Name:
Kwesi Asante
Organization:
Georgia Institute of Technology
Position:
Biomanufacturing Assistant and Biomedical Engineering student
> About:
Kwesi Asante is a Biomedical Engineering (BME) student at Georgia Tech. Kwesi always had a passion for the sciences, but once he was exposed to the field of biotechnology, he was almost immediately infatuated and knew if he was going to pursue anything for a lifelong career, it would be within that field.
Thanks to his high school biotechnology course track, he was able to take the BACE exam. Through the exam preparation process, he mastered essential lab skills and then earned his credential.
Kwesi says he is proof the BACE credential does what it claims to do: it helped him gain a head start in his career and invaluable experience to push him beyond the entry level. The BACE played a significant role in his admission to the Georgia Tech BME program and also helped him secure a Lab Assistant III position as a freshman, a role typically reserved for upperclassmen. He was quickly promoted to Undergraduate Research Assistant, and is now working as a Biomanufacturing Assistant for Georgia Tech’s Molecular Evolution Core Laboratory. He firmly believes his rapid progression over the last two years is a direct result of the extensive foundational knowledge he gained from both the BACE and his high school biotechnology program.
The BACE credential opened doors I would have never considered.
Kwesi Asante
> Academic/Career Goals:
Kwesi is still considering what he wants to accomplish in the field of biotechnology. What he does know is that he wants to help create something that changes lives for the better; whether in bioinformatics, robotics, microbiology, or any of the many niches within the industry.
He says it doesn’t matter how much money he makes or who he works for; what matters is whether his future work improves someone’s life. Whether he impacts one person or one million, if he makes a difference, he will be satisfied.
> Lessons Learned/Advice:
Kwesi’s advice to potential earners is that the earlier you earn the BACE credential, the better. Your knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and research principles will take you far, fast. Simply holding this credential can open doors you might have thought would take years to access. It serves as proof not only of your expertise but also of your ability to learn, understand, and successfully perform whatever investigative procedure asked of you in a manner that ensures immaculate result.
If you’re just beginning your path into the industry, I can’t think of a better way to show employers that even without formal job experience, you know what you’re doing and understand your role in a laboratory.
Kwesi Asante
Kwesi also has one piece of general life advice for anyone reading: Try everything, even if you are only slightly interested. Be spontaneous!