After earning my BS degree from Purdue University, I joined SpectraCode, a company founded by Professors Ed Grand and Dor Ben-Amotz, who provided me with invaluable mentorship and instruction on the intricacies of testing, building, and miniaturizing Raman spectroscopy systems.

My current primary area of focus lies in spearheading Project Avatar, a novel marketing campaign featuring a STEM-based comic-book series that seeks to engage our customer base and promote STEM education. Additionally, I handle business development responsibilities.

I am particularly proud of earning my Executive MBA while juggling a full-time job as well as the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. It required a great deal of dedication, time management, and sacrifice, but I was able to successfully balance my personal and professional commitments to achieve my educational goals.

The most significant challenge I faced in my career was signing a non-compete agreement without seeking legal counsel first. This led to a nine-month legal battle, during which I worked with attorneys to negotiate a release from the agreement. Despite the lengthy process, I learned valuable lessons about the importance of seeking legal advice and carefully reviewing contracts before signing them.

Don’t be afraid to voice your opinions and ideas, and don’t let anyone undermine your contributions. Additionally, building a strong professional network is crucial for your current position as well as your prospects.

Within the technical community, there are diverse opportunities to contribute. Don’t think that being less technically inclined means that there’s no room for you in the science and engineering fields.

Cindy Gong-Harris
Director of Marketing and Business Development, OptoSigma
Born in United States / Resides in United States
Educational Background: BS in Management and Information Systems, Executive Master of Business Administration, Purdue University, United States