Key Profile Information:

– Background: BA in Organizational Management and Administration, Makerere University in Uganda 

– Placement: Research Administration at Massachusetts General Hospital

– Fellow Statement: “[My fellowship] has been really great. Research administration is a course I was planning to do before the fellowship, so the fellowship made my dream come true.”

Click HERE to learn more about the Fellowship

Anna Ngwananogu is well on her way to achieving her career goals. A 2023 fellow of the Boston Immigrant Professionals Fellowship, Anna currently serves as a research administrator for the Massachusetts General Hospital—a position she’s held since September 2022. Here, she works in the Mass General Cancer Center where she’s training to oversee pre- and post-award research administration.

“[My fellowship] has been really great,” Anna describes. “Research administration is a course I was planning to do before the fellowship, so the fellowship made my dream come true.”

Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and administration from Makerere University in Uganda. She has honed her skill set at a variety of organizations including the Perkins School for the Blind and the MIT Federal Credit Union. However, developing her career has presented acute challenges along the way. When asked what barriers Anna has faced in building her career, she explains that balancing her family and work has been an ongoing challenge. “Being a single mom: it’s not easy balancing work, parenting and school at the same time.” She also identifies a lack of information, experience in American workplaces, and financial liquidity as major barriers that have limited her professional growth.

Despite the challenges that Anna has faced, she sees her fellowship as an important step towards her long-term career goals. She explains that the fellowship has helped her chart her career path and gain first-hand experience in the research administrator field. “I am sure about my tomorrow in terms of thriving and creating a way forward,” she concludes.

Through the Boston Immigrant Professionals Fellowship, Anna has secured a full-time job with Massachusetts General Hospital. She would like to thank the supporters of the fellowship for creating a program that helps immigrants create a better tomorrow. “Words cannot express my gratitude and joy that grew in me. Only God can repay [the funders’ and supporters’] kindness.”