The Spring 2020 semester marked the end of my third year as tenure-track faculty at a small undergraduate-focused institution. I was thrilled to teach a set of upper division courses for the first time. During the second half of the semester, I planned to help my analytical chemistry students complete the laboratory projects that they designed, while collecting data for a couple of manuscripts. My 2.5 yo daughter was enrolled full time in an accredited daycare program. My life and career plans seemed largely in order. Then everything about my world changed in an instant. In March, I had one short week to re-design and prepare to teach my courses remotely with my toddler at home, while the closed Canadian border prevented any relatives from helping us. I was just starting to adjust to this new world order when I realized I was pregnant. Not only that, but the baby would arrive during the predicted 2nd wave of infections. This presentation will focus on the challenges that I faced personally and professionally, the strategies I used to overcome them, and what I learned about my values, strengths and needs as I battled my way through isolation and self-doubt to determination and hope during the time of endless uncertainty that was 2020.

Pre-tenure parenting and pregnancy during a pandemic

ACS Fall 2021

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