A Balancing Act: How Vet Med Student Catherine Aaronson Thrives as a CyBIZ Lab Consultant While Pursuing a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine

Originally from Kansas, having received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, Catherine Aaronson is a third-year Veterinary Medicine student at Iowa State University with big dreams of opening her own veterinary clinic one day. Alongside her demanding academic schedule, Catherine has carved out a unique and fulfilling experience as a student consultant at CyBIZ Lab, a role that has given her invaluable insights into the world of business.

Catherine first learned about CyBIZ Lab through a fellow Vet Med student who shared how flexible and accommodating the program was to their rigorous schedules. Intrigued and looking for a summer job, Catherine decided to give it a try. “The flexibility was key,” she explains. “It worked so well with my demanding course load, and that made all the difference.”

What started as a summer job has turned into a two-year journey as Catherine continues to find immense value in the work and the relationships she’s building through CyBIZ Lab.

Catherine’s background in biology, combined with her veterinary studies, makes her a natural fit for science and technology-focused projects at CyBIZ Lab. She’s often tasked with translating complex biological concepts into actionable insights for her team. Her first project in the summer of 2023 was with MERCK Animal Health, a veterinary pharmaceutical company, where she worked on a market research project on companion animals. This experience became a pivotal one for Catherine, and her background in vet med made her the perfect person for this project.

Initially a standard team member on this project, she was promoted to team lead as the project extended into the fall. CyBIZ Lab Program Manager, Blake McClure shared, “Despite having the busiest schedule of any of our current team members, Catherine consistently prioritizes her peers at CyBIZ and produces incredibly high quality results for her clients. She has been well deserving of her recent promotion. She is eager to help others and push their technical knowledge of challenging topics to new heights.”

Over seven months, she developed a deep connection with her team. “The sense of community I found through this project was unexpected and so rewarding,” Catherine shares.

Her most memorable experience came when CyBIZ Lab Program Director Alex Andrade invited her to join an Iowa State University delegation to MERCK headquarters in Kansas City. At the meeting, Catherine presented the project’s findings and had the opportunity to connect with high-level MERCK executives and other professionals in the field of veterinary medicine. The Dean of Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine was also presenting that day, so Catherine was able to have a lengthy interaction with the dean, an opportunity she wouldn’t have had without working at CyBIZ Lab.

Catherine participating in a discussion during a CyBIZ Lab team meeting.

Building Skills for the Future
Catherine credits CyBIZ Lab with helping her refine crucial business skills that will serve her well when she opens her veterinary clinic. These include networking and communicating with high level executives, team leadership, conflict resolution, and time management. “I’m building confidence and business acumen now that will put me ahead of my peers when I graduate,” she says.

The role has also helped her step outside the intense vet med bubble, offering her a much-needed mental reset. “It’s uplifting and good for my spirit to work at CyBIZ Lab. It reminds me that I’m valued for more than just my veterinary knowledge.”

Balancing work and the rigorous demands of vet school is no small feat, but Catherine finds her role at CyBIZ Lab to be uniquely supportive. “I don’t think I’d find another job that would give me so much autonomy and trust me to get my work done despite my busy schedule,” she says. Her classmates often ask why she takes on a job during such a grueling program, to which she replies, “CyBIZ makes me feel worthy of this position, and that keeps me motivated.”

Beyond gaining technical knowledge and industry connections, she has found a sense of belonging and community that continues to enrich her time at Iowa State. “CyBIZ Lab is truly a highlight of my time at Iowa State University. The friendships, opportunities, and professional growth I’ve experienced here are invaluable, and I’m so thankful to be part of such a supportive program,” Catherine reflects.

As Catherine continues her studies and prepares for her future as a veterinary clinic owner, her time at CyBIZ Lab continues to highlight her ambition, resilience, and ability to thrive in diverse environments, characteristics that will set her apart from her peers.