Staff Research Associate
(Female, Age 25) from San Gabriel, CA
This is a REAL-LIFE job profile written by a Female aged 25 who works as a Staff Research Associate in San Gabriel, CA. We have removed all names and personal information in order to protect privacy. This professional kindly spent a bit of their time to complete one of our job profile surveys so that prospective job seekers like you could read their insights. Please excuse any punctuation or grammatical errors in this profile.
At a Glance
Current Job
Basic data on your current job
| Job Title | Staff Research Associate |
|---|---|
| Salary | $36,000 |
| Other Compensation | None Set |
| Hours/Week | 40 |
| Company Size | (not answered) |
| Location | San Gabriel, CA |
| Years Experience | 2.5 years |
Career Ratings
Opinions on your CAREER overall (i.e. not just your current job)
| Years in Career | 0 |
|---|---|
| Education | (not answered) |
| Income Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Interest Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Work-Life Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Fulfilment Rating | 0 / 10 |
Current job Q&A
Describe the type of organization you work for.
An Analytical Laboratory testing for banned substances in sports.
Describe your job role and responsibilities.
Processing and chemical analysis of client samples and laboratory duties.
Please list an additional benefits (beyond compensation) that you receive.
Two weeks vacation and sick leave a year, HMO
Do you feel you are under/over or well/fairly compensated at your current position?
Under compensated.
Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Please explain.
Yes, my co-workers are the best part of the job. There are many special projects we must often work on with each other and the whole anti-doping procedure is a collective process.
Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes
Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it.
Laboratory environment.
I dislike the sterile and unwelcoming environment.
Please rate each of the following aspects of your current job on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest/best):
Income: 1
Benefits: 2
Hours: 8
Co-Workers: 6
Supervisors: 7
Job Title: 5
Level of Responsibility: 3
The Actual Work: 4
Table of Contents
How you got your job
How did you get your current job?
Internet.
What was the application process?
Submiited application and resume eletronically, interview process and tour of the work environment.
Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes, an interview with two immediate floor supervisors and an interview with a senior manager, so two interviews total.
If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
What my future goals were, why I wanted the job, what are my positive points and weaknesses, special skills, work experience, and Chemistry concept questions.
Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes, they made me the Standard Operating Procedures thoroughly and trained me for a month before letting me work on my own. They pretty much held my hand through every process and procedure, making sure I knew the concepts.
Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes, basic training on chemical concepts and processes, and procedures.
Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
No, my education did not play into this job. Almost anyone can be trained to do this kind of work. However, a basic scientific background might be required.
If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
N/A
If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
I would ask them whether if it something they really want to do and what their goal is in 10 years.
What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
Technical and organization skills would definitely be needed. Communication skills are a definite plus. A desire to improve and further their skills and a motivated personality would also be recommended.
Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Bachelors in Science
What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Keep a positive attitude and play the game.
Long-term career plans
Is your current employment part of your overall career plan? Why or why not?
Yes, but I would like to move on to a higher paying job soon. This is a stepping stone for my future career plan.
What are your current career goals?
Go back to graduate school and pursue a career in the medical field.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
This career is for someone who really likes routine and security. However, it can be mundane for those who would like to pursue a more exciting career. It is a good to gain some work experience, learn and gather some skills, improve your resume, and then move on to something more fulfilling.
Prior work history
Please list your most recent jobs prior to this current job:
| Title | Length | Salary | Description | |
| Prior Job 1 | SRA | 2 years | 36000 | Processing and chemical analysis of client samples and laboratory duties. |
| Prior Job 2 | N/A |
Educational background
Please list your educational background:
High School GPA:3.8
| GPA | School | Degree | |
| College (Undergraduate) or Technical/Vocational |
3 | University of California, Riverside | BS in Biology |
| Graduate or Professional (Masters or Doctorate) |
N/A |
Ask a Question of this Mentor
This mentor has opted to receive questions from people interested in this career or job position. Please be respectful of their time and willingness to help. Include some basic relevant background so they can intelligently answer your question.