Greetings STL section members! I hope this message finds you well.
One silver lining of the COVID-19 crisis is that we had to learn and be really comfortable with online programming and events. The new trend of on-line events makes it easy for us to offer zoom workshops and presentations at multiple locations at the same time!
My goal for next year is to start an initiative to help bridge the gap between graduating student members and the employers who are looking to hire fresh graduates with BS in chemistry. This Spring, we will pilot a “Coaching the Outgoing Undergrads” program via the STL local section. This will include presentations by career consultants in combination with hands-on sessions where the students will practice using job search engines and self-analysis tools and building resumes tailored for a specific job posting.
In the first round, the workshops will be held at SIUE, UMSL, SLU, Marryville University and Principia College. Three Zoom workshops are planned in Feb, March and April – focused on Resume, Interview and Job Search Techniques. We will add more schools to the Fall event. Although the main target audience is the graduating class, the event will be open to anyone who is interested. Stay tuned for a zoom event invite in the next few weeks!
The presentations will focus on the main employment sectors, traditional and non-traditional jobs for BS level chemists, how to match your strengths and values with available opportunities in industry, academia, government and non-profit organizations. We will provide examples of good resumes and tips on how to prepare for an interview and negotiate salary. Prior to the workshop, you will be asked to take free self analysis tests, draft a resume for an industrial chemist position, practice using search engines – indeed.com, LinkedIn and USAJOBS.GOV using key words.
Down the road, we will invite local employers (HR teams) to present their companies to the graduating class and go over the available positions that are applicable to BS level chemists.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2021!
Samina Azad
Chair 2021
“Computers and the physics of complex biological systems”
