Recorded December 5, 2025
The Universities of Wisconsin recently hosted a virtual Speed Networking session with Illumina, giving students an inside look at one of the world’s leading genomics companies. The event connected participants with Steve Caldwell, Associate Director of Quality Assurance, and Madeline Yu, Supervisor of Manufacturing Equipment Engineering, for a candid conversation about engineering careers, problem-solving in advanced manufacturing, and what Illumina looks for when hiring early-career talent.
This session is part of OEEE’s ongoing effort to give students direct access to Wisconsin employers, deepen understanding of sector-specific skills, and highlight pathways into high-growth industries like biohealth and genomics.
Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/psOkSuWxPa4
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What We Heard: Key Themes From Illumina
1. Engineering Skills Transfer Across Industries
Madeline emphasized that engineering fundamentals — critical thinking, systems understanding, and problem-solving — transfer seamlessly into biotech roles. Whether troubleshooting large-scale machinery or compact lab equipment, the core thinking remains the same.
Highlight: Applying engineering in biotech: https://youtu.be/7htUVnre9a0
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2. Illumina Prioritizes Flexibility, Attitude, and Communication
For early-career candidates, technical degrees open the door — but the differentiators are soft skills: flexibility, communication, eagerness to learn, and the ability to work across teams in a fast-moving production environment.
Highlight: What Illumina looks for when hiring: https://youtu.be/ezAXH0sBpBg
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3. Humility and Collaboration Matter More Than Credentials
Steve noted that success in engineering and quality roles at Illumina has less to do with titles or past experience and more to do with mindset. Employees who collaborate, drop ego, embrace continuous improvement, and stay open to new solutions thrive across the company.
Highlight: What makes someone successful at Illumina: https://youtu.be/-qOS45lbgjE
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4. Genomics Work Is Broader Than Students Expect
Steve offered an accessible explanation of Illumina’s products — equipment and reagents used for DNA sequencing in applications ranging from healthcare to agriculture to public health. This helped students understand where engineering and quality roles fit within the broader genomics workflow.
Highlight: What Illumina builds and who they serve: https://youtu.be/ct6H24dNvxA
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5. Problem-Solving Is the Core Skill Across All Roles
Whether repairing returned devices, identifying recurring product issues, or developing solutions for customers, Illumina teams rely heavily on pattern recognition, system thinking, and creative troubleshooting. Students were encouraged to see these abilities as universally valuable, regardless of engineering discipline.
Highlight: Translating academic skills into real-world impact: https://youtu.be/dDj44cHon_U
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Why This Matters
This session gave students:
- Firsthand exposure to Wisconsin’s biohealth and genomics sector
- A clearer understanding of the skills employers value
- Real examples of how engineering degrees translate into high-growth industries
- Direct interactions with professionals who hire and mentor early-career talent
For employers across Wisconsin, events like this help spotlight workforce needs, build awareness of regional talent, and create accessible on-ramps for students exploring biohealth, manufacturing, and quality assurance roles.
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Interested in Joining the Next Speed Networking Event?
We’re planning additional sessions with employers across Wisconsin’s biohealth, manufacturing, and tech sectors.
If you’d like to be notified about the next event — or if your organization would like to participate as a featured employer — sign up to receive updates.