What’s your background? How did you end up with Thorne?

I graduated with a BS in Bioengineering from Clemson University in 2016 (go Tigers!) and previously worked as a Quality Engineer at a pharmaceutical and wellness contract manufacturer based in Georgia. I joined Thorne in March 2020 (yes, right at the start of the pandemic!) as a Validation Engineer I and have since been promoted to Validation Engineer III. Thorne is a global leader in the regulated nutraceutical industry, producing a wide variety of health and wellness supplements for general use and for the athletic organizations that we partner with. My day-to-day activities focus mainly on qualifying the operation and cleaning processes of our manufacturing equipment to ensure that our Thorne products can be made with the highest quality for our customers.

How did you end up in CHS?

My family has had ties to Charleston for generations, so I’ve been coming to the area since I was a kid. Our family has property near Edisto Beach, so even while growing up in Columbia, we would travel to the beach and visit Charleston countless times every summer. I always knew that I wanted to eventually live here long term, so when I found Thorne, it was a perfect match for my personal and professional life. Relocating in March 2020 was a surreal experience, but from the beginning, I felt very at home with Thorne.

What are the biggest benefits to working in Charleston?

Charleston is constantly growing and bringing more businesses to the Lowcountry. I’ve seen firsthand how rapid Thorne’s growth has been since I started here. This has led us to increasing production capacity in our current building as well as expanding to a second building for manufacturing and distribution – plenty of activities to keep the team busy. Being able to work in a city that has so many things to do outside of work is a real perk! I’ve appreciated the opportunity to have fun with my colleagues at Thorne events, like going to a Charleston RiverDogs game for an evening.

Any advice for new grads seeking to work in your industry?

Don’t be afraid to network – be that squeaky wheel! Show that you are tenacious and eager to learn. Be open to all opportunities that may come your way – there are so many career paths in this industry that you can take. Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn!

Describe your ideal, quintessential Charleston day.

It’s hard to pick only a few things to do! I’d start with picking up coffee at a local coffee shop (French Toast Cold Brew at Lodi is my personal favorite!). Then, I’d hit the outdoors and walk or bike on the West Ashley Greenway. Next, I’d have to go somewhere delicious for food! There are so many great options for any time of day, no matter where you are in Charleston, but some of my foodie favorites are Brown Dog Deli, Santi’s, Jackrabbit Filly, Zen Asian Fusion, Pink Bellies, and Coterie. I’d spend the afternoon walking around downtown, seeing the Battery and Rainbow Row. Finally, I’d end with a trivia or bingo night at one of our local breweries – my fiancé Daniel and I are particularly fond of Low Tide Brewing on John’s Island!

Questions about working in Charleston? Connect.

• Find job openings in the Charleston region
• View careers at Thorne
• Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn