Oftentimes as a young budding scientist in graduate school you think you have it all figured out as the long journey to conclude your research comes to an end. At that point in time, you may know how you are going to save the world as it relates to innovative science, and the very specific career path you desire to take to accomplish that goal. News flash, often it will not quite work out the way you intended. Most career objectives evolve over time, and you must be agile in your overall readiness to effectively utilize your transferable skills in ways that can translate to a variety of competitive career opportunities. Navigating my own career has been challenging at times. The career objectives I once had as both a graduate student and a post-doctoral trainee working for a governmental agency were progressively altered with the key-learnings I gained from my professional development and networking opportunities. Additionally, external factors such as a strained economic environment may limit your options causing you to diversify your search for a long-term career.  Indeed, this particular consideration helped to steer the trajectory of my own career path to my current role in the agricultural industry. This presentation will attempt to enlighten early career scientists about my contrasting experiences as an emerging scientist in both government and industry as well as some of the various twists and turns involved in navigating the road to a successful career.<br/>

Stop signs and alternative routes: Navigating the road to a successful career

2019 Fall National Meeting

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