. Here’s her top advice for college students, recent grads or anyone figuring out their next career move.
Want to follow in Jaime’s footsteps? Click here to learn more about Thermo Fisher and apply for open roles on WayUp!
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