Face Time: Dan Magoon — Putting his degree to use at Johns Hopkins

We heard from Dan Magoon three days too late — but he’s been trying to cure cancer, so we’re OK with that.

Magoon, who graduated with a degree in biology from the University of Maine, was one of the original 15 students in the Sun Journal’s “Following the Freshmen” project, which wrapped in 2009.

Last weekend, we wrote about Maine college-going trends and offered updates on 11 of the 15 former freshmen.

Now, we’re happy to run one more.

Current hometown: Baltimore, Md.

Age: 26

Live at home/rent/buy your own home? Renting

Current job? Laboratory manager at Johns Hopkins University (I’ve been in the same lab for almost four years.) We focus on pediatric leukemia research. Some of my roles within this position include training new employees entering the lab, ensuring the lab is running smoothly (i.e. supplies are abundant, machines are working properly, inventories are updated, etc.), researching the ever-advancing new technologies that are available and finding ways to apply them to our studies, and most importantly, the actual research.

I’m involved in several ongoing clinical trials in which targeted therapies are being used. We use many molecular techniques to better understand what is happening inside of a cancer cell.

Enjoy what you do? Absolutely! I’m excited to come to work every day.

If you’re comfortable sharing, how much college debt are you still carrying? Less than half of the original amount. It’s a priority to put whatever extra money is left at the end of the month toward student loans.

So, the big question: Was college worth it? Absolutely. Prior to going to school in 2005, my dad told me, “These next four years will shape you into who you will become for the rest of your life.” I know I’m only four years removed from college, but I could not agree more with that statement. It not only prepares you for your career after college but it prepares you for life itself. Learning to budget time and money, learning to live on your own for the first time, creating strong friendships and professional relationships are just a few on a very long list of things that can be taken away from the experience.

Is your job now related to your major? Yes

What, if anything, would you do differently? I’m very happy with how everything worked out so, no, I would not do anything differently. The only change I might make would be to travel more (as long as it didn’t prevent me from graduating in four years). It’s a perfect time to do so. Your commitments are minimal and there’s a ton of free time.

If you had an 18-year-old child right now, what college-related advice would you give him or her? Realize that the next four years will be a very unique time of your life. Work hard, get a solid foundation to allow yourself to succeed, but make plenty of time to play because you won’t get an opportunity like that again.

Related to that, any advice on partying, socializing or being involved in the college scene? Partying was a big part of college, but it wasn’t the only part. You need to learn to balance work and play. I heard many stories of kids who couldn’t keep their grades up but were partying six nights a week . . . that’s not what you pay tens of thousands of dollars to do.

Please finish this sentence: “When it came to college, my parents were right about . . .” it being a very unique and special four years of your life.

What are you hoping for as you look out over the next 10 years? Personally: wife, kids, a home. Moving back to Maine is a priority. I’ve learned to really appreciate where you come from. Maine is home, and it’s where I want to establish roots. Professionally: Keep growing, learning and expanding my skills. I don’t know where my professional life will be in 10 years, but as long as I’m happy to go to work every day, that’s what matters to me most.

Do you feel your college experience plays any role in those goals? 100 percent. Again, college prepares you for your future, without a doubt. It’s a foundation for both your personal and professional life.

kskelton@sunjournal.com