My First Day Episode 6

This is KPBS Midday Edition. I am Maureen Cavanaugh. KPBS is exploring ways to create stories you want to listen to, particularly stories that originate here in San Diego. Marquette moved to San Diego in 1986 from your. She came with her husband who was about to begin a post doctorate program. Here is an excerpt of her story from the podcast, my first day which was produced and hosted by Andrew Bracken.It was easier than what I imagined it to be. When I came here, I quit my job. I really wanted to have the California experience, if you wish. Many of my coworkers were saying, you know, you will never find a job. Your diploma will not be recognized. You will flip burgers. At that point, I said, I was 28. That is okay. I can do whatever I can be. I will learn some English and I will be okay. I think they thought if you do not do this when you are in your 20s, you will probably never do them. When I came here, I was open-minded. I do not know what will happen. I am trying to find a job in biotech but maybe I will not be able to. Very easily, I found a job. I found a very good job. Once again, with people who were extremely helpful and. They do not take themselves seriously. They are friendly and curious. When I came here, I was so lost. Everything that was written was okay but when people started talking, I was having a very hard time. It was tough for me. The worst was when people started making a joke. Or also when people were relating something cultural about a TV show or something that we could not relate to. Oh my gosh. That was tough. When I started working, I remember going home every day with a headache every day because I had to concentrate so much. I was in meetings. By the time I could express my say and say what I would wanted to say, we were at the next subject. That was tough. It was not easy. I think it took six months to be okay.Sometimes adventures she had while adjusting to life went beyond the language barrier. As a thank you to a work colleague who helped her, she and her husband invited him over for breakfast. The work cultural misunderstandings about what the cuisine would be.I guess he thought they are French or close to French and I am going to get a fancy breakfast. We invite them for breakfast. We put cereal boxes on the table. And he starts laughing. He thought it was a joke. But it wasn't a joke. We were so proud.He said what is this Wex I thought you were going to give me eggs Benedict or croissants. [ laughter ]We thought that was great. [ laughter ] Oh gosh.When my husband, we came from France but I am not from France. I am from a small country. Andorra is between France and Spain. I am from this region. It is one of the smallest countries in the world. Here I am going from this tiny country where I know everyone, 70,000 people and 300 people in my village. I am coming to a place like the U.S. which is huge. That was really a culture shocked -- shock. I went to France from my first job but you know, I have my roots and my family and my childhood memories and my traditions, they come from these little places in the mountains. I think I was when I was going to school, I like art and science. Then, I think what made a big difference in my life is that when I was 15 years old, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was very tough because at 15, I was a teenager. It is tough to be a teenager emotionally. That made an impact on my life. Emotionally, I think it was on that date that I decided I wanted to work in this field and work and research and try to find ways to cure diseases or to make life better and to have an impact. I did what to go to medical school. But then once I had the opportunity to go in the laboratory and start doing research in the summer, I liked that. I did genetics. I thought it was really fun. Also, it was the time where biotech got invented, if you wish. Biotech is about 35 years old. It was at the time where I had to choose a career. That was fascinating to me. I decided to go into this arena.After working in biotech for several years, Doctor Marquette and her husband decided to make a go of it as entrepreneurs. They formed their own company for the first time. They created multiple successful adventures.I think about building a company from scratch, for me, it was learning a lot about myself. It was a difficult. You have an idea. You need to find people who will back you up and you need to find investors who believe in what you are doing and employees and customers. It was very difficult compared to what it was when I had a job. When I had a job, had a boss any structure. They were telling me what to do more or less. I was paid every two weeks. I did not have to make all of these decisions on everything. At the time, we were two scientists. We did not have any business experience or degree. It was definitely a lot harder. It was also more rewarding.Long after acclimated to the size and scale of all things American, she is not forgetting the welcome that she received on her first day.I really think about why is it that 30 years later, we are still in San Diego. It was because of her. It was because of the way she greeted us and the way she welcomed us. She took us to her home. We were supposed to stay two or three days with her. We stayed two weeks. It was during the holiday season. She had great parties at her place. We could not understand what people were saying but she was so gracious. Everyone was so welcoming, even if we came with a thick accent and we were clearly different. Everyone wanted to know where we were from and why were coming here. It was a wonderful experience.That was Marquette speaking on the podcast, my first day. My first day is produced and hosted by Andrew Brackett. You can go to www.kpbs.org .