The Path Already Traveled: Alumni Seminar Series Connects Students with Alumni’s Experiences and Encouragement

Through valuable advice and personal stories from those who’ve walked the path before them, the School of Science’s Alumni Seminar Series is helping Pacific Union College students navigate their academic journey and inspire their future career paths.

The seminar series was the brainchild of Aimee Wyrick, dean of the School of Sciences and associate professor in the Department of Biology. She explained that the inspiration behind inviting PUC alumni to speak to current students included the desire to create connections and engage with seasoned perspectives.

“We wanted to give our current students an idea of what PUC alumni are doing and the great diversity of paths people take once they leave our college,” Wyrick said. “The alumni who participate can identify with what current students experience and can provide encouragement and perspective. The alumni series has expanded our community beyond the campus.”

Initially, the seminar series was a biology department initiative but widened to the basic sciences, including chemistry, math, and physics. Wyrick hopes to include presentations from psychology and social work in the future.

Now, two years after its inception, the seminar series has taken place four times per quarter. Twenty-seven alumni have virtually or in-person shared their experiences, ranging a diverse sampling of career paths, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physics, chemistry, veterinary, environmental science, law, information technology, aerospace medicine, and more.

As for the students, Wyrick said the feedback has been very positive. Overall, students have enjoyed the diversity of presenters and appreciate hearing their stories. “Many have realized that the challenges of college and science classes are universal and that they can do it—all our alumni are incredibly encouraging,” she said. “We are blessed to have a long roster of engaged alumni who love PUC and have wonderful memories of their time with us. And we have just scratched the surface.”

One of those alums, Dr. Marvin Atchison,’94, now in the field of trauma surgery, shared with students the changes he’s witnessed in his field through case studies and provided encouragement and advice.

“I encouraged them all to be lifelong learners, stay curious, and constantly adapt themselves as God brings growth opportunities their way,” Atchison explained. “Our careers and life typically do not exactly follow our life plan from college, but by His grace, it all turns out to be far more interesting.”

Atchison was impressed by the question-and-answer session with the students and overall called his experience “more fulfilling than expected.”

Another alum, periodontics dentist Dr. Demetrius Flood, ’16, shared valuable insights on the dental school application process, key factors to consider when choosing a dental school, and explored various career pathways available post-dental school.

“The most meaningful part of the seminar for me was sharing the lessons I wish I had known as an undergraduate, emphasizing the importance of mental health, finding a mentor, and establishing accountability partners,” shared Flood.

Flood praised the opportunity for students to build relationships with speakers and establish a network of support through the series. “The world is smaller than we think, and you never know what connections might prove valuable in the future,” he said. “I was humbled by the experience and hope to continue building on the connections that were formed so I can help others achieve their dreams.”