From 'Can I?' to 'I Can': One Student’s Return to Graduate Studies

For Anneliese Carrascoso, a master’s degree after starting her career sounded like a recipe for failure. Between research assignments at work, daily life, and the hustle of making a career within the bioinformatics industry, the thought of adding graduate-level coursework and assignments felt daunting. Until she discovered the Bioinformatics program at Brandeis Online.

After graduating with her bachelor’s in Biology, Anneliese spent two years as a research associate for UMass Medical School followed by positions within two biotech companies before taking on her current role as senior research associate at a major pharmaceutical company. She happily settled into a life of biomedical research. 

At the same time, she wanted to learn more. “I wanted to learn a different set of skills that would help me broadly in my career. Biotechnology and AI are taking the science world by storm, and I wanted in on the action,” Anneliese says. A program that taught Python, like Brandeis Online, was a top priority. But nerves and fears about what that change would look like almost stopped her.

“I was hesitant to start my degree because while I logically thought I could earn a higher degree, a part of me deep down was afraid that I would fail,” Anneliese admits. Between work projects, graduate-level classes, and daily life, she wasn’t sure everything would fit. Busy schedules seem easy when you’re young and in undergrad, but the thought of returning to student life felt hectic and impossible. “It has been some years now since I have been out of school, and I have really enjoyed working life. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to cope with the classes, and had general feelings of insecurity.”

Today, Anneliese can’t imagine ignoring that pull for advancing her education. As someone who loves to learn and perfect new skills, she fits right in at Brandeis Online.

“I am learning the basics of coding with a variety of languages, while also being exposed to the different programs and databases out there,” Anneliese says. She’s no longer afraid of losing her balance of professional life, personal life, and educational goals. 

“I chose Brandeis Online both because Brandeis is an amazing school, and also I wanted to complete my master's while working full time.” With the combination of expert faculty, curriculum that is relevant to industry, and our flexible asynchronous online learning methods, Anneliese says she is “already finding ways to apply what I have learned from this program to my tasks at work.” 

What helped her do it? Talking through all the details of our Brandeis Online Bioinformatics program with admissions, and believing in her drive and intelligence. 

“I am finally at a place in my life where I feel comfortable with my academic intelligence, and what I am able to contribute to my company,” Anneliese admits. “Getting to that point was a mixture of time and readjusting the standards I hold for myself to be more realistic.”

Learning more about her options for online learning made earning her degree less daunting. With full-time and part-time options, she could decide on the program pace and courses that fit her needs, schedule, and professional goals. 

“My advice to others would be… you are capable of going back to school and furthering your educational path,” Anneliese suggests. Half the battle is believing in yourself. 

To learn more about the Bioinformatics program at Brandeis Online, please visit the program website.