Bronco Spotlight: Ida Marie Alcantara
Master of Science in statistics; Ph.D. in statistics; certificate in biostatistics, 2020
Instructor at Western Washington University
I teach calculus and various statistics courses, as well as participate in developmental training to further my skills in teaching.
If you had a campus job or internship, how did they impact your career development?
I was a teaching assistant throughout my studies at WMU. This experience enhanced my ability to handle class issues, deliver lectures well, and understand different approaches that work for different students. I also had an internship with Celgene (now Bristol-Myers Squibb), which developed my ability to apply statistical analysis to pharmaceutical data.
What activities, resources, or people helped you prepare for your career?
What helped me prepare for my career as an educator was GSTI and WMU Signature. The seminars and trainings I attended enhanced my ability to teach, and develop my own techniques in teaching. WMU Career and Student Employment helped me write my CV effectively, and they have been a good resource of job availability information.
What experiences impacted the choice of your career path?
After spending some time in industry, I realized I gain satisfaction from teaching rather than working in the office. This is what prompted me to pursue a Doctorate degree.
What advice do you have for others pursuing a career similar to yours?
Be prepared, and allow time during the journey to participate in development programs that WMU offers, so you are ready for challenges that you’ll face after graduation. Never lose hope, and believe you can do everything you set your mind to.