Working, studying, and conducting research globally is a 21st century paradigm. The foundation for the successful navigation of this paradigm is building and sustaining relationships. Over the past two decades, my career has been an intersection of science and technology (S&T) and policy spanning government, higher education, and non-profit sectors locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Each experience, grounded in programmatic knowledge, was enabled through relationship building vertically and horizontally. This paper will highlight key professional and educational experiences as a potential roadmap for students and aspiring, young, mid- and late career professionals. These experiences will demonstrate the powerful impact of an interdisciplinary context with a solid underpinning built upon relationships. Success and impact will be characterized through an interdisciplinary toolkit: Agility, Balance, Collaboration, Diversity, Integrity, Respect, and Teamwork. Key knowledge, skills, and attitudes for success in this global science, technology, and innovation (STI) enterprise are not relegated solely to proficiency in a single field. Higher education in collaboration with government, industry, non-profits, and professional societies has the means to accelerate the STI global readiness of aspiring and current professionals by offering a safe environment that engages them in real world issues and encourages learning through fundamental and innovative techniques. Each of us has our own story comprised of success, failure, doubt, courage, gratitude, and inspiration. The challenge and the opportunity is how do we translate these experiences to guide and inspire our global workforce to be the exemplar for competitiveness and impact?

Connecting the dots: Interdisciplinary relationships case study in 21st century global workforce

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Connecting the dots: Interdisciplinary relationships case study in 21st century global workforce<br />

Connecting the dots: Interdisciplinary relationships case study in 21^st century global workforce<br />