[PDF] Changing Careers to Become a SAS Programmer in the Biotech

20372_3changing_careers.pdf 1 ChangingȱCareersȱtoȱBecomeȱaȱSASȱProgrammerȱinȱtheȱBiotechȱ/ȱ

PharmaceuticalȱIndustryȱ

SyȱTruong,ȱMetaȬXceed,ȱInc,ȱMilpitas,ȱCAȱ ȱ

ABSTRACTȱ

Theȱebbȱandȱflowȱwithinȱtheȱtechnologyȱsector,ȱrangingȱfromȱtheȱdotȱcomȱbubbleȱtoȱoutsourcing,ȱhasȱprogrammersȱsearchingȱ

forȱjobȱsecurity.ȱȱManyȱindividualsȱhaveȱconsideredȱbecomingȱaȱSASȱprogrammerȱwithinȱtheȱBiotechȱandȱPharmaceuticalȱ

industryȱdueȱtoȱtheȱlongerȱprojectȱlifeȱcycleȱofȱyearsȱratherȱthanȱmonths.ȱȱTheȱbestȱpathȱtoȱenterȱthisȱfieldȱcanȱbeȱelusive.ȱȱThereȱ

areȱchallengesȱespeciallyȱforȱthoseȱstartingȱoutȱsinceȱitȱrequiresȱthreeȱyearsȱofȱexperienceȱtoȱobtainȱthatȱfirstȱjob.ȱȱThisȱpaperȱ

distillsȱrealȱlifeȱstoriesȱfromȱSASȱprogrammersȱwithinȱtheȱBiotechȱandȱPharmaceuticalȱindustry.ȱȱItȱdescribesȱmanyȱdifferentȱ

pathsȱandȱsuggestsȱrecommendationsȱbasedȱuponȱtheseȱexperiences.ȱȱWhenȱstartingȱoutȱonȱaȱnewȱcareerȱpath,ȱsageȱ

adviceȱ

fromȱseasonedȱprofessionalsȱinȱtheȱfieldȱcanȱsaveȱaȱlotȱofȱtimeȱandȱenergy.ȱȱArmedȱwithȱtheȱknowledgeȱandȱsharedȱexperiencesȱ

fromȱtheȱstoriesȱtoldȱinȱthisȱpaper,ȱyouȱwillȱpropelȱyourselfȱintoȱaȱmoreȱchallengingȱandȱsuccessfulȱcareer.ȱ

INTRODUCTIONȱ

ThereȱareȱmanyȱpathsȱthatȱindividualsȱtakeȱtoȱarriveȱatȱaȱcareerȱasȱaȱSASȱProgrammer.ȱȱSASȱisȱaȱprogrammingȱlanguageȱwhichȱ

requiresȱtheȱrigorsȱofȱaȱcomputerȱscientist.ȱȱHowever,ȱtoȱbecomeȱaȱclinicalȱtrialsȱanalystȱalsoȱrequiresȱaȱthoroughȱ

understandingȱandȱknowledgeȱofȱtheȱclinicalȱdataȱtoȱbeȱanalyzed.ȱȱTheȱcombinationȱofȱtheseȱdistinctȱskillsȱattractsȱpeopleȱfromȱ

diverseȱbackgrounds.ȱȱItȱisȱsurprisingȱtoȱfindȱsoȱmanyȱdifferentȱbackgroundsȱofȱindividualsȱwithȱdifferingȱtalentsȱandȱinterestsȱ

whoȱgravitateȱtowardsȱthisȱcareerȱpath.ȱȱLikeȱmanyȱotherȱcareerȱpathsȱdealingȱwithȱtechnology,ȱthingsȱchange.ȱȱTheȱ

dynamicȱ

aspectsȱofȱtheȱjobȱrequireȱprogrammersȱtoȱbecomeȱresourcefulȱandȱtoȱsurvive.ȱȱTheyȱthereforeȱmustȱreȬinventȱthemselvesȱ

continually.ȱȱTheȱcoreȱunderstandingȱofȱtheȱanalyticsȱbehindȱclinicalȱtrialsȱevolvesȱbutȱremainsȱcomparativelyȱstable.ȱȱOnceȱ

youȱmasterȱthisȱandȱtheȱaccompanyingȱprogrammingȱtechniques,ȱyouȱ haveȱaȱgoodȱfoundationȱforȱbecomingȱaȱsuccessfulȱ

ClinicalȱTrialsȱProgrammer.ȱȱȱThereȱareȱmanyȱscenariosȱwhichȱyouȱcanȱtake.ȱȱTheȱfollowingȱdiagramȱdepictsȱthree.ȱȱThereȱareȱ

manyȱmoreȱandȱtheȱcombinationsȱofȱstepsȱcanȱleadȱtoȱaȱmyriadȱofȱgoodȱpaths.ȱ

ȱ 1 1 2

ThisȱpaperȱevaluatesȱvariousȱdifferentȱpathsȱthatȱindividualsȱtookȱonȱtheirȱroadȱthroughȱclinicalȱSASȱprogramming.ȱȱThereȱisȱ

noȱoneȱcorrectȱpathȱbutȱratherȱaȱdiverseȱset.ȱȱThisȱdemonstratesȱtheȱuniqueȱcombinationȱofȱskillȱsetsȱneededȱtoȱthriveȱinȱthisȱ

environment.ȱȱThisȱpositionȱhasȱonlyȱrecentlyȱbeenȱestablishedȱsoȱmanyȱof

ȱtheȱindividualsȱwhoȱenteredȱthisȱfieldȱdidȱnotȱsetȱ

outȱtoȱbecomeȱaȱclinicalȱSASȱprogrammer.ȱȱForȱmany,ȱtheȱjourneyȱwasȱunplannedȱandȱthereȱwereȱnoȱroadȱmaps.ȱȱTheyȱwereȱ

pioneersȱandȱnavigatedȱtheirȱcareerȱpathȱfollowingȱtheirȱintuitionȱandȱreliedȱonȱluck.ȱȱThereȱareȱmanyȱlessonsȱthatȱcanȱbeȱ

gainedȱfromȱtheseȱpioneers.ȱȱTheȱpathsȱwhichȱtheseȱpioneersȱpavedȱwillȱprovideȱaȱclearerȱvisionȱandȱsetȱofȱdirectionsȱforȱ

futureȱaspiringȱSASȱprogrammersȱwhoȱplanȱtoȱventureȱonȱtheȱsameȱroads.ȱȱȱȱȱ

ȱ ASSOCIATEȱDIRECTORȱOFȱBIOANALYSISȱȬȱDAVIDȱTAPPEȱ It is not about how good a SAS programmer you are. It is about being focused on the data and your representation of the data that leads to success. ȱ

StartingȱOutȱ

WhenȱDavidȱstartedȱoutȱonȱhisȱfirstȱSASȱprogrammingȱpositionȱatȱSyntexȱinȱPaloȱAlto,ȱCaliforniaȱinȱtheȱ80s,ȱthisȱtypeȱofȱworkȱ

wasȱnotȱwellȱunderstoodȱnorȱwellȱknownȱonȱtheȱwestȱcoast.ȱȱTheȱtermȱȈBioanalystȈȱusedȱatȱSyntexȱforȱstatisticalȱprogrammersȱ

wasȱforeignȱandȱheȱdidȱ notȱknowȱwhatȱtoȱexpect.ȱȱȱ

DavidȱwentȱtoȱUCLAȱtoȱobtainȱhisȱbachelorsȱdegreeȱinȱMathematics.ȱȱHeȱthenȱcontinuedȱhisȱstudiesȱatȱFresnoȱStateȱinȱBiologyȱ

andȱdidȱhisȱthesisȱworkȱinȱLymnology,ȱorȱtheȱstudyȱofȱfreshȱwaterȱecosystems.ȱȱHisȱacademicȱexperienceȱdidȱnotȱincludeȱ

formalȱcomputerȱscienceȱnorȱteach

ȱhimȱhowȱtoȱprogramȱinȱSAS,ȱbutȱitȱdidȱincludeȱexposureȱtoȱresearchȱmethodsȱandȱstatisticsȱ

thatȱheȱusedȱinȱhisȱthesis.ȱȱInȱfact,ȱDavidȱhadȱlittleȱformalȱprogrammingȱtraining.ȱȱHeȱwasȱintroducedȱtoȱprogrammingȱwhenȱ

heȱtookȱaȱFORTRANȱcourseȱatȱUCLA.ȱȱBackȱinȱtheȱdaysȱofȱpunchȱcards,ȱ

heȱusedȱFORTRANȱforȱanȱecosystemȱmodelingȱclassȱinȱ

graduateȱschool.ȱOutȱofȱpersonalȱinterest,ȱheȱlearnedȱBASICȱprogrammingȱonȱhisȱownȱwhileȱworkingȱasȱaȱLabȱTechnicianȱatȱ

U.C.ȱBerkeley.ȱȱAsȱheȱdevelopedȱhisȱcareer,ȱtheȱtechnicalȱaspectsȱofȱprogrammingȱwereȱmerelyȱaȱmeansȱtoȱanȱend.ȱȱThatȱendȱ

was

ȱtheȱdataȱitselfȱandȱhowȱtheȱdataȱdemonstratedȱmeaningȱwhenȱanalyzed.ȱȱTheȱmeaningȱofȱtheȱdataȱwasȱthereforeȱpivotalȱ

andȱoverrodeȱtheȱmechanicsȱofȱgettingȱthere.ȱȱDavidȱgainedȱenoughȱproficiencyȱinȱprogrammingȱonȱtheȱjobȱtoȱperformȱwellȱinȱ

hisȱjobȱwithoutȱmuchȱformalȱtraining.ȱ

Inȱ1979,ȱDavidȱmovedȱtoȱ

WalnutȱCreekȱinȱtheȱeastȱbayȱafterȱheȱhadȱcompletedȱhisȱcourseȱworkȱinȱFresno.ȱȱHeȱexploredȱjobsȱinȱ

theȱbayȱareaȱandȱfirstȱworkedȱinȱtheȱdepartmentȱofȱMaterialsȱScienceȱatȱU.C.ȱBerkeleyȱhelpingȱonȱresearchȱprojectsȱaimedȱatȱ

findingȱwaysȱtoȱutilizeȱcoalȱdust.ȱȱAsȱthatȱjobȱwasȱending,

ȱheȱfoundȱaȱjobȱannouncementȱatȱtheȱU.C.ȱBerkeleyȱplacementȱcenterȱ

forȱaȱBioanlystȱatȱSyntex.ȱȱSyntexȱwasȱanȱestablishedȱpharmaceuticalȱcompany,ȱbutȱdueȱtoȱtheȱlackȱofȱexperiencedȱstatisticalȱ

programmersȱinȱtheȱbayȱareaȱatȱtheȱtime,ȱtheyȱhiredȱpeopleȱatȱentryȱlevel.ȱȱAlthoughȱheȱlackedȱtheȱjobȱspecificȱ

experience,ȱheȱ

appliedȱforȱtheȱjobȱatȱSyntexȱbecauseȱheȱwasȱintriguedȱbyȱtheȱblendȱofȱstatistics,ȱhealthȱresearchȱandȱprogrammingȱmentionedȱ

inȱtheȱjobȱannouncement.ȱȱAtȱtheȱtime,ȱhowever,ȱheȱdidȱnotȱknowȱwhatȱaȱBioanalystȱdidȱorȱwhatȱtheȱjobȱentailed.ȱȱTheȱ

commuteȱfromȱWalnutȱCreekȱtoȱPaloȱAlto

ȱrequiredȱhimȱtoȱgoȱoverȱtheȱeastȱbayȱhills,ȱacrossȱoneȱofȱtheȱbayȱbridges.ȱȱThisȱaddedȱ

toȱhisȱcommuteȱtotalingȱaboutȱ60ȱmiles.ȱȱTheȱjobȱhadȱtoȱproveȱtoȱbeȱaȱgoodȱfitȱforȱhimȱtoȱkeepȱupȱwithȱthisȱgruelingȱcommute,ȱ

evenȱwithȱtheȱhelpȱofȱaȱcarpool.ȱȱ

Inȱtheȱend,ȱitȱwasȱtheȱresearchȱaspectȱandȱabilityȱtoȱunderstandȱtheȱmeaningȱbehindȱthatȱdataȱ

thatȱcementedȱhisȱdecisionȱtoȱstayȱinȱthisȱfieldȱasȱaȱcareer.ȱ

Heȱbeganȱtoȱappreciateȱtheȱgoalȱofȱproducingȱstudyȱreportsȱsummarizingȱtheȱsafetyȱandȱefficacyȱresultsȱofȱclinicalȱtrials.ȱȱ

Whileȱheȱenjoyed

ȱprogrammingȱandȱdevelopingȱgoodȱSASȱprogrammingȱskills,ȱtheȱoutputȱproducedȱbyȱhisȱprogramsȱwereȱ

moreȱimportantȱthanȱtheȱSASȱprograms.ȱȱHeȱbeganȱtoȱrealizeȱthatȱthisȱwasȱtheȱpivotalȱaspectȱofȱtheȱBionalystȇsȱjob.ȱȱTheȱ

Biostatistician,ȱwhoȱwasȱtheȱBioanalystȇsȱclient,ȱwantedȱtoȱreceiveȱqualityȱoutputȱtablesȱrepresentingȱ

theȱstudyȱdataȱandȱitsȱ

analysesȱresults.ȱȱTheyȱwereȱnotȱinterestedȱinȱtheȱqualityȱofȱtheȱSASȱprogramȱusedȱtoȱcreateȱtheȱtables,ȱsoȱlongȱasȱtheyȱ

producedȱaccurateȱresults.ȱȱȱ

Theȱunderstandingȱofȱtheȱdiseaseȱthatȱheȱwasȱworkingȱonȱwasȱanotherȱfascinatingȱaspectȱofȱtheȱjob.ȱȱHeȱisȱnotȱclinically

ȱtrainedȱ

asȱaȱMDȱorȱaȱRN,ȱbutȱhisȱinterestȱinȱresearchȱandȱlearningȱaboutȱtheȱdiseaseȱrelatedȱtoȱaȱgivenȱdrugȱallowedȱhimȱaȱuniqueȱviewȱ

ofȱtheȱdata.ȱȱThisȱwasȱaȱwindowȱthroughȱtheȱdataȱwhichȱprovidedȱmeaningȱthatȱbecameȱessentialȱinȱhisȱwork.ȱȱTheȱinteractionsȱ

withȱotherȱ

teamȱmembersȱmostlyȱinvolvedȱcommunicatingȱwithȱtheȱBiostatistician.ȱȱHowever,ȱitȱalsoȱincludedȱinteractingȱwithȱ

theȱotherȱclinicalȱteamȱmembers,ȱsuchȱasȱtheȱMDȱinȱchargeȱofȱtheȱproject.ȱȱTheȱBiostatisticianȱandȱBioanalystȱworkedȱtogetherȱ

closelyȱinȱanalyzingȱandȱproducingȱreportȱtablesȱandȱgraphs.ȱȱEvenȱthoughȱtheȱmeaningȱofȱtheȱstatisticsȱis

ȱinȱtheȱdomainȱofȱtheȱ

statistician,ȱitȱoftenȱendedȱupȱwithȱtheȱBioanalystȱneedingȱtoȱinterpretȱtheirȱinstructionsȱtoȱfillȱinȱtheȱgaps.ȱȱThisȱmultiȬfacetedȱ

aspectȱofȱtheȱjobȱkeptȱDavidȱinterestedȱinȱtheȱworkȱwhichȱsustainedȱandȱrationalizedȱhisȱlongȱcommuteȱforȱ12ȱyears.ȱ

3

GrowingȱwithinȱtheȱJobȱ

AlthoughȱtheȱdataȱkeptȱDavidȱinterested,ȱheȱdidȱexploreȱtechnicalȱaspectsȱofȱtheȱjobȱasȱwell.ȱȱHeȱcontinuedȱtoȱdevelopȱhisȱSASȱ

programmingȱskillsȱbyȱtakingȱsomeȱdatabaseȱdesignȱcoursesȱatȱU.C.ȱBerkeleyȱExtension.ȱȱThisȱgaveȱhimȱtheȱopportunityȱtoȱ

workȱonȱseveralȱOracleȱdatabaseȱprojects.ȱȱHe

ȱalsoȱwasȱpartȱofȱtheȱinitialȱRx/Clinicalȱdevelopmentȱteam,ȱaȱjointȱventureȱ

betweenȱOracleȱandȱSyntexȱthatȱledȱtoȱOracleȱClinical,ȱtheȱleadingȱclinicalȱtrialȱdatabaseȱmanagementȱsystemȱusedȱinȱtheȱ

pharmaceuticalȱindustry.ȱȱȱȱ

Heȱbeganȱtoȱtakeȱonȱmanagementȱresponsibilities,ȱmanagingȱbothȱpeopleȱandȱprojectsȱatȱSyntex.ȱȱThisȱcontinuedȱonȱ

inȱhisȱ

careerȱatȱChironȱinȱEmeryville.ȱȱHeȱmodestlyȱattributedȱtheȱmanagementȱofȱpeopleȱasȱbeingȱanȱeasyȱjobȱbecauseȱtheȱpeopleȱheȱ

workedȱwithȱwereȱcapableȱandȱgoodȱtoȱworkȱwith.ȱȱSinceȱheȱhadȱaȱgoodȱunderstandingȱofȱwhatȱitȱtookȱtoȱperformȱasȱaȱ

Bioanalyst,ȱheȱwasȱableȱto

ȱidentifyȱpeopleȱwhoȱhadȱtheȱrightȱbalanceȱofȱresearchȱandȱinterestȱinȱtheȱdata,ȱalongȱwithȱtheȱ

technicalȱprogrammingȱskills.ȱȱItȱwasȱaȱcombinationȱofȱhavingȱtheȱtenacityȱtoȱunderstandingȱtheȱclinicalȱaspectsȱofȱtheȱdataȱ

whileȱhavingȱtheȱtechnicalȱskillsȱtoȱdeliverȱanalysis.ȱȱThisȱwasȱwhatȱDavidȱhadȱstrivedȱ

forȱhimselfȱandȱwasȱwhatȱheȱlookedȱforȱ inȱformingȱtheȱteamsȱwhichȱheȱmanaged.ȱȱ

DavidȱisȱnowȱtheȱAssociateȱDirectorȱofȱBioanalysisȱatȱNovartisȱ(formerlyȱChiron).ȱȱHeȱisȱveryȱproudȱofȱtheȱteamȱthatȱheȱputȱ

togetherȱsinceȱheȱstartedȱatȱChiron.ȱȱDavidȇsȱfirstȱgoalȱatȱChironȱwasȱto

ȱestablishȱaȱstandardȱsetȱofȱreportingȱmacrosȱwhichȱ

wouldȱhandleȱtheȱstandardȱCRFȱ(CaseȱReportȱForms).ȱȱHeȱdecidedȱtoȱhaveȱhisȱBioanalystsȱbalanceȱtheirȱworkloadȱofȱ

producingȱtheȱdayȬtoȬdayȱanalysisȱandȱreportingȱworkȱwithȱdevelopingȱandȱmaintainingȱaȱstandardȱlibraryȱofȱmacroȱsoftware.ȱȱ

Theȱstandardȱsoftwareȱmostlyȱfocusedȱ

onȱgeneratingȱsafetyȱsummariesȱsinceȱtheȱefficacyȱdataȱusuallyȱvariedȱtooȱmuchȱ

betweenȱprojects.ȱȱTheȱdifferenceȱamongȱstudiesȱdidnȇtȱlendȱitselfȱtoȱstandardization.ȱȱHeȱproceededȱtoȱassignȱPhilȱtoȱworkȱonȱ

Labȱdata,ȱFrancesȱtoȱdevelopȱmacrosȱforȱAdverseȱEvents,ȱRobȱtoȱworkȱonȱDemographicsȱandȱConmedȱwhileȱDavidȱhimself

ȱ

workedȱonȱtheȱDosingȱinformation.ȱȱItȱwasȱaȱmanagementȱstyleȱthatȱallowedȱhimȱtoȱparticipateȱinȱtheȱworkȱfirsthand,ȱwhileȱ

motivatingȱtheȱteamȱtoȱdevelopȱsoftware.ȱȱThisȱwasȱallȱimplementedȱonȱtopȱofȱtheȱnormalȱstudyȱanalysisȱworkȱthatȱtheyȱhadȱtoȱ

do.ȱȱHeȱenjoyedȱworkingȱonȱhisȱmacroȱcomponentȱ

whichȱorganizedȱdosingȱinformationȱintoȱaȱdosingȱanalysisȱfileȱandȱthenȱ

joinedȱthisȱfileȱwithȱtimeȬdependentȱeventsȱinȱaȱstudy.ȱȱThisȱallowedȱintegratingȱaȱsubjectȇsȱdosingȱexperienceȱwithȱotherȱstudyȱ

dataȱsuchȱasȱadverseȱeventȱandȱefficacyȱdata.ȱȱForȱexample,ȱanȱadverseȱeventȱcanȱoccurȱatȱanyȱspecificȱtime

ȱduringȱtheȱstudy.ȱȱ

Hisȱmacroȱwouldȱthenȱmergeȱthisȱdataȱwithȱtheȱdosingȱinformationȱandȱaddedȱvariablesȱsuchȱasȱtheȱexactȱdose,ȱtheȱ

cumulativeȱdose,ȱtimeȱsinceȱlastȱdose,ȱetc...ȱȱThisȱwasȱderivedȱinȱassociationȱwithȱtheȱadverseȱeventȱofȱthisȱevent.ȱ

Davidȇsȱapproachȱtoȱdevelopingȱtheȱmacroȱsystemȱ wasȱtoȱstandardizeȱanyȱareaȱwhereȱtheȱpotentialȱuseȱoutweighedȱtheȱ

developmentȱandȱvalidationȱcosts.ȱȱHavingȱaȱstandardȱmacroȱsystemȱavailableȱprovidedȱforȱconsistentȱanalysesȱacrossȱstudies,ȱ

projectsȱandȱoutput.ȱȱItȱalsoȱpreventedȱtheȱprogrammerȱfromȱhavingȱtoȱdoȱrepetitiveȱtasks.ȱȱThisȱallowedȱthemȱtoȱfocusȱonȱtheȱ

uniqueȱefficacyȱaspects

ȱofȱeachȱstudy.ȱȱItȱmadeȱtheȱjobȱeasierȱandȱmoreȱefficientȱforȱtheȱBioanalyst.ȱȱHisȱteamȱwasȱalsoȱmoreȱ

engagedȱandȱinterestedȱsinceȱtheȱworkȱwasȱmoreȱdynamicȱandȱbecameȱmoreȱlikeȱaȱuniqueȱpuzzleȱthatȱneedsȱtoȱbeȱsolvedȱforȱ

everyȱstudy.ȱȱȱ Itȱtookȱaȱyearȱtoȱdevelopȱtheȱ

1stȱversionȱofȱtheȱsoftwareȱwithȱmuchȱofȱtheȱteamȇsȱeffortsȱfocusedȱonȱtheȱmacroȱsystemȱwithoutȱaȱ

lotȱofȱcompetingȱstudyȱanalysisȱwork.ȱȱLaterȱon,ȱitȱtookȱmoreȱtimeȱtoȱimplementȱsubsequentȱversionȱreleasesȱsinceȱtheȱ

programmersȱusuallyȱhadȱprojectȱworkȱthatȱtookȱprecedenceȱoverȱtheȱstandardȱmacroȱdevelopment.

ȱȱDavidȱthinksȱhoweverȱ

thatȱthisȱwasȱaȱmoreȱcostȱeffectiveȱapproach.ȱȱByȱgivingȱtheȱdevelopmentȱeffortsȱtoȱtheȱseniorȱprogrammersȱwhoȱworkȱwithȱtheȱ

analysesȱthemselves,ȱtheȱdevelopmentȱofȱsoftwareȱwasȱimplementedȱbyȱtheȱsameȱindividualsȱwhoȱunderstandȱitȱtheȱmost.ȱȱȱ

Davidȱhasȱaȱlowȱkeyȱapproachȱtoȱmanagingȱhisȱ

people.ȱȱHeȱsetsȱoutȱgoalsȱandȱexpectsȱhisȱpeopleȱtoȱworkȱconscientiouslyȱandȱ

autonomously.ȱȱHeȱdoesȱnotȱseeȱhimselfȱasȱhavingȱaȱdraconianȱstyleȱbutȱratherȱaȱgentleȱcoachȱapproach.ȱȱDavidȱperformsȱpeerȱ

reviewsȱandȱmakesȱsuggestionsȱbutȱinȱgeneral,ȱleavesȱhisȱpeopleȱalone.ȱȱHeȱseesȱthatȱitȱisȱthisȱfreedom

ȱthatȱallowsȱtheȱtalentsȱofȱ

eachȱindividualȱtoȱthriveȱandȱdiscoverȱtheȱuniqueȱbalanceȱofȱvariousȱskillsȱtoȱbeȱaȱsuccessfulȱBioanalyst.ȱ

CONSULTINGȱSASȱPROGRAMMERȱ-ȱGENEȱ

Being resourceful and learning new things will keep you from becoming stagnant and become successful as a SAS programmer. ȱ

BackȱinȱtheȱDayȱ

Geneȇsȱintroductionȱtoȱcomputersȱandȱtechnologyȱstartedȱbackȱinȱhighȱschoolȱinȱtheȱ70ȇsȱwhenȱheȱusedȱtheȱTexasȱInstrumentȱ

calculatorsȱthatȱallowedȱhimȱtoȱprogramȱequations.ȱȱHeȱthenȱlearnedȱassemblyȱlanguageȱandȱmachineȱcodeȱonȱDECȱPDPȬ11ȱ

andȱZilogȱZȬ80ȱmicroprocessors.ȱȱ

Geneȱenjoyedȱworkingȱatȱtheȱmachineȱlevelȱofȱtheseȱ16ȱandȱ8Ȭbitȱmachinesȱbecauseȱitȱtaughtȱ

4

himȱtheȱfundamentalsȱandȱrigorousȱapproachȱtowardsȱprogramming,ȱincludingȱdebuggingȱprograms.ȱȱHeȱthenȱprogressedȱ

intoȱlearningȱtheȱBASICȱlanguage.ȱȱInȱadditionȱtoȱGeneȇsȱdispositionȱtowardsȱproblemȱsolvingȱwhichȱattractedȱGeneȱtowardsȱ

computers,ȱheȱalsoȱhadȱinterestȱinȱbecomingȱaȱȈdoctorȈȱsoȱheȱstartedȱhisȱundergraduateȱworkȱatȱJohnsȱHopkinsȱin

ȱ1980ȱonȱaȱ

degreeȱinȱBiomedicalȱEngineering.ȱȱThisȱcombinedȱhisȱclinicalȱaspirationsȱwithȱhisȱanalytical,ȱresearchȬoriented,ȱengineeringȱ

ambitions.ȱ

Theȱuniversityȱsetting,ȱincludingȱsummerȱjobs,ȱgaveȱGeneȱexperienceȱworkingȱonȱresearchȱprojects.ȱȱEvenȱthoughȱheȱspentȱaȱ

lotȱofȱtimeȱinȱtheȱlabȱworkingȱonȱanimals,ȱtechnologyȱwasȱeverȱpresent.ȱȱ

Forȱexample,ȱtheȱresearchȱlabsȱhadȱaȱRadioȱShackȱ

TRSȬ80ȱcomputerȱcontrollingȱaȱdogȇsȱheartȱrate.ȱȱTheȱcombinationȱofȱtechnologyȱasȱappliedȱtoȱmedicalȱresearchȱwasȱfascinatingȱ

becauseȱitȱwasȱveryȱȈFrankensteinȈ.ȱȱSimilarȱtoȱhowȱtinkeringȱwithȱearlyȱ8ȬbitȱcomputersȱgaveȱGeneȱtheȱfundamentalsȱofȱ

softwareȱdevelopment,

ȱtheȱlaboratoryȱheȱworkedȱinȱgaveȱhimȱaȱfoundationȱforȱmedicalȱresearchȱwhichȱlaterȱaidedȱhimȱinȱhisȱ

workȱonȱclinicalȱtrials.ȱ

AlthoughȱheȱdidȱnotȱuseȱSASȱyet,ȱJohnsȱHopkinsȱandȱhisȱgraduateȱworkȱatȱCaseȱWesternȱReserveȱUniversityȱdidȱallowȱGeneȱ

toȱworkȱwithȱBMPD.ȱȱThisȱwasȱanotherȱ

statisticalȱsoftwareȱpackageȱatȱtheȱtimeȱwhichȱallowedȱhimȱtoȱrunȱstatisticalȱmodelsȱ

suchȱasȱonȱANOVA,ȱTȬTESTȱwhichȱwereȱinȱroutinesȱsimilarȱtoȱSASȱPROCs.ȱ

TheȱFirstȱJobȱ

OneȱofȱtheȱfirstȱjobsȱthatȱGeneȱstartedȱtoȱworkȱonȱafterȱhisȱMastersȱdegreeȱinȱBiomedicalȱEngineeringȱwasȱworkingȱas

ȱaȱDataȱ

ManagerȱinȱLosȱAngelesȱforȱaȱnonȬprofitȱorganizationȱnamedȱLosȱAngelesȱRegionalȱFamilyȱPlanningȱCouncil.ȱȱHeȱworkedȱonȱ

projectsȱdealingȱwithȱclinicalȱtrialsȱonȱcontraceptivesȱsuchȱasȱtheȱIUDȱandȱnonȬlatexȱcondoms.ȱȱGeneȱworkedȱcloselyȱwithȱtheȱ

dataȱinȱaȱroleȱasȱaȱȱDBA/DataȱManagerȱusingȱ

dBaseȱIIIȱwithȱtasksȱsuchȱasȱdefiningȱtheȱdatabaseȱstructureȱandȱsettingȱupȱdataȱ

entryȱscreens.ȱȱHeȱwasȱalsoȱintroducedȱtoȱSASȱbutȱhadȱlimitedȱresourcesȱsinceȱthereȱwereȱnoȱotherȱSASȱprogrammersȱinȱtheȱ

entireȱorganization.ȱȱHeȱthereforeȱreferredȱtoȱhisȱmanagerȱwhoȱhadȱaȱstatisticalȱbackground,ȱbutȱwasȱlimited

ȱinȱSASȱ

knowledgeȱandȱheȱalsoȱusedȱSASȱreferenceȱmanuals.ȱȱGeneȱenjoyedȱlearningȱprogrammingȱonȱhisȱownȱandȱpurchasedȱ

additionalȱSASȱmanualsȱdirectlyȱfromȱSASȱInstituteȱtoȱteachȱtheȱSASȱlanguageȱtoȱhimself.ȱȱȱ.ȱ

AsȱaȱDatabaseȱManager,ȱGeneȱworkedȱcloselyȱonȱdataȱdiscrepanciesȱsuchȱasȱprogrammingȱeditȱchecksȱandȱ

theȱprocessȱofȱ

transferringȱdataȱfromȱdBaseȱtoȱSASȱviaȱflatȱASCIIȱfiles.ȱȱOnceȱheȱhadȱtheȱdataȱinȱSAS,ȱheȱwasȱableȱtoȱgenerateȱdescriptiveȱ

statisticsȱusingȱPROCȱMEANS,ȱFREQȱandȱUNIVARIATE.ȱȱTheȱprogrammingȱpracticesȱbeingȱconductedȱwereȱnotȱasȱformallyȱ

structuredȱasȱinȱaȱtypicalȱclinicalȱtrial.ȱȱAsȱa

ȱpolicy,ȱpermanentȱanalysisȱfilesȱwereȱneverȱsaved,ȱbutȱinsteadȱtheȱsameȱSASȱ

programȱwouldȱimportȱtheȱsourceȱdata,ȱcreateȱtemporaryȱanalysisȱfiles,ȱandȱdirectlyȱgenerateȱstatisticalȱreportsȱ.ȱȱAtȱthisȱpoint,ȱ

GeneȱonlyȱdabbledȱinȱSASȱandȱitȱhadȱnotȱyetȱbecomeȱhisȱmainȱjob.ȱ

AfterȱleavingȱLA,ȱheȱmovedȱ

toȱtheȱSanȱFranciscoȱBayȱAreaȱtoȱworkȱforȱaȱmedicalȱdeviceȱcompanyȱdealingȱwithȱlaserȱeyeȱ

surgeryȱnamedȱVISX.ȱȱHeȱsoughtȱoutȱthisȱnewȱpositionȱasȱaȱbiomedicalȱengineer,ȱsinceȱitȱmatchedȱhisȱcollegeȱeducation.ȱȱ

Althoughȱheȱdidȱinitiallyȱaccomplishȱsomeȱengineeringȱimprovementsȱonȱtheirȱproduct,ȱhisȱbackgroundȱinȱworking

ȱwithȱ

clinicalȱdataȱultimatelyȱdictatedȱhisȱroleȱatȱVISX.ȱȱȱSinceȱGeneȱhadȱbeenȱworkingȱasȱaȱdataȱmanager,ȱtheyȱhadȱplacedȱhimȱinȱaȱ

positionȱworkingȱcloselyȱwithȱtheirȱDOSȬbasedȱParadoxȱdatabaseȱwithȱanalysisȱinȱSAS.ȱȱHeȱcontinuedȱworkingȱonȱtheȱdataȱ

discrepancyȱmanagementȱwhichȱwasȱthenȱexportedȱtoȱ

SASȱforȱanalysis.ȱȱSinceȱthisȱmedicalȱdeviceȱwasȱVISXȇsȱmajorȱproductȱ

andȱitsȱmajorȱcompetitor,ȱSummitȱTechnologies,ȱwasȱdevelopingȱaȱsimilarȱproduct,ȱthereȱwereȱtremendousȱtimelineȱpressuresȱ

toȱgetȱtheȱdataȱsubmittedȱtoȱtheȱFDAȱforȱapprovalȱandȱbeatȱtheirȱcompetitorȱtoȱtheȱopenȱmarket.ȱȱSoȱVISXȱdecidedȱtoȱhire

ȱSASȱ

consultantsȱtoȱassistȱinȱachievingȱthisȱgoal.ȱȱAlthoughȱmarketingȱapprovalȱforȱVISXȇsȱproductȱwasȱvirtuallyȱcompletedȱinȱ

CanadaȱandȱEurope,ȱtheyȱwereȱstillȱinȱtheȱprocessȱofȱgettingȱapprovalȱinȱtheȱUSAȱandȱthereforeȱwereȱsubmittingȱtheȱclinicalȱ

trialȱreportsȱtoȱtheȱFDA.ȱȱPartȱofȱGeneȇsȱresponsibilitiesȱ

wasȱtoȱguideȱtheȱSASȱconsultantsȱinȱtheirȱjob.ȱȱHeȱwasȱnotȱtheirȱformalȱ

managerȱbutȱheȱworkedȱcloselyȱwithȱthemȱsinceȱheȱunderstoodȱtheȱmeaningȱofȱtheȱdataȱandȱhadȱsomeȱexperienceȱwithȱSASȱ

programming.ȱȱHeȱcouldȱbridgeȱtheȱgapȱbetweenȱwhatȱtopicsȱtheȱstatisticiansȱwantedȱtoȱreportȱonȱand

ȱhowȱSASȱprogrammingȱ

couldȱaccomplishȱtheseȱtasks.ȱȱThisȱwasȱanȱeyeȱopeningȱexperienceȱinȱthatȱforȱtheȱfirstȱtime,ȱheȱdiscoveredȱthatȱthereȱexistedȱ

suchȱaȱjobȱwhereȱyouȱcanȱprogramȱinȱSASȱ100%ȱofȱtheȱtimeȱasȱaȱjob!ȱȱThisȱintriguedȱhimȱsinceȱheȱdidȱnotȱcareȱforȱtheȱ

administrativeȱaspectȱofȱtheȱjobsȱheȱhadȱseen.ȱȱTheseȱSASȱconsultantsȱwouldȱjustȱcomeȱin,ȱfocusȱonȱtheirȱworkȱandȱwereȱnotȱ

involvedȱinȱasȱmuchȱmeetingsȱorȱofficeȱpolitics.ȱȱTheseȱguysȱwereȱȈdoȬersȈȱnotȱȈtalkersȈ.ȱȱTheyȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱadministrativeȱ

tasksȱsuchȱasȱdealingȱwithȱyearlyȱperformanceȱreviews

ȱandȱwereȱjustȱthereȱtoȱdoȱaȱspecificȱjob.ȱȱGeneȱsawȱthisȱasȱaȱrefreshingȱ

alternativeȱwayȱofȱworking.ȱȱHeȱalsoȱlikedȱhowȱtheseȱconsultantsȱhadȱopportunitiesȱtoȱexperienceȱhowȱdifferentȱcompaniesȱ

operatedȱsinceȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱstayȱatȱoneȱcompanyȱasȱlongȱasȱpermanentȱemployees.ȱȱThisȱvarietyȱofȱworkȱ

keptȱtheseȱconsultantsȱ

onȱtheirȱtoesȱandȱpreventedȱthemȱfromȱfallingȱintoȱaȱrut,ȱwithȱboredomȱandȱstagnation.ȱ

5

ThisȱinsightȱencouragedȱGeneȱtoȱcontinueȱtoȱlearnȱmoreȱaboutȱSASȱthroughȱtheȱuseȱofȱtheȱfewȱSASȱmanualsȱheȱhadȱaccessȱto.ȱȱ

Heȱalsoȱlearnedȱbyȱseeingȱsampleȱcodeȱthatȱtheseȱconsultantsȱwouldȱshareȱwithȱhim.ȱȱGeneȱwasȱnowȱspendingȱ50%ȱofȱhisȱtimeȱ

workingȱonȱSASȱwhichȱwasȱmore ȱthanȱheȱhadȱeverȱdoneȱbefore.ȱ

TransitionȱtoȱConsultingȱ

ThereȱwereȱcorporateȱchallengesȱatȱVISXȱwhichȱleadȱtoȱlayoffs.ȱȱThisȱandȱotherȱmanagementȱturmoilȱleadȱGeneȱtoȱtryȱoutȱtheȱ

consultingȱworldȱstartingȱwithȱworkȱatȱRocheȱBiosciences.ȱȱItȱstartedȱoutȱasȱaȱ3ȱmonthȱcontractȱwhichȱisȱtypicalȱforȱ

anȱinitialȱ

contract.ȱȱThisȱintroductoryȱperiodȱallowedȱtheȱcompanyȱtoȱevaluateȱtheȱconsultantȱtoȱseeȱifȱitȱworkedȱoutȱwithoutȱmakingȱaȱ

bigȱcommitment.ȱȱIfȱthingsȱwentȱsmoothlyȱandȱthereȱwasȱworkȱtoȱbeȱdone,ȱitȱwasȱnormallyȱextended.ȱȱGeneȱworkedȱonȱtheȱ

precursorȱtoȱOracleȱClinicalȱknownȱasȱRx/Clinicalȱwhich

ȱisȱtheȱclinicalȱtrialsȱrelationalȱdatabaseȱjointlyȱdevelopedȱbyȱOracleȱ

andȱSyntex,ȱwhichȱlaterȱbecameȱRocheȱBiosciences.ȱȱEvenȱthoughȱheȱstartedȱoutȱworkingȱinȱtheȱroleȱasȱaȱdataȱmanagement,ȱ

GeneȱgrewȱintoȱtheȱpositionȱofȱaȱSASȱprogrammerȱandȱcontinuedȱtoȱworkȱasȱaȱconsultantȱatȱRocheȱforȱthreeȱ

andȱaȱhalfȱyears.ȱȱ

ThisȱwasȱwhereȱheȱlearnedȱtheȱmajorityȱofȱhisȱSASȱprogrammingȱskills.ȱȱDuringȱtheseȱsameȱyears,ȱGeneȱnoticedȱthatȱthereȱ

wereȱsomeȱindividualsȱinȱthisȱlargeȱorganizationȱwhoȱbeganȱtoȱhaveȱaȱȈDMVȈȱmentality.ȱȱAfterȱyearsȱofȱworkingȱinȱaȱ

bureaucraticȱorganization,ȱtheyȱlackedȱtheȱdesireȱto

ȱlearnȱnewȱthingsȱandȱbecameȱlessȱmotivated.ȱȱSomeȱofȱhisȱcolleaguesȱwereȱ

inȱtheȱsameȱcompanyȱforȱtensȱofȱyears.ȱȱHeȱbeganȱtoȱseeȱhowȱthisȱstagnationȱcreptȱintoȱhisȱworkȱroutineȱasȱwell,ȱevenȱthoughȱ

heȱwasȱaȱconsultant.ȱȱThisȱrealizationȱwokeȱGeneȱupȱtoȱtheȱrealityȱthatȱperhapsȱ

heȱwasȱalsoȱfallingȱintoȱthisȱstagnation,ȱandȱ

keepingȱtrueȱtoȱhisȱoriginalȱreasonsȱforȱbecomingȱaȱconsultant,ȱheȱdecidedȱtoȱmakeȱaȱchange.ȱ

GeneȱventuredȱintoȱaȱshortȱcontractȱwithȱQuintilesȱPacificȱdownȱtheȱPeninsulaȱinȱMountainȱView.ȱȱThisȱwasȱtheȱfirstȱtimeȱheȱ

workedȱinȱaȱClinicalȱResearchȱOrganization

ȱ(CRO)ȱwhichȱwasȱdifferentȱfromȱhisȱexperienceȱwithȱaȱpharmaceuticalȱcompany.ȱȱ

Hisȱinitialȱthoughtsȱwereȱthatȱsinceȱitȱwasȱaȱserviceȱorganization,ȱtheȱworkȱwouldȱbeȱvariedȱsinceȱtheyȱwereȱservicingȱmanyȱ

differentȱclientsȱatȱtheȱsameȱtime.ȱȱItȱturnedȱoutȱhoweverȱthatȱmanyȱclientsȱrelyȱonȱtheȱCROȱtoȱ

dictateȱtheȱstandardsȱandȱtheȱ

wayȱtheȱworkȱwasȱdone.ȱȱItȱthereforeȱturnedȱoutȱthatȱtheȱworkȱwasȱstillȱdoneȱmostlyȱinȱtheȱsameȱwayȱacrossȱdifferentȱclientsȱ

andȱprojects.ȱ

TheȱdesireȱtoȱlearnȱnewȱthingsȱandȱworkȱinȱdifferentȱenvironmentsȱdroveȱGeneȱtoȱcontinueȱintoȱotherȱprojects.ȱȱHeȱhadȱheard

ȱ

fromȱotherȱSASȱconsultantsȱthatȱfindingȱjobsȱonȱyourȱownȱwasȱtheȱwayȱtoȱearnȱtheȱbiggestȱsalary.ȱȱDespiteȱthisȱfact,ȱGeneȱ

reliedȱonȱjobȱplacementȱfirmsȱsuchȱasȱTrilogyȱandȱASGȱtoȱlandȱhimȱnewȱopportunities.ȱȱGeneȱpreferredȱworkingȱinȱthisȱ

mannerȱbecauseȱheȱreliedȱonȱtheȱmarketingȱresourcesȱ

ofȱtheseȱfirmsȱtoȱfindȱhimȱtheȱprojectsȱsoȱheȱcouldȱjustȱfocusȱonȱȇdoingȱ

theȱworkȱandȱnotȱtryingȱtoȱfindȱtheȱworkȇ.ȱȱIfȱoneȱisȱlucky,ȱthereȱisȱalwaysȱsomethingȱnewȱandȱinterestingȱtoȱlearnȱwithinȱeachȱ

workȱenvironment.ȱȱAtȱPharmacyclics,ȱheȱworkedȱwithȱtheȱTrialexȱSystemȱwhich

ȱwasȱaȱbrowserȱbasedȱthinȱclientȱsoftwareȱtoȱ

manageȱreportsȱandȱanalysisȱfilesȱheȱcreatedȱusingȱSAS.ȱȱNowȱlivingȱinȱNorthȱCarolina,ȱhisȱcurrentȱprojectȱisȱforȱSchwarzȱ

Bioscience,ȱwhichȱisȱactuallyȱbasedȱinȱGermany.ȱȱHeȱhoweverȱworksȱatȱhomeȱmostȱofȱtheȱtimeȱconnectingȱtoȱserversȱinȱ

Germany.ȱȱWhenȱ

Geneȱstarted,ȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱcubeȱspaceȱinȱtheirȱNorthȱCarolinaȱoffice,ȱsoȱtheȱarrangementȱwasȱforȱhimȱtoȱ

connectȱviaȱhisȱcableȱmodemȱfromȱhomeȱandȱworkȱthroughȱaȱremoteȱdesktopȱwithinȱaȱCitrixȱenvironment.ȱȱMostȱofȱtheȱtime,ȱitȱ

workedȱwellȱbutȱonceȱinȱaȱwhile,ȱhisȱkeyboard

ȱwouldȱspontaneouslyȱswitchȱtoȱaȱGermanȱstyleȱkeyboardȱandȱhisȱUltraeditȱ

editorȱwouldȱcreateȱunexpectedȱcharactersȱsoȱheȱwouldȱhaveȱtoȱlogȱoutȱandȱbackȱinȱtoȱuseȱanȱEnglishȱkeyboardȱagain.ȱ

DifferentȱorganizationsȱhaveȱdifferentȱapproachesȱtowardsȱvalidationȱofȱSASȱprograms.ȱȱThisȱisȱpartlyȱdueȱtoȱvaryingȱ

interpretationsȱofȱ

theȱregulationsȱandȱalsoȱdueȱtoȱhowȱdifferentȱmanagersȱandȱorganizationsȱfunction.ȱȱAtȱthisȱcurrentȱproject,ȱ

SchwarzȱBiosciencesȱhasȱanȱapproachȱofȱvalidatingȱallȱtheȱoutputȱ100%.ȱȱThisȱmeansȱthatȱthereȱisȱanȱindependentȱprogrammerȱ

whoȱwouldȱproduceȱtheȱsameȱnumbersȱinȱaȱseparateȱSASȱprogramȱstoredȱinȱaȱseparateȱSAS

ȱdatasetȱwhichȱisȱdistinctȱfromȱ

thoseȱthatȱareȱmeantȱtoȱbeȱsubmittedȱtoȱtheȱFDA.ȱȱThisȱmeansȱthatȱthereȱisȱaȱseparateȱprogramȱthatȱperformsȱaȱPROCȱ

COMPAREȱtoȱensureȱthatȱtheȱtwoȱsetsȱofȱnumbersȱareȱidenticalȱbeforeȱitȱisȱdeemedȱȈvalidatedȈ.ȱȱWhenȱGeneȱfirstȱstarted,ȱheȱ

primarilyȱ

didȱtheȱduplicateȱvalidationȱtypeȱprogramming.ȱȱNowȱthatȱheȱhasȱbeenȱonȱtheȱprojectȱlonger,ȱheȱisȱdoingȱmoreȱofȱtheȱ

originalȱprogrammingȱthatȱwillȱbeȱpartȱofȱtheȱsubmission.ȱȱȱ

Sinceȱheȱworksȱremotely,ȱGeneȇsȱmainȱmethodȱofȱcommunicatingȱwithȱhisȱcoworkersȱisȱthroughȱemail.ȱȱNinetyȱpercentȱofȱtheȱ

time,

ȱhisȱemailȱandȱcommunicationsȱareȱdealingȱwithȱdetailedȱinformationȱsuchȱasȱdata,ȱfile,ȱandȱvariableȱnames.ȱȱHeȱdoesȱ

recognizeȱthatȱatȱtimes,ȱitȱdoesȱtakeȱaȱlittleȱlongerȱtoȱdescribeȱorȱshowȱsomeoneȱsomethingȱinȱemailȱwhereasȱifȱheȱwereȱtoȱbeȱ

physicallyȱinȱfrontȱofȱthem,ȱitȱwouldȱbeȱ faster.ȱȱȱ

ResourcefulȱReinventionȱ

GeneȱhasȱfoundȱmanyȱcreativeȱandȱresourcefulȱwaysȱtoȱlearnȱandȱreinventȱhimselfȱasȱaȱSASȱconsultant.ȱȱEvenȱbeforeȱheȱstartedȱ

workingȱprofessionally,ȱhisȱinterestȱinȱ8Ȭbitȱmicroprocessorsȱandȱworkingȱatȱtheȱelectronicȱcircuitryȱlevelȱcoincidedȱwithȱhisȱ

tinkeringȱtendenciesȱandȱattentionȱtoȱdetailȱpersonality.ȱȱThisȱinclination

ȱtoȱfocusȱonȱtheȱdetailsȱgrewȱasȱheȱworkedȱwithȱdataȱ

discrepancies.ȱȱIfȱGeneȱwereȱtoȱfindȱoneȱdataȱissue,ȱitȱwouldȱbotherȱhimȱtoȱjustȱleaveȱtheȱrestȱalone.ȱȱHeȱhasȱtoȱthenȱinvestigateȱ

6

theȱrestȱtoȱensureȱthatȱthereȱareȱnoȱsuchȱproblemsȱoccurringȱelsewhere.ȱȱThereȱisȱaȱcertainȱsatisfactionȱandȱcomfortȱknowingȱ

thatȱheȱcanȱferretȱoutȱallȱtheȱdiscrepanciesȱthatȱexistȱinȱaȱdatabase.ȱAnȱinclinationȱtoȱfocusȱonȱdetailsȱalsoȱhelpsȱinȱdebuggingȱ

SASȱprogramsȱcreatedȱbyȱothers.ȱ

Heȱdidȱnot

ȱattendȱSASȱtrainingȱcourses.ȱȱInstead,ȱGeneȱgravitatedȱtowardsȱgettingȱhisȱconsultantȱfirmȱtoȱpayȱforȱtheȱSASȱ

referenceȱmanualsȱheȱrequested.ȱȱHeȱactuallyȱappreciatedȱtheȱcostȱeffectivenessȱofȱuserȱmanualsȱsinceȱitȱisȱaȱcontinuousȱsourceȱ

ofȱknowledgeȱthatȱcanȱbeȱreferencedȱoverȱandȱover.ȱȱGoodȱreferenceȱmanualsȱhadȱsampleȱ

codeȱthatȱcouldȱbeȱusedȱasȱtemplatesȱ

toȱalgorithmsȱinȱrealȱworldȱapplications.ȱȱGeneȱstartedȱhisȱownȱpersonalȱelectronicȱlibraryȱofȱsampleȱcodeȱthatȱheȱrefersȱtoȱonȱ

occasions.ȱȱThisȱprocessȱstartedȱinȱhisȱearlyȱdaysȱwhenȱheȱfirstȱstartedȱworkingȱwithȱSASȱconsultantsȱpriorȱtoȱhimȱbecomingȱaȱ

fullȱtime

ȱSASȱprogrammer.ȱȱSinceȱthen,ȱheȱcontinuedȱaddingȱtoȱitȱfromȱotherȱprogrammers,ȱincludingȱoriginalȱalgorithmsȱheȱ

cameȱupȱwithȱandȱcodeȱthatȱheȱacquiredȱatȱSASȱconferences.ȱȱRegardingȱSASȱconferences,ȱheȱseesȱSUGIȱbeingȱtheȱbiggestȱandȱ

theȱmostȱexpensive.ȱȱThereȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱaȱlargerȱrepresentationȱofȱmoreȱseasonedȱ

SASȱprogrammersȱandȱmanagersȱthatȱattendȱ

SUGIȱasȱcomparedȱtoȱotherȱSASȱconferences.ȱȱHeȱseesȱitȱasȱnotȱnecessarilyȱfocusedȱonȱtheȱPharmaceuticalȱindustryȱsoȱitȱisȱonlyȱ

byȱchanceȱtoȱfindȱaȱpaperȱwithȱsubstanceȱandȱrelevance.ȱȱGeneȱprefersȱtheȱsmallerȱregionalȱconferencesȱorȱPharmaSUGȱwhereȱ

thereȱisȱmoreȱdiversity

ȱofȱattendeesȱandȱtheȱfocusȱofȱtheȱtalksȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱmoreȱrelevantȱforȱhim.ȱȱRecently,ȱheȱhadȱsharedȱhisȱ

originalȱSASȱapplicationsȱasȱaȱspeakerȱatȱtheseȱconferences.ȱȱGeneȱisȱconstantlyȱsharpeningȱhisȱskillsȱandȱlookingȱforȱinsightȱbyȱ

theseȱmanyȱresourcefulȱapproaches.ȱȱItȱisȱaȱDarwinianȱworldȱwhereȱ ifȱheȱsharpensȱhisȱtoolsȱandȱconstantlyȱreinventsȱhimselfȱ

byȱlearningȱnewȱthings,ȱheȱwouldȱsurviveȱandȱthriveȱasȱaȱSASȱprogrammer.ȱ

ȱ ȱ STATISTICALȱPROGRAMMERȱȬȱSUZYȱQȱ There are many career paths. Sometimes, it is the unexpected and unplanned ones that turn out to be the path that best fits your personality and talents. ȱ

Inȱtheȱearlyȱ1960ȇsȱwhenȱSuzyȱwentȱtoȱcollege,ȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱcomputerȱscienceȱasȱaȱmajor.ȱȱSuzyȱmajoredȱinȱmathematicsȱ

forȱherȱfirstȱtwoȱyearsȱatȱUCȱBerkeley.ȱȱSheȱfoundȱupperȱdivisionȱmathȱclassesȱratherȱdifficultȱandȱdecidedȱtoȱswitchȱtoȱ

psychology,ȱkeepingȱmathȱasȱaȱminor.ȱȱPsychology

ȱwasȱaȱveryȱdifferentȱdisciplineȱcomparedȱtoȱmathematicsȱbutȱitȱwasȱveryȱ

inlineȱwithȱherȱinterestȱinȱteaching.ȱȱThroughoutȱherȱacademicȱexperience,ȱthereȱwereȱnoȱcomputerȱclassesȱofferedȱforȱliberalȱ

artsȱmajors.ȱȱTheȱonlyȱtechnologyȱusedȱatȱtheȱtimeȱforȱpsychȱstatisticsȱclassesȱwasȱaȱgiantȱcalculatorȱthatȱlookedȱlikeȱ

aȱ typewriterȱwithȱaȱcrankȱhandleȱforȱtheȱȈenterȈȱkey.ȱ

SuzyȱgraduatedȱinȱJuneȱ1966ȱandȱplannedȱtoȱgetȱaȱteachingȱcredentialȱstartingȱtheȱfollowingȱfall.ȱȱDuringȱthatȱsummer,ȱsheȱhadȱ

plansȱtoȱworkȱasȱaȱcocktailȱwaitressȱinȱTahoe.ȱȱHerȱfatherȱdidȱnotȱthinkȱthatȱthisȱwasȱaȱfittingȱjobȱafterȱallȱherȱeducation.ȱȱHeȱ

thereforeȱcontactedȱaȱfriendȱto

ȱarrangeȱforȱanȱinterviewȱwhichȱresultedȱinȱanȱinternshipȱjobȱatȱIBM.ȱȱSuzyȱwasȱoverwhelmedȱatȱ

firstȱduringȱtrainingȱsinceȱthereȱwasȱaȱgroupȱofȱ41ȱsummerȱinternsȱandȱsheȱwasȱtheȱonlyȱfemale.ȱȱThisȱwasȱherȱfirstȱ

introductionȱtoȱcomputerȱprogrammingȱwhichȱincludedȱlanguagesȱsuchȱasȱCOBOLȱandȱFORTRAN.ȱȱ

Theȱprogramsȱwereȱ

executedȱonȱanȱIBMȱ360ȱcomputer.ȱȱSheȱusedȱaȱterminalȱwhichȱranȱIBMȇsȱearlyȱversionȱofȱDOSȱthatȱpreȬdatedȱanyȱPCsȱorȱ

Microsoftȱoperatingȱsystems.ȱȱThisȱjobȱwasȱanȱeyeȱopenerȱforȱSuzyȱsinceȱsheȱwasȱfascinatedȱwithȱtechnologyȱandȱ

programming.ȱȱȱ

Afterȱthatȱsummerȱsheȱcontinued

ȱonȱherȱcareerȱpathȱtoȱbecomeȱanȱelementaryȱschoolȱteacher.ȱȱSheȱdiscoveredȱthatȱtheȱstudentȱ

teachingȱprogramȱatȱBerkeleyȱwasȱnotȱfullyȱchallengingȱherȱsoȱsheȱquit.ȱȱTheȱinternshipȱpositionȱthatȱsheȱheldȱinȱtheȱpastȱleadȱ

SuzyȱtoȱapplyȱforȱaȱfullȱtimeȱpositionȱwithȱIBMȱasȱaȱSystemsȱ Engineer.ȱȱTheȱjobȱentailedȱdoingȱbothȱprogrammingȱandȱ

operatingȱsystemȱupgradesȱalongȱwithȱenhancementsȱforȱclientsȱsuchȱasȱKaiserȱAluminumȱandȱtheȱSFȱChronicle.ȱȱSuzyȱtaughtȱ

programmingȱclassesȱforȱIBMȱtoȱclientsȱinȱCOBOL,ȱRPG,ȱandȱAssemblerȱLanguage.ȱȱSuzyȇsȱhusbandȱservedȱinȱtheȱmilitaryȱ

duringȱthatȱtimeȱsoȱsheȱtraveled

ȱwithȱhimȱwhileȱjugglingȱprogrammingȱjobsȱandȱsubstituteȱteaching.ȱȱOnceȱtheyȱarrivedȱtoȱtheȱ

SanȱFranciscoȱBayȱArea,ȱSuzyȱstartedȱtoȱworkȱforȱBechtelȱinȱtheirȱcorporateȱITȱdepartmentȱasȱanȱoperatingȱsystemȱ

programmer.ȱ

ȱȱ

SuzyȱtookȱsomeȱtimeȱoffȱtoȱraiseȱaȱfamilyȱbeforeȱsheȱreȬenteredȱtheȱworkȱforce

ȱonȱaȱpartȬtimeȱbasis.ȱȱSheȱtaughtȱAssemblerȱ

LanguageȱprogrammingȱatȱLaneyȱCollegeȱforȱaȱcoupleȱofȱyears.ȱȱThisȱwasȱrewardingȱbutȱitȱwasȱalsoȱfrustratingȱsinceȱherȱ

studentsȱstruggledȱtoȱgetȱcomputerȱjobsȱafterȱcompletingȱtheirȱprogrammingȱclasses.ȱȱTheyȱhadȱtoȱhaveȱ2ȱyearsȱofȱcomputerȱ

experienceȱbeforeȱtheyȱ

couldȱgetȱaȱjobȱinȱtheȱfield,ȱsoȱitȱwasȱveryȱdifficultȱgettingȱthatȱinitialȱfootȱinȱtheȱdoor.ȱȱAfterȱherȱ

7

teachingȱposition,ȱSuzyȱworkedȱforȱaȱfreightȱcompanyȱwhereȱsheȱstartedȱoutȱdoingȱdataȱentry.ȱȱSheȱthenȱobtainedȱaȱpromotionȱ

toȱaȱprogrammingȱpositionȱshortlyȱafter.ȱȱInȱthisȱjob,ȱsheȱwasȱresponsibleȱforȱproducingȱlistingsȱandȱsummaryȱtables.ȱȱTheȱ

workȱkeptȱherȱchallengedȱbutȱtheȱdataȱwasȱveryȱdry.ȱȱSheȱhad

ȱanȱinterestȱinȱscienceȱandȱmedicineȱandȱwantedȱtoȱworkȱinȱtheȱ

newȱbiotechȱindustryȱwhereȱtheȱdataȱdealtȱwithȱhumanȱclinicalȱtrials.ȱȱ

SuzyȱthenȱenrolledȱinȱaȱmastersȱprogramȱatȱHaywardȱStateȱUniversityȱtoȱstudyȱstatistics.ȱȱThisȱenabledȱherȱtoȱgainȱtheȱ

credentialsȱsheȱneededȱtoȱworkȱinȱtheȱ

biotechȱindustry.ȱȱThisȱwasȱherȱfirstȱintroductionȱtoȱSAS.ȱȱTheȱUniversityȱalsoȱtaughtȱ

SPSSȱandȱBMDPȱsoftwareȱforȱstatisticalȱmodeling.ȱȱSheȱenjoyedȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱclassedȱwereȱsmallȱwithȱonlyȱbetweenȱ20ȱtoȱ30ȱ

studentsȱperȱclass.ȱȱThisȱincreasedȱtheȱinteractionȱbetweenȱstudentsȱandȱprofessors.ȱȱSheȱwasȱoriginallyȱplanningȱto

ȱbecomeȱaȱ

statisticianȱbutȱrealizedȱthatȱmostȱcompaniesȱrequireȱaȱPhDȱinȱstatisticsȱtoȱfunctionȱinȱthatȱrole.ȱȱHerȱdegreeȱwasȱmoreȱsuitableȱ

forȱaȱjobȱasȱaȱbioanalystȱorȱSASȱprogrammer.ȱ

HerȱfirstȱpositionȱafterȱgraduationȱwasȱworkingȱforȱXOMAȱasȱaȱstatisticalȱprogrammer.ȱȱSheȱattributedȱherȱmasterȇsȱ

degreeȱtoȱ

helpingȱherȱobtainȱthisȱposition.ȱȱTheȱprogrammingȱexperienceȱthatȱsheȱhadȱinȱotherȱlanguagesȱalsoȱhelped.ȱȱThisȱisȱwhereȱsheȱ

learnedȱaboutȱtheȱinsȱandȱoutsȱofȱclinicalȱtrialsȱwhileȱperformingȱanalysisȱtoȱproduceȱtables,ȱlistingsȱandȱgraphs.ȱȱSheȱlearnedȱ

toȱstructureȱherȱworkȱandȱoptimizeȱprogrammingȱbyȱcreating ȱanalysisȱfilesȱandȱworkingȱmoreȱwithȱSASȱmacros.ȱȱSheȱattendedȱ

SASȱclassesȱandȱlearnedȱfromȱotherȱseniorȱSASȱprogrammersȱwhoȱworkedȱthereȱatȱXOMA.ȱȱȱ

SuzyȱthenȱmovedȱtoȱGenentechȱwhereȱsheȱworkedȱasȱaȱseniorȱSASȱprogrammer.ȱȱSheȱcontinuedȱtoȱlearnȱnewȱskillsȱfromȱSASȱ

conferencesȱandȱtheȱadditionalȱclassesȱ

sheȱtook.ȱȱHowever,ȱsheȱfoundȱthatȱtheȱbestȱwayȱforȱherȱtoȱlearnȱnewȱSASȱskillsȱwasȱtoȱ

workȱwithȱanotherȱexperiencedȱprogrammer.ȱȱSuzyȱisȱnowȱdoingȱworkȱinȱtheȱareaȱofȱelectronicȱsubmissionsȱandȱCaseȱReportȱ

Tabulations.ȱȱThisȱjobȱutilizesȱherȱknowledgeȱofȱclinicalȱdata,ȱSAS,ȱteachingȱskills,ȱandȱthe

ȱabilityȱtoȱworkȱwithȱdiverseȱ

programmingȱgroupsȱatȱGenentech.ȱȱSheȱenjoysȱbeingȱinvolvedȱwithȱprojectsȱwhereȱsheȱcanȱhelpȱtoȱcreateȱtheȱdocumentationȱ

forȱreviewersȱandȱdeliverȱaȱuserȱfriendlyȱsubmissionȱtoȱregulatoryȱagencies.ȱȱUponȱreflection,ȱthereȱwereȱtwoȱkeyȱmomentsȱforȱ

Suzyȱduringȱherȱcareerȱthatȱwasȱpivotal.ȱȱTheȱ

firstȱmomentȱincludedȱtakingȱtheȱsummerȱinternȱjobȱatȱIBMȱandȱtheȱsecondȱwasȱ

gettingȱaȱmasterȇsȱdegreeȱinȱstatistics.ȱȱSheȱhasȱbeenȱfortunateȱtoȱhaveȱfoundȱaȱgreatȱjobȱthatȱcombinesȱherȱvariousȱinterestsȱandȱ

talents.ȱ ȱ ȱ TELECOMMUTEȱPROGRAMMERȱȬȱANGELAȱRINGELBERGȱ Communicating effectively while adapting to changes are key attributes to becoming a successful telecommuting SAS programmer.

Angelaȱearnedȱaȱcomputerȱscienceȱdegreeȱinȱ1986ȱatȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱMobileȱAlabama.ȱȱSheȱdidȱnotȱprogramȱinȱSASȱduringȱ

school,ȱbutȱdidȱuseȱPL1ȱasȱtheȱprimaryȱprogrammingȱlanguage.ȱȱSheȱalsoȱdidȱassemblerȱprogrammingȱandȱdidȱnotȱapplyȱitȱ

towardsȱstatisticalȱmodelsȱsuchȱasȱinȱSAS.ȱȱWhenȱsheȱgraduated,

ȱitȱwasȱdifficultȱtoȱgetȱaȱjobȱsinceȱsheȱwasȱcaughtȱinȱtheȱbindȱofȱ

notȱhavingȱtheȱnecessaryȱprerequisiteȱexperience.ȱȱAngelaȱhadȱwantedȱtoȱdoȱsomethingȱrelatedȱtoȱherȱtechnicalȱtrainingȱinȱ

computersȱsoȱsheȱstartedȱtoȱworkȱthroughȱtemporaryȱplacementȱagencies.ȱȱȱ

Angelaȱstartedȱoutȱasȱaȱdataȱentryȱ

clerkȱforȱMcDonaldȱDouglasȱinȱPhoenix,ȱArizona.ȱȱSheȱcontinuedȱtoȱbeȱshuffledȱaroundȱonȱ

variousȱtemporaryȱprojectsȱdoingȱdataȱentry.ȱȱTheseȱjobsȱwereȱnotȱwithinȱanyȱspecificȱcareerȱpathȱorȱindustryȱsinceȱtheȱ

placementsȱwereȱmoreȱentryȱlevel.ȱȱSheȱthenȱstartedȱtoȱworkȱthroughȱJeanȱSimpson,ȱaȱlocalȱsmallȱagencyȱin

ȱShreveport,ȱLA,ȱ

whichȱplacedȱherȱatȱBootsȱPharmaceutical.ȱȱItȱwasȱanotherȱdataȱentryȱpositionȱbutȱafterȱthreeȱmonthsȱonȱtheȱjob,ȱsheȱ

progressedȱtoȱbecomeȱaȱSASȱprogrammer.ȱȱSheȱwasȱableȱtoȱaccomplishȱthisȱthroughȱtalkingȱtoȱvariousȱpeopleȱinȱtheȱ

organizationȱandȱinȱparticular,ȱtheȱbiostatisticsȱandȱdataȱmanagementȱ departments.ȱȱHerȱfirstȱintroductionȱtoȱSASȱ

programmingȱwasȱdoingȱeditȱchecks.ȱȱThisȱwasȱrelatedȱtoȱwhatȱsheȱwasȱdoingȱinȱthatȱitȱincludedȱalgorithmsȱwhichȱcheckȱforȱ

theȱaccuracyȱofȱtheȱdataȱwhichȱsheȱworkedȱwithȱduringȱherȱdataȱentryȱposition.ȱȱȱAlthoughȱsheȱdidȱnotȱworkȱonȱanalyzingȱtheȱ

dataȱstatistically,

ȱtheȱdataȱmanagementȱtasksȱinȱconjunctionȱwithȱusingȱtheȱClintrialsȱdatabase,ȱgaveȱherȱaȱbetterȱ

understandingȱofȱclinicalȱtrialsȱdata.ȱȱHerȱprogrammingȱtasksȱexpandedȱintoȱprogrammingȱadȱhocȱrequestsȱforȱpatientȱlistingsȱ

andȱdataȱlistings.ȱȱMostȱofȱtheȱknowledgeȱwasȱobtainedȱonȱtheȱjobȱbutȱsheȱdidȱalsoȱtakeȱsomeȱ

classesȱfromȱSASȱInstituteȱwhichȱ

taughtȱherȱmoreȱaboutȱSASȱmacrosȱandȱSAS/Graph.ȱȱAngelaȱstayedȱatȱBootsȱforȱfiveȱyearsȱandȱworkedȱherȱwayȱupȱtoȱ

becomingȱaȱsupervisor.ȱ

HerȱhusbandȱthenȱreceivedȱaȱtransferȱinȱhisȱjobȱtoȱSouthernȱCaliforniaȱatȱEdwardsȱAirȱForceȱBase.ȱȱItȱwasȱaboutȱtwoȱhours

ȱ

awayȱfromȱLosȱAngelesȱbutȱitȱwasȱaȱsmallerȱandȱmoreȱisolatedȱcommunity.ȱȱTheȱclosestȱbiotechȱcompanyȱwasȱAmgenȱbutȱthatȱ

8

wouldȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱtwoȱandȱaȱhalfȱhourȱcommute,ȱsoȱthatȱwasȱoutȱofȱtheȱquestion.ȱȱEvenȱthoughȱsheȱwasȱinȱCalifornia,ȱAngelaȱ

receivedȱaȱrequestȱfromȱherȱformerȱemployerȱatȱBootsȱPharmaceuticalȱtoȱworkȱonȱaȱCANDAȱproject.ȱȱAtȱtheȱtime,ȱmanyȱ

companiesȱwereȱpreparingȱaȱcomputerȱaidedȱnew

ȱdrugȱapplicationȱsoȱthatȱtheȱFDAȱcouldȱreviewȱtheȱinformationȱthroughȱtheȱ

computer.ȱȱItȱwasȱaȱboonȱforȱprogrammersȱbecauseȱmanyȱcompaniesȱneededȱthisȱsolution.ȱȱTheȱproblemȱwasȱthatȱeachȱ

companyȱhadȱtheirȱownȱCANDAȱwhichȱmadeȱitȱchallengingȱforȱFDAȱreviewers.ȱȱThereȱwasȱaȱlargeȱlearningȱcurveȱforȱ

reviewersȱ

toȱuseȱCANDAsȱbetweenȱdifferentȱcompanies.ȱȱAsȱaȱresult,ȱthisȱmethodȱisȱnoȱlongerȱusedȱbutȱitȱdidȱpresentȱanȱ

opportunityȱforȱAngelaȱtoȱworkȱremotelyȱatȱthatȱtime.ȱȱSheȱwasȱableȱtoȱuseȱherȱownȱPCȱtoȱlogȱintoȱtheȱremoteȱmachine.ȱȱTheȱ

employerȱevenȱgaveȱherȱSASȱlocallyȱto

ȱdoȱadditionalȱdevelopment.ȱȱȱ

AngelaȱbeganȱtoȱexploreȱotherȱtelecommutingȱprojectsȱthroughȱtheȱplacementȱfirmȱNovaTech.ȱȱSheȱworkedȱonȱprojectsȱforȱ

KnollȱPharmaceutical,ȱQuintiles,ȱNorvatis,ȱandȱNorfolkȱRailroadȱamongȱothers.ȱȱItȱworkedȱwellȱsinceȱsheȱwasȱableȱtoȱdoȱthisȱ

jobȱatȱherȱhome.ȱȱSheȱbeganȱtoȱmasterȱtheȱartȱofȱ

telecommuting.ȱȱAngelaȱwasȱthenȱknownȱasȱtheȱqueenȱofȱemail.ȱȱThisȱwasȱherȱ

mainȱformȱofȱcommunicationȱinȱadditionȱtoȱtheȱphone.ȱȱSheȱworkedȱforȱNovatechȱforȱsixȱyears.ȱȱNearȱtheȱend,ȱsheȱpickedȱupȱaȱ

projectȱforȱaȱCROȱnamedȱPharmaNet.ȱȱSheȱwasȱaȱcontractorȱatȱfirstȱworkingȱremotelyȱsince

ȱPharmanetȱisȱheadquarteredȱinȱ

NewȱJersey.ȱȱTheyȱhadȱdeliveredȱtoȱherȱaȱmachineȱandȱaȱprinterȱwithȱallȱtheȱsecurityȱandȱsoftwareȱpreȬinstalled.ȱȱWithȱaȱDSLȱ

connection,ȱsheȱwasȱableȱtoȱlogȱonȱviaȱtheȱVPNȱandȱsheȱwasȱableȱtoȱdoȱworkȱfromȱthenȱon.ȱȱThereȱwereȱsomeȱ

challengesȱatȱfirstȱ

sinceȱsheȱhadȱtoȱsometimesȱwakeȱupȱearlyȱtoȱattendȱ6amȱmeetingsȱPacificȱTimeȱwhichȱwasȱ9amȱonȱtheȱeastȱcoast.ȱȱSheȱ

primarilyȱcommunicatedȱwithȱtheȱprojectȱmanagerȱandȱstatisticianȱremotely.ȱȱAllȱtheȱannotatedȱCRFȱwereȱscannedȱ

electronicallyȱandȱemailedȱtoȱAngela.ȱȱIfȱsheȱneededȱtoȱseeȱit

ȱonȱpaper,ȱsheȱcouldȱjustȱprintȱitȱout.ȱȱSheȱcontinuedȱtoȱdoȱsomeȱ

validationȱprogrammingȱbutȱtheȱmajorityȱofȱtheȱtimeȱwasȱspentȱdevelopingȱsummaryȱtables,ȱlistings,ȱandȱgraphs.ȱȱȱ

Mostȱofȱtheȱmeetingsȱwereȱdoneȱoverȱtheȱphone.ȱȱHowever,ȱAngelaȱdidȱalsoȱexperimentȱwithȱNetȱMeetingȱandȱMShowȱwhichȱ

allowedȱ

desktopȱsharing.ȱȱEvenȱthoughȱsheȱstartedȱasȱaȱconsultant,ȱafterȱ5ȱmonths,ȱPharmaNetȱhiredȱherȱonȱasȱaȱpermanentȱ

employee.ȱȱȱ

Angelaȱhasȱaȱknackȱforȱworkingȱasȱaȱtelecommuter.ȱȱSheȱfeelsȱthatȱoneȱofȱtheȱprimaryȱskillsȱneededȱisȱtoȱhaveȱexcellentȱ

communicationȱskills.ȱȱThisȱcanȱmakeȱorȱbreakȱtheȱjob

ȱsinceȱeverythingȱhasȱtoȱbeȱcommunicatedȱthoughȱtheȱphoneȱorȱemail.ȱȱ

Sheȱalsoȱhasȱtheȱpassionȱforȱdoingȱthisȱsinceȱitȱgaveȱherȱbetterȱcontrolȱoverȱherȱscheduleȱandȱbetterȱqualityȱofȱlifeȱbyȱbeingȱ

closerȱtoȱherȱkids.ȱȱItȱalsoȱrequiresȱselfȬdisciplineȱsinceȱsheȱhasȱtoȱconstructȱherȱ

ownȱselfȱimposedȱ8ȱhourȱworkȱdaysȱwithoutȱ

supervisorȱenforcement.ȱȱOneȱskillȱsheȱpickedȱupȱwasȱtoȱkeepȱtabsȱonȱherȱprojectsȱandȱcommunicateȱherȱstatusȱtoȱvariousȱteamȱ

membersȱconstantly.ȱȱThatȱway,ȱtheyȱwouldȱknowȱwhereȱsheȱisȱatȱandȱsendȱherȱtheȱrightȱamountȱofȱprojectsȱatȱtheȱright

ȱtime.ȱȱ

Amongȱtheseȱskillsȱsets,ȱsheȱalsoȱhadȱtoȱgainȱaȱcertainȱlevelȱofȱtrustȱamongȱherȱcoȬworkersȱandȱsupervisor.ȱȱThisȱwasȱ

establishedȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱandȱworkedȱoutȱunderȱtheȱinitialȱcontract.ȱȱDuringȱthatȱtrialȱperiod,ȱifȱthingsȱdidnȇtȱworkȱout,ȱ

PharmaNetȱcouldȱeasilyȱendȱtheȱcontractȱ withoutȱanyȱlegalȱdifficulties.ȱȱȱ

Angelaȱhasȱaȱgoodȱcombinationȱofȱcommunicationȱskillsȱalongȱwithȱbeingȱveryȱadaptableȱinȱherȱwork.ȱȱSheȱmadeȱtheȱpivotalȱ

moveȱfromȱtheȱdataȱentryȱclerkȱintoȱSASȱprogrammingȱbyȱcommunicatingȱtoȱtheȱrightȱteam.ȱȱSheȱthenȱtransitionedȱandȱ

adaptedȱtoȱtheȱvariousȱprogrammingȱrequestsȱthatȱcame

ȱherȱwayȱevenȱthoughȱsheȱonlyȱhadȱexperienceȱinȱdataȱentry.ȱȱWhenȱ

sheȱwasȱrelocatedȱtoȱCaliforniaȱtoȱaȱsmallȱcommunity,ȱthisȱoutpostȱdidȱnotȱdeterȱherȱfromȱdoingȱherȱwork.ȱȱSheȱwasȱableȱtoȱ

adaptȱandȱreȬinventȱherselfȱasȱaȱtelecommutingȱprogrammer.ȱȱTheȱtechnologyȱinȱtelecommunicationsȱcombinedȱwithȱ

herȱ

talentsȱenablesȱAngelaȱtoȱbeȱaȱproductiveȱandȱvaluableȱresourceȱnoȱmatterȱwhereȱsheȱisȱlocated.ȱ

ȱ

CONCLUSIONȱ

TheȱmoreȱexamplesȱyouȱseeȱonȱhowȱindividualsȱbecomeȱclinicalȱSASȱprogrammers,ȱtheȱmoreȱuniqueȱtheyȱappear.ȱȱTheȱstoriesȱ

ofȱtheȱfourȱindividualsȱinȱthisȱpaperȱareȱderivedȱfromȱaȱlongerȱsetȱ

ofȱstoriesȱwithinȱtheȱbookȱBecomingȱAȱClinicalȱTrialsȱ

Programmer.ȱȱTheȱbookȱwillȱexploreȱinȱgreaterȱdetailȱcareerȱpathsȱalongȱwithȱtechnicalȱinformationȱbasedȱuponȱvaluableȱrealȱ

worldȱlessons.ȱȱThereȱisȱnoȱoneȱoptimalȱpathȱthatȱyouȱhaveȱtoȱtakeȱinȱorderȱtoȱbeȱsuccessfulȱinȱthisȱcareer.ȱȱTheȱstoriesȱsharedȱinȱ

thisȱpaperȱshowȱhowȱdiverseȱtheȱindividualsȱare

ȱinȱtheȱwayȱtheyȱtookȱtheirȱsteps.ȱȱEvenȱwithȱoneȱindividualȱsuchȱasȱSuzieȱQ,ȱȱ

manyȱturnsȱwereȱtakenȱinȱherȱcareerȱbeforeȱsettlingȱinȱthisȱwork.ȱȱPartȱofȱtheȱreasonȱwhyȱthisȱjobȱisȱsoȱdiverseȱisȱdueȱtoȱtheȱfactȱ

thatȱtheȱskillȱsetȱrequiredȱvariesȱasȱwell.ȱȱ

Thereȱisȱtheȱdomainȱknowledgeȱthatȱisȱneededȱtoȱunderstandȱtheȱclinicalȱdata.ȱȱThisȱisȱ

combinedȱwithȱtheȱtechnicalȱskillsȱofȱaȱcomputerȱprogrammer.ȱȱItȱisȱtheȱcombinationȱofȱtheseȱskillsȱwhichȱcreatesȱsuchȱaȱ

diverseȱsetȱofȱrequirements.ȱȱThereȱisȱaȱcertainȱlevelȱofȱaptitudeȱthatȱisȱrequiredȱtoȱperform

ȱwell.ȱTheȱindividualȱalsoȱneedsȱtoȱ

beȱinterestedȱandȱthereforeȱmaintainȱtheȱtenacityȱnecessaryȱtoȱovercomingȱchallengesȱinȱnavigatingȱthroughȱtheȱcareerȱpathȱofȱ

aȱSASȱprogrammerȱwithinȱtheȱBiotechȱandȱPharmaceuticalȱindustry.ȱ 9 ȱ

REFERENCESȱ

SASȱandȱallȱotherȱSASȱInstituteȱInc.ȱproductȱorȱserviceȱnamesȱareȱregisteredȱtrademarksȱorȱtrademarksȱofȱSASȱInstituteȱInc.ȱinȱ

theȱUSAȱandȱotherȱcountries.ȱ®ȱindicatesȱUSAȱregistration.ȱ

Otherȱbrandȱandȱproductȱnamesȱareȱregisteredȱtrademarksȱorȱtrademarksȱofȱtheirȱrespectiveȱcompanies.ȱ

ȱ

ABOUTȱTHEȱAUTHORȱ

SyȱTruongȱisȱPresidentȱofȱMXIȱ(MetaȬXceed,ȱInc.)ȱȱTheyȱmayȱbeȱcontactedȱat:ȱ

ȱ

SyȱTruongȱ

1751ȱMcCarthyȱBlvd.ȱ

Milpitas,ȱCAȱȱ95035ȱ

(408)ȱ955Ȭ9333ȱ sy.truong@metaȬx.comȱ

ȱȱ