Pittcon Today - Chemical & Engineering News

38 PITTCON TODAY :: TUESDAY :: March 13 2012 :: Orlando Orlando :: March 13 2012 :: TUESDAY :: PITTCON TODAY 39From Haynes page 8 From Employment page 4Who was or is your mentor(s) orthe person you most admire—and why?Richard Van Duyne was my PhDadvisor, and he has been unconditionallysupportive of my scientific trajectory.He is also a scientist with “bigideas” (that sometimes sound crazy tothe graduate students who work withhim) that has inspired me to aim forchallenging scientific problems as well.If you were not now involved inyour current scientific pursuitwhat other profession would youlike to follow?Every time I hear an epidemiologistspeak, part of me wishes that Iwas trained in that field. I love themacroscale view they take and theircritical role in public health.What do you like to do in yourspare time? Hobbies? Sports?Write Poetry? Sing/Dance?My favorite hobby is running urbanscavenger hunt races. I do thison a team with some of my graduatestudents, and we have actuallyfinished near the top in many racesand even run in national championships.My favorite race is the “GreatUrban Race,” and I wish there wereone in Orlando this week.What is your advice to20-somethings now trying tobuild careers in science?Work as hard as you can to builda resume that nobody can deny. Thiswill give you the freedom to go afterwhatever scientific pursuit interestsyou most. Also, don’t hesitate to collaborateand be generous in sharingcredit with your collaborators.What is your greatest strength?What is your greatest weakness?I think my greatest strength ismy ability to surround myself withpeople smarter than I am and appreciatethe wisdom and/or creativitythat they bring into my life. Mygreatest weakness is that I sometimesjump too quickly from task totask, not allowing myself to think asdeeply about something or someoneas I should. n“We prefer the face-to-faceinterviews because we can meet thecandidates and get an idea of theirdepth of knowledge,” Lamere said.Rhodes Technologies did nothave any openings last year butcurrently has five jobs posted. TheCoventry, RI-based company is inan expansion mode and is lookingfor analytical chemists with fiveyears of experience in stabilitytesting.“This is a great opportunityto have access to a wide rangeof candidates,” said Deb Shell,associate director of humanresources for Rhodes Technologies.“We often find a better fit when wemeet in person, rather than readinga resume or interviewing over thetelephone.”Drew Manica, program managerat SABIC in Pittsfield, MA saidhe was amazed at the number ofapplicants for the seven openingshe is hoping to fill for analytical labchemists.“I had 30 emails since yesterdayand I’m surprised at how early theystarted applying,” Manica said. “Peoplewere sending resumes before Ieven unpacked my bags on Sunday.”A free Career InformationCenter is being offered for the firsttime this year to answer questionsabout interviewing, give tips onnetworking, and help prepareresumes. Career counselors areavailable until 5 pm today in Room315A to assist job seekers.Caleb Smathers, a senior atWestminster College in NewWilmington, PA, registeredwith the Employment BureauSunday and hopes to find a jobin environmental chemistry ortoxicology.Abraham Badu said he came toPittcon to find a job. He graduatesin May from Purdue Universitywith a degree in analyticalchemistry and wants to findemployment in the pharmaceuticalindustry.“I’m more likely to get aninterview here than online,” he said.“I have an interview Tuesday andhope to land a job before I leave.”