Allegro
When I attended the Optica Foundation’s Career Accelerator program in 2022, I was still uncertain about my future career path. On the one hand, I wanted to be heavily involved in scientific advancement, and on the other, I wanted to do more than solo research, striving to find a place where I could engage more directly with colleagues and peers.
I was a year away from completing my Ph.D., but instead of seeing a clear road ahead, I was uncertain about what my path could be. However, something was driving me to seek out a role where I could experience both the technical and interpersonal sides of industry—yet I was struggling to find the right fit. Until, that is, I attended the Career Accelerator, where I had my “eureka” moment.
A career path forward
At the Accelerator, I heard for the first time a speaker describe a job that articulated the vision I had for myself. Keeley Hurley, who at the time was a product line manager with Coherent, spoke about how her role combined technical knowledge with interpersonal connection. Her presentation made me realize that the job I was seeking wasn’t just something out of a dream, but a real position that I could attain. The enthusiasm and positivity with which she discussed her job stuck with me and nudged me on my current career trajectory.
Now, I work as a product manager at Jenoptik, and every day, I explain and describe our technical work, breaking it down to many audiences and relating it to their individual needs. It’s the best of both worlds, combining my love of technical details with a way to connect with a variety of people on a daily basis.
Advancing life skills
Beyond helping me identify my perfect position, the Career Accelerator also shaped my perspective on work. The program had an important emphasis on self-care, which was a novel message for me and one that truly resonated. Our industry is full of extraordinarily bright and hard-working people, yet so often we prioritize our work above our well-being.
To borrow an analogy from Christina Willis, who was a senior analyst at ColdQuanta, now Infleqtion, balancing work and self-care is like putting an oxygen mask on during a flight—you have to first put on your own before doing anything else. This expression has become a personal mantra, and I now practice meditation, emphasize taking mental breaks, and set boundaries that maintain the separation between the personal and professional.
Additionally, the Career Accelerator placed an emphasis on the importance of the individual in a corporate environment. A talk by Jamie LaCouture, who was the communication and engagement manager at Thorlabs, reiterated that a healthy work culture and environment must be a priority, and one should look for organizations that value employees as people. I have carried those lessons with me into my role today.
Creating lasting connections
The Career Accelerator not only helped me define my path and guide me into the next phase of my career, but it also established personal connections that have left a lasting impact. For example, during a fun icebreaker of “networking bingo,” I connected one-on-one with nearly every attendee, even those I might not otherwise have met. The program drew together dozens of experienced and motivated individuals, and I benefited from their insights and camaraderie.
Whether I need someone to proofread a paper or explore research ideas, I have contacts from the Accelerator I know I can trust and reach out to. In many ways, the Career Accelerator launched my professional network, and I’m grateful for the connections I made.
The Career Accelerator benefits
I feel so fortunate to have attended the Optica Foundation’s Career Accelerator, and I am thankful for the donors who made it all possible and the Optica Foundation team for creating it as a platform for thoughtful exploration.
Attending the program served as a crucial stepping stone in my career journey. It helped me not only uncover the right position for me but also gave me the confidence to pursue it. Ultimately, the Accelerator made me realize that I have a home in this field, one that spoke to my love of research and passion for people, and I owe my career to that revelation.
“The Optica Foundation Career Accelerator provides important insights for early career professionals,” said 2025 Optica President Jim Kafka, MKS/Spectra Physics, USA. “By demonstrating the wide berth of opportunities that exist, it helps attendees identify their unique niche within the evolving optics and photonics landscape. We are fortunate to have it to help shape the future of the field.”
The Optica Foundation Career Accelerator program helps students and early-career professionals bridge the gap between academia and industry. During a four-day workshop, participants learn business skills and industry research methodology while also building their own leadership capacity. More information about the next event can be found at optica.org/foundation/opportunities/schools_training_programs/career_accelerator/
2025 Optica Ambassador Isabel Allegro is with Jenoptik, Germany.