Bryan Yee •  Knowledge Scientist

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I am a

KNOWLEDGE SCIENTIST

Bryan Yee

Presented by Amgen FOUNDATION
MY PATH

Here’s how I became a nonprofit leader, girl dad, and knowledge scientist.

MAJOR INFLUENCES

  • My Parents

    My parents instilled in me the importance of showing up for your community. Between that and my mother’s influence on my choice of college, a lot of my decisions have been influenced by my family’s values.

  • Emerging Technology

    The release of new technology like iPhones and iPods ignited my imagination about what’s possible and helped kickstart my interest in connecting people and data.

  • Southern California

    I’ve spent my entire life in the 805 area code of southern California. I’ve built a strong connection to this place, its nature, and its communities, and it’s important to me to do my part to support it.

Make contributions that will outlast you.

Reflecting on my life, I'm driven by the desire to create a lasting impact that withstands time. I believe our ideas and community contributions shouldn't be confined to our personal gain. Instead, they should positively influence current and future generations. This requires thinking beyond the present, understanding the systems that we’re part of, and recognizing how our choices may influence those systems.

Major Milestones

Cal Poly

Choosing information technology over computer science had a big impact on my career path and direction.

First Internship at Amgen

My first of two internships at Amgen began in 2004. During the internships, I discovered how biotechnology could support patients, and potentially change their lives for the better.

First Full-Time Job at Amgen

I’ve been at Amgen for almost 20 years. I got my first full time position in IT in 2006, and in 2014 I moved into the strategic planning role where I was able to emerge as a leader in my company.


Things I learned

along the way:

  • Anxiety is normal, and it's important to learn to process it.

    In different ways, I’ve struggled with anxiety and fear of failure since I was a kid. It wasn’t until just a few years ago that I reached out to a professional to start learning how to process those emotions so I wouldn’t internalize them. I think it’s important for all of us to normalize learning to manage our mental health from a young age.

  • You have to learn when to say "no".

    It's easy to get caught up in the hustle of everything going on around us, and my wife and I are known for saying “yes” to everything. But I also know it’s also important to make time for the things I personally enjoy, like backpacking and cooking.

  • Confidence comes with time and experience.

    I realize now that a lot of the things that made me a little bit different were also what made me good at what I do. You might assume something is common knowledge because it comes naturally to you, but it could also be something unique that you bring to the table. I listen to feedback and try to build around my strengths.

  • Make time for hobbies & family.

    It’s important to fill your own cup with things that you enjoy and establish good relationships with your friends and family. These things will go well beyond your career in making for a fulfilling life.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Tandem Photo • Illustrator: Laurie Anne Poquet

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