Jonathan Forget

Can you tell us about your academic background? What was your undergraduate path? 

I started at Western in September 2008 in the Biological and Medical Sciences Program. In second-year, I decided to pursue a BSc. Honours Specialization in Biology. Graduated in 2013.

What was your career aspiration in first-year and why? 

I went into first-year Science @ Western with the same career aspiration as most of my classmates – to become a doctor. I wanted to pursue this career as I did not have much of an idea of any other career options that a science degree could offer me. I was definitely surprised by many of the job options across Canada that were available when I was applying to many of the various positions during the Science Internship Program. Now that I think back on it, I think I applied to almost every single one!

What is your current occupation, what was your path to get here? 

I am currently a Production Supervisor in the Filling & Packaging department at Sanofi Pasteur in Toronto. My path to get here started with the Western Science Internship Program, I was hired for a 12-month internship in the Quality Operations department at Sanofi. I was hired once again by the same department at Sanofi as a Quality Operations Manager just a few months after I graduated. I then moved into the manufacturing side of the business in 2017 and I’ve been there ever since.

What do you value in a job to feel fulfilled? 

To feel fulfillment in a job, I have to feel like the work I am doing is making a positive and quantifiable contribution to the company as well as society as a whole. Working at Sanofi and having direct involvement in the manufacture of life-saving vaccines certainly helps in that regard. It’s also extremely important to find a job where there is opportunity to move around and grow within the company. Otherwise, you could find yourself stuck in a rut and maybe having to start from square one at a different company if you don’t like your first job out of university.

What advice would you give current undergraduate students/ or to your undergraduate self? 

I would advise any undergrad student to pursue the Western Science Internship Program and apply to every single job available as you never know where it may lead you. I would also advise any undergrad students to get involved in as many activities as their schedule permits. While I was at Western, I joined a fraternity and played a few different intramural sports. I was very busy but I had a ton of fun and met a bunch of really great people that I am still very close with today.