April 2025 ABI Alum Spotlight: Karrie Findlaytor

Like many kids, I grew up loving animals—but for me, that love only deepened over time and evolved into a curiosity about biology and how animals function. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in the field, but I knew I had to keep learning. When I got accepted to UC Davis, choosing a biology major was a no-brainer. The only problem? Many majors felt rigid, built for a specific, cookie-cutter path I wasn’t sure I wanted to follow. How do you choose a career path when you don’t even know all the options yet?

Then I found the Animal Biology (ABI) major—and it just made sense. It offered flexibility, allowing me to shape my education around my evolving interests. That freedom to explore was exactly what I needed.

Thanks in large part to the ABI program, I now have a proudly eclectic professional background. I’ve always loved a wide range of subjects that don’t typically show up on the same résumé. I’m naturally inquisitive, passionate about science—especially biology—and also a people person who thrives on connection and helping others. After earning my degree, I spent five years at the Mouse Biology Program, where I learned to perform x-rays, read radiographs, conduct necropsies, and run behavioral tests. I loved the hands-on science, but I also felt like my extroverted side was being underused.

That led to a pivot: I took a role in outside sales at a packaging company. On paper, it looked like I’d left science behind, but the truth is I brought science with me. I continued asking questions, stayed curious, and used data-driven thinking to find solutions. After nine years in packaging, curiosity called again, and I moved into a Sales Engineering role at Corning Inc., selling optical cable and fiber.

Looking back, I know that my ability to navigate these career shifts—and thrive in each one—comes from what I learned in Animal Biology. The ABI major taught me how to be both a learner and a leader in my own journey. I’m not afraid to explore new paths because I know I have the skills and mindset to build my own future.