Rachel Marshall Watkins - ESTEEM Alum 2015
Before college, Rachael Marshall Watkins considered becoming a doctor. Strong in science and math, she pursued a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Arizona with the option for medicine in mind. But after shadowing physicians early on, she quickly realized that the clinical path wasn’t the right fit. Still drawn to science and problem-solving, but not particularly interested in bench research, she began searching for a new way to apply her skills—and found ESTEEM.
The ESTEEM Program gave her exactly what she was looking for: a bridge from engineering into entrepreneurship. She participated in the McCloskey New Venture Competition, collaborated with highly technical peers, and gained exposure to the business side of innovation. One of her biggest takeaways was the value of communication—especially through storytelling. Rachael credits ESTEEM’s fast-paced, presentation-heavy structure for preparing her to clearly and confidently pitch ideas, a skill she uses constantly in her career.
After graduation, Rachael joined Deloitte’s life sciences group as a consultant. There, she supported clients in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to medical devices, and eventually found herself drawn to projects focused on cybersecurity for regulated healthcare tech. But despite the subject matter, the environment felt slow and bureaucratic. Rachael knew she needed a change, and when a fellow ESTEEM alum introduced her to Synack, a fast-moving cybersecurity startup, she jumped at the opportunity.
Joining a company of just 70 people was a major shift from Deloitte, but one that aligned perfectly with her mindset. She wanted ownership, flexibility, and the chance to solve problems from start to finish—something she says large organizations rarely offer.
Now a Product Manager at Synack, Rachael has worked across multiple functions and teams. She enjoys building things from scratch, launching new initiatives, and then moving on to the next challenge. It’s a rhythm that keeps her learning and growing every day.
To current ESTEEM students, her advice is simple: don’t stress over your professional “plan”. Few people have a perfectly linear career path, and that’s more than okay. Say yes to what feels interesting and to people who ask for help with new problems — the path will pave itself. She believes ESTEEM prepares students to become “athletic professionals”—people who can adapt quickly, learn deeply, and contribute meaningfully across industries—something that will massively differentiate you in the workforce
About the ESTEEM Graduate Program:
Over the course of this 11-month Master of Science degree (in Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship) program at the University of Notre Dame, students from technical backgrounds are equipped with the skills and experience to launch new businesses, become innovators within large corporations, and be leaders of dynamic, innovative teams. Students are immersed in an entrepreneurial sandbox, where they get their hands dirty with entrepreneurship and innovation through a cutting-edge curriculum, a capstone commercialization project for an emerging technology, and outstanding out-of-the-classroom experiences.
To learn more about the ESTEEM Graduate Program or to apply please go to our website.