Walsh University, supported by the National Science Foundation through the Scholarship in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program, has developed a comprehensive four-year career seminar series that is designed to encourage students interested in chemistry to pursue careers in chemistry. An underlying objective of the series is to stimulate interest in chemistry careers by informing students about the variety of options available to them. The seminar series progressively engages students in developing professionalism as well as exploring chemistry careers. The seminar series helps to guide students transition from high school to college, develop in college, and plan a post-graduate path. The student-centric series provides systematic assistance to students as they investigate their chemical interests and careers. Students develop their communication skills throughout the series as they present and reflect on career options. The junior year involves an experiential learning component where students participate in an internship, research, or shadowing; allowing them to practically evaluate their perceived interest. During their senior year, students present to first- and second-year students on their junior experience. To help students learn about career options, every semester three to six visiting professionals from a variety of chemistry-related jobs discuss their occupation, industry, and future challenges facing their industry. The visiting speakers’ contributions to the series are significant as they enabled students to gain knowledge about career development from multiple perspectives, such as how careers often take a meandering path and the issues facing minorities and women in the workforce. The seminar series also includes developing skills necessary for success, e.g. resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills, emotional intelligence skills, and social media etiquette. Student development and series effectiveness is monitored through course assessments and end-of-year questionnaires. The series has been established for four years and we report here its development and implementation.

Seminar series for guiding students’ development and exploration of chemistry careers

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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