Gavin Jaensch

I really enjoyed sports in high school, so I completed a kinesiology degree in university. I liked the applied science aspects that built the basis of my degree, which definitely gave me the ability to be flexible so I can see the science in most areas of my life. After I graduated with my Bachelors degree, I moved to Canada on a working holiday visa. During this period, I worked in a couple of factories making car parts. At this time, I met my wife and started the process for permanent residency.

Right before my original visa ran out, a friend of a friend hooked me up with a job interview for a company doing clinical data management (i.e., the data/information side of clinical trials). I didn't get the job as I didn't have any practical experience in the industry. While I was waiting for my permanent residency to be processed, I volunteered at that same company doing odd jobs (e.g., mainly filing but also sorting, shipping, alphabetizing, moving boxes, etc.) that they had available. I actually did this for about 7 months, as I wasn't allowed to be employed while I was waiting for my new visa. Once I got my permanent residency visa, I was hired by that company to do data entry.

I worked at this job for a couple of years and learned new skills. I then moved into a more senior position as Clinical Data Manager with the company. Part of my job was to review and analyze the data as it was entered. I was responsible for making sure the data entry was accurate, consistent and followed the guidelines for clinical studies. 

I continued to develop my skills and moved on to another company. Here, there were other opportunities to learn and develop my skills with database management and development. I did a lot of “on the job” training. These certifications led to more opportunities for advancement and responsibility. Today, I am a clinical programmer and data manager (a job that did not exist when I graduated) working for Roche Canada , a world-class pharmaceutical company.