CFCC Chemical Technology Grad Erin Watson Found Her Path and It Started in Our Labs
“I got my foot in the door through science,” says Erin Watson, CFCC Chemical Technology alum and now a leader in pharmaceutical quality assurance. Her journey started with a spark of curiosity, took a few unexpected turns, and led her into a career where her work helps ensure the safety of biologic drugs worldwide.
Erin grew up in Wilmington and says her love of science started in high school chemistry class. “I remember bending glass with Bunsen burners,” she says. “I’ve always been curious.”
Looking for a More Hands-On Path
She began college with plans to become a science teacher. After attending a university and later taking time off to work in the restaurant industry, Erin realized she was looking for something more hands-on and something that would lead directly to a career she could feel connected to. She discovered CFCC’s Chemical Technology program through a brochure and a conversation with a CFCC faculty member who helped her commit to a new direction. “She was the big sister I needed at that point in my life,” Erin shares. At CFCC, Erin gained more than just classroom knowledge.
“We actually used the equipment, took it apart and put it back together,” she says. “At four-year schools, they show it to you. At CFCC, you use it.”
Skills That Transfer Across Industries
That experience paid off quickly. Erin was hired at DAK Americas right after graduation. She started in the lab, moved into research and development, and later earned a degree in Bioprocessing Manufacturing from East Carolina University. Over the years, she has traveled for work across the United States and internationally. Today, she leads quality assurance at Cygnus Technologies.
Her current role supports major pharmaceutical clients like Johnson & Johnson by ensuring the company’s ELISA kits are manufactured to the highest ISO standards. “Our products help ensure patients get safe biologics,” Erin says. “That’s science.”
Each day, she reviews batch records, writes standard operating procedures, and leads process improvement efforts using lean Six Sigma methods. Erin says these skills are valuable in many industries, not just pharmaceutical.
“Quality assurance is everywhere. You’ll find it in cosmetics, food, and automotive. The foundation CFCC gave me allows me to work in any industry.”
Why Community College Was the Right Choice
Her advice to students considering their next step is simple, “don’t overlook community college.”
“CFCC gave me the hands-on experience that set me apart. I wouldn’t have gotten into ECU without that two-year degree,” she shares. “It opened every door.”
Erin’s path was far from typical, but it was hers. “It’s cliché, but it all started here,” she says. “Go Sea Devils.”
Interested in a career like Erin’s? Learn more about CFCC’s Chemical Technology program, where you’ll get real, hands-on lab experience that can lead straight to a career or transfer opportunities. Evening classes are available.
