Career Development

As a part of our regular engagement with members, the ACS Insight Lab, an online panel for ACS members, hosted a discussion board to allow students to get advice from chemical professionals. The focus of the conversation was how to prepare for graduate school and what to expect. After a lively and engaging discussion, we selected three questions and a few of their answers to share with you. Check out the advice below! (And, if you like what you read below, join the ACS Insight Lab to participate in future discussions.) Which skills should I gain during graduate school to make me an attractive candidate for an industry position? • Learn how to fit into any team and be able to adapt your role as the team changes. (Hint: You must know your strong points and embrace your weak points.) • Become comfortable with getting in front of a group of people and speaking clearly and competently. Also try to master written communication and graphics tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lightroom, etc.). This will show that you are capable of articulating and presenting clear, concise ideas and findings to fellow scientists and non-scientists. How should I select from graduate programs of varying prestige? Try to get into the most prestigious school for the following reasons: • Funding: The faculty there will in general have more grant money for funding your studies so you won't have to serve as a TA as much. • Contacts and networking: Again, the faculty will have more contacts (former students, contacts via consulting, etc.) so that they hear about more potential openings and can recommend you for an interview. • Recruiting: Companies have limited resources so they will usually pick a small group of schools that they will visit. The better the department, the increased odds of more companies coming in for interviews. Which basic prerequisites should I have to start my PhD? Your acceptance into a PhD program puts you in the top 5% of the general populace in terms of academic ability so don't ever forget that. Here are a few steps that can help: • Be organized .Once you know what you're going to do, make a detailed plan of execution and modify as you go. • Reach out to senior grad students; they are among the best resources you'll have. They know everything that could go wrong and by talking to them you can save yourself a lot of heartache and wasted time. If necessary, go out of your way to be friends with them. • Set time aside for a little socialization and professional development. This will keep you motivated to complete the task at hand. Aside from these helpful pieces of advice, here are a few ACS graduate school resources that were also shared during the discussion: Planning for Graduate Work in Chemistry Graduate School Reality Check Graduate and Postdoctoral Chemist Magazine Graduate Education Newsletter (precursor to the GPC magazine) Thanks to everyone who was a part of the discussion! Interested in sharing your ideas and opinions with ACS? Join the ACS Insight Lab today and help shape the future of ACS. ... View more

Getting ready for the big day that could potentially change your career for the better? ACS wants to help you out and give some valuable tips on how to do well in your next interview! You know what they say? “First impressions are the most lasting.” Let’s start with the first thing that you have to do in the morning … Getting ready! What are you going to wear? In order to look very presentable and professional, we ALWAYS recommend wearing a suit. Make sure it is the proper fit and to get it tailored if you have to. You don’t want to make your outfit look too tight or too baggy! In addition to being well-dressed, you should be alert and well prepared for the day. Check out some of the Do’s and Don’ts so that you can look and act presentable to interviewers. Do: • Research the company you’re interviewing for • Smile and use positive body language • Send a follow-up thank you note addressed to your interviewer(s) Don’t: • Be late • Bring your cell phone into the interview room (or ensure it is on silent) • Slouch Want to show hiring managers that you’re the most qualified candidate? Download our infographic entitled “How to Prepare for a Job Interview” to read more tips. ... View more

It is becoming more common for recruiters to require candidates to prepare a presentation to prove that they’re the right person for the job. Not only will this allow the candidate to showcase their passion and skill set, but it will also allow recruiters to learn the thought-process and creativity of a potential hire. Here are four ways candidates benefit from delivering an interview presentation: Prove you can do the job Demonstrate your written communication skills Showcase your verbal communication skills Show that you are diligent Want to learn how to prepare for an academic faculty interview? Download our new eBook entitled “10 Tips to Help You Get a Faculty Job.” This free resource will show you how to convince a panel of professors that you’re qualified to lead research, teach courses and add value to your chosen university or college. ... View more

Are you a chemistry student unsure of the right career move to make after graduation? Do you find yourself uncertain about the typical chemistry career path that includes long hours in a lab or research environment? Don’t worry, ACS has all the information you need to begin exploring alternatives in the chemistry world. Through this free eBook download, “The Best Nontraditional Careers for Chemists: Popular, Unusual, or Growing Fields,” you’ll learn how your skills and experience can be channeled into a non-typical job in the field. Read more about these areas employing chemists, including: • Data Science: Opportunities in this sector are expanding as organizations are collecting more information and need scientists to study it and turn it into useful information. Molecular diagnostics, which uses a person’s genetic code to predict diseases and recommend treatments, is just one example of how scientists are needed in this area. • Forensic Toxicology: Chemists are needed in this area to analyze the effects of different compounds on the human body. This can include the effect of painkillers have on the body and analyzing deaths and poisonings. • Generic Pharmaceuticals: Companies that make generic drugs need chemists to develop formulas using the same active ingredient as a brand name drug, but different fillers. Chemists also play a key role in verifying the benefits of the drug are still the same and are needed several years in advance of the brand name drug’s patent expiration. • Advocacy Groups: Support scientific research by reviewing grant applications, supervising research projects and work directly with patients. The eBook also offers general career advice for those entering the chemistry career field such as the option of working as a contractor for an agency and points out the pros and cons compared to full-time work. Whatever you decide, being informed is the key! Download the free eBook today from ACS! ... View more

Visit the newly revamped ACS Career Fair, held inside the Expo hall at the 254th National Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C. and meet with top employers such as KAUST for your next career or study opportunity. Who is KAUST? King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate-level research university located on the shores of the Red Sea. The students, faculty, scientists and engineers at KAUST are addressing some of the worlds’ most pressing challenges related to food, water, energy and the environment. What’s it like to work at KAUST? KAUST believes that personal fulfillment and discovery are integral aspects of a rewarding professional life; the university makes it easy for faculty, staff and postdocs to balance their professional responsibilities with other aspects of their lives. Learn more about KAUST. Opportunities in the KAUST Core Labs The KAUST Core Labs provide state-of-the-art facilities, training and services to the KAUST research community, collaborators and industrial partners. Video: A Look inside the KAUST Core Labs Current Core Labs open positions Analytical Chemist and Team Lead Organics Analysis Analytical Chemist and Team Lead Solid Characterization Bioscience – Team Lead Third Generation and Capillary Sequencing Senior Technical Specialist Cleanroom Analytical Chemist and Team Lead Inorganics Analysis Bioscience Technical Specialist Flow Cytometry Monthly living allowance (ranging between $20,000-30,000 annual, depending on qualifications and progression through degree programs) Housing Medical and dental coverage Relocation support Learn more about studying at KAUST. Don't miss these guests at the KAUST booth August 21: L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Winner Niveen Khashab. August 21: Osman Bakr, known for his work in perovskite crystals. Read more. Speaker Presentations “Creative Science Communications” at 6 PM on August 20 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Winner Niveen Khashab will be talking about her research in the Expo Theater on August 21 at 3 PM. "Inside the KAUST Core Labs” at 2:30 PM on August 22. Raffle Prizes Day 1 Grand Prize: Ipad Pro 256 GB Regular Prizes : Mini Ipad 128 GB Day 2 Grand Prize: Iphone 7 128GB Regular Prizes : Beats Solo 3 wireless Headphones Day 3 Grand Prize: Hero 5 Black 4 K action Go Pro Camera Regular Prizes : iWatch series (all prizes given away at the KAUST booth following the speaker presentations)   Find KAUST at booth 2333 on the expo floor! Participate in their daily raffles and win exciting prizes. Want to meet with KAUST and other great employers? ACS members can create an online profile, upload resumes, search job postings, and even schedule interviews with participating employers, all at the Career Fair. Not a member? You can still stop by employers' booths and network to find your next career opportunity. ... View more