November Member Spotlight: Victoria (Tory) Troeger

What do you do for work/free time?

I work as an epidemiologist at the Department of Public Health and Human Services. I focus on drug overdose surveillance mainly. In my free time, I like to have brunches with friends, work on various craft projects, and occasionally go on a hike or two. I'm always ready for a solid nap, as well.

How did you land in Helena?

After grad school, I applied to jobs all over the country. Montana offered me a good position, and I had never been out 'West' before, so I decided to give it a go!

What is the best piece of advice that you ever received – career-related or otherwise?

"It's not the grades you make, but the hands you shake." Sounds sort of horrible, doesn't it? But it took me a while to get comfortable with the idea that networking is a skill just as important as any academic pursuit, and that I needed to work on it if I wanted to actually get anywhere in life.

When do you feel the most yourself?

When I'm hanging out with close friends, preferably at one of our houses where there are some good snacks, complaining about stuff.

Where is the last place you explored and where do you want to explore next?

I went with my two siblings to Glacier. I have been before, but I could go back again and again and still be happy. I would like to go with them to Scotland and take back the family castle but that might not work out.

Tell us something about yourself that we didn’t ask:

I collect flags from places that I have been? I think invertebrates are super neat?