Class of 2021 Biomedical Sciences major Junhong J Peng has found success in the field of healthcare consulting after exploring different career paths and taking the opportunities available to him as a student.
After graduating from Texas A&M with his biomedical sciences degree this year, Peng went into healthcare consulting at the Advisory Board in Washington D.C as a Research Analyst. Peng’s job involves interviewing health care executives, doing literature search, drafting written deliverables, and slide drawing for the company’s meetings/on-sites. “My favorite part of my job is the fact that it isn’t static,” Peng said. “I am constantly learning new things about healthcare and the shifts in the industry.”
Despite only starting a few months ago, Peng has already been given challenges and responsibilities he has gladly taken on. “Specifically on my team, my manager has been great in letting me be hands-on and hitting the floor running when I am staffed on a new research project,” Peng added. “In just three months, I was given the opportunity to lead interviews with healthcare executives, write and publish in our daily briefing and advisory website, and act as a thought partner with some of the smartest individuals that are seasoned healthcare professionals.”
While he now greatly enjoys healthcare consulting, Peng wasn’t always interested in the field. “I’ve actually never considered healthcare consulting as a career in college until I attended a healthcare panel that was set up by a scholarship I’ve received,” he said. “There were three healthcare consultants speaking at the panel from the company I am currently working at, and they were extremely kind and gracious to talk with me and give me advice.” From there, Peng began to look into the field as an option in the midst of his college career. I was on the pre-med track throughout college and wanted to take a break from schooling to reevaluate if medical school is the right decision for me. I knew my passion resides in healthcare and I wanted to learn more about it, which led me to where I am now.”
As for advice for students, Peng recommends opening up and being social to fully take advantage of your time in college. “Networking and keeping an open mind about my career options during my junior/senior year of college definitely helped me,” he added. “For those that are unsure of what’s out there, network and ask questions! If someone’s position and work seems interesting to you, ask for a 30-minute chat to learn more about it!” Texas A&M students can find an Aggie to network with at tx.ag/findanaggie.
In order to enter the field, Peng utilized the resources available to him at Texas A&M, and advises others to do the same. “For my current position, research experience was required,” Peng said. “Luckily, most pre-med and life science majors in college will have some form of research experience in the lab or through internships. The undergraduate research program at Texas A&M is a great opportunity for undergrads to participate in research. It has little barriers to entry and is geared for those with no experience, but are dedicated and curious. I would highly recommend it all undergrads and it really helps when applying for jobs or grad school.”
Along with networking and research experience, Peng also believes that internships are extremely valuable. “I highly recommend students apply for internships each summer,” he said. “For research specifically, there are “summer undergraduate research programs” across the country at different institutions. Having internships allows you to network and learn from other experts. And it’s not just for research. No matter your major, you should constantly look for internship opportunities.”
There is a specific path those like Peng who are looking to go into healthcare consulting tend to take, but Peng knows the importance of being flexible. “The career path in health care consulting is going from analyst to senior analyst and then to consultant,” he said. “Consultants are the leaders of research projects and topic-experts. I am not 100% sure of what my two and five-year plans are, but I think that’s completely fine. I can see myself staying within my company and being an expert on a specific topic in health care, but I also see myself going back to school for masters or medical school. These are the two forks in the road that I am still trying to figure out.”
Throughout his career journey, Peng has discovered that sometimes it’s best to tackle things as they come. “One thing I learned from peers and mentors since I began working is that most people don’t really have a concrete plan, but they do have options and paths to take,” he said. “Eventually everyone will figure out what they want out of their career and life. “
We encourage you to participate in the “Power of Diversity”, a month-long Diversity & Inclusion career development series hosted in partnership with the department of multicultural services. Register for events and learn more at tx.ag/thepowerofdiversity .
To use the career resources Texas A&M provides for its current and former students, visit our website at careercenter.tamu.edu or make an appointment at tx.ag/ccappointment. Your future starts now!
After graduating from Texas A&M with his biomedical sciences degree this year, Peng went into healthcare consulting at the Advisory Board in Washington D.C as a Research Analyst. Peng’s job involves interviewing health care executives, doing literature search, drafting written deliverables, and slide drawing for the company’s meetings/on-sites. “My favorite part of my job is the fact that it isn’t static,” Peng said. “I am constantly learning new things about healthcare and the shifts in the industry.”
Despite only starting a few months ago, Peng has already been given challenges and responsibilities he has gladly taken on. “Specifically on my team, my manager has been great in letting me be hands-on and hitting the floor running when I am staffed on a new research project,” Peng added. “In just three months, I was given the opportunity to lead interviews with healthcare executives, write and publish in our daily briefing and advisory website, and act as a thought partner with some of the smartest individuals that are seasoned healthcare professionals.”
While he now greatly enjoys healthcare consulting, Peng wasn’t always interested in the field. “I’ve actually never considered healthcare consulting as a career in college until I attended a healthcare panel that was set up by a scholarship I’ve received,” he said. “There were three healthcare consultants speaking at the panel from the company I am currently working at, and they were extremely kind and gracious to talk with me and give me advice.” From there, Peng began to look into the field as an option in the midst of his college career. I was on the pre-med track throughout college and wanted to take a break from schooling to reevaluate if medical school is the right decision for me. I knew my passion resides in healthcare and I wanted to learn more about it, which led me to where I am now.”
As for advice for students, Peng recommends opening up and being social to fully take advantage of your time in college. “Networking and keeping an open mind about my career options during my junior/senior year of college definitely helped me,” he added. “For those that are unsure of what’s out there, network and ask questions! If someone’s position and work seems interesting to you, ask for a 30-minute chat to learn more about it!” Texas A&M students can find an Aggie to network with at tx.ag/findanaggie.
In order to enter the field, Peng utilized the resources available to him at Texas A&M, and advises others to do the same. “For my current position, research experience was required,” Peng said. “Luckily, most pre-med and life science majors in college will have some form of research experience in the lab or through internships. The undergraduate research program at Texas A&M is a great opportunity for undergrads to participate in research. It has little barriers to entry and is geared for those with no experience, but are dedicated and curious. I would highly recommend it all undergrads and it really helps when applying for jobs or grad school.”
Along with networking and research experience, Peng also believes that internships are extremely valuable. “I highly recommend students apply for internships each summer,” he said. “For research specifically, there are “summer undergraduate research programs” across the country at different institutions. Having internships allows you to network and learn from other experts. And it’s not just for research. No matter your major, you should constantly look for internship opportunities.”
There is a specific path those like Peng who are looking to go into healthcare consulting tend to take, but Peng knows the importance of being flexible. “The career path in health care consulting is going from analyst to senior analyst and then to consultant,” he said. “Consultants are the leaders of research projects and topic-experts. I am not 100% sure of what my two and five-year plans are, but I think that’s completely fine. I can see myself staying within my company and being an expert on a specific topic in health care, but I also see myself going back to school for masters or medical school. These are the two forks in the road that I am still trying to figure out.”
Throughout his career journey, Peng has discovered that sometimes it’s best to tackle things as they come. “One thing I learned from peers and mentors since I began working is that most people don’t really have a concrete plan, but they do have options and paths to take,” he said. “Eventually everyone will figure out what they want out of their career and life. “
We encourage you to participate in the “Power of Diversity”, a month-long Diversity & Inclusion career development series hosted in partnership with the department of multicultural services. Register for events and learn more at tx.ag/thepowerofdiversity .
To use the career resources Texas A&M provides for its current and former students, visit our website at careercenter.tamu.edu or make an appointment at tx.ag/ccappointment. Your future starts now!