In this episode, I speak with Katherine Lynch, Research Technologist 3 in a biology laboratory at Washington State University, Spokane. Growing up facing the challenges of poverty and domestic violence, Katherine was the first person in her family to graduate college, earning a BS in microbiology from WSU Pullman. During college, she worked part-time as a clerical assistant, which provided some of the skills, experience, and contacts that led to a full-time job as a biology research intern after she graduated. She then moved to her current position a few years later. Katherine is the founder and president of Science Speaks Spokane, a STEM education nonprofit for youth and adults in the Inland Northwest, and participates in other science outreach efforts as well. We'll talk about all of these experiences and of course find out about what her job is like.