Molly Bergin attended the New Visions Scientific Research and World Health program, graduating in 2015. The former Lansingburgh CSD student sat down to talk about her experience at New Visions, and how it led to her current role as a Senior Survey Analyst.
- Can you tell us a bit about your professional journey after graduation?
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- I graduated from the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Public Policy in 2020. I formerly attended Cornell University, where I focused on social science research and public policy. During my undergraduate years and after graduation, I partnered with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, and the Rural Schools Association of New York to understand the unique issues rural schools and communities in the United States face. These research projects helped me identify my passion for data storytelling, leading me to my current role. I am a Senior Survey Analyst at Cerulli Associates, a financial research and consulting firm in Boston, Massachusetts. I have been with the firm since 2021, working across multiple research practices and custom consulting projects. I serve as a subject matter expert in survey design and data analysis.
- How did Questar III help prepare you for the career you have today?
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- New Visions helped me gain valuable research experience and explore career opportunities outside traditional bench/lab research. Before I attended New Visions, I thought the only way to have a career in the sciences was to get a degree in biology or chemistry and work in a lab. Our program exposed us to many public health and research career opportunities. Ruth (Russell) emphasized making daily “connections” – drawing parallels between the different subjects, presentations, or readings we’d work on in the program. Having an analytical mindset and always looking for connections is vital in my current role as an analyst. It helps me ask better questions, perform different analyses, and craft new visualizations to provide better insights to the research team and our clients. New Visions also provided my first real exposure to statistical programs, crafting surveys, and presenting my research to others. At work, I often present to clients and peers or work in programs like Excel, Tableau, SPSS, and Qualtrics. Building a solid foundation and competency in these skills in high school has been a huge help in my professional life.
- What advice would you give current Questar III students?
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- I’d advise them to explore as many opportunities as possible and connect with others. You have invaluable exposure to new careers, subject matter experts, working professionals, and students from other districts. Many high school students don’t get that amount of facetime with professionals in the field or have the opportunity to explore fieldwork in their areas of interest. My experiences in New Visions prepared me for college, eased my transition into internships and research opportunities, and made me a well-rounded student and individual. I met my best friend at New Visions and am still in touch with some classmates a decade later. I also highly recommend getting college credit for your coursework, if possible! I transferred over a year’s worth of college credits from my high school coursework, saving me money and time.
