The Value of Virtual Career Fairs

It seems like everything we do in the real world can also be done electronically. We can send a letter, or we can email, We can call each other, or we can Skype. We can print photos to paste into albums, or we can post them on Facebook.

Like everything else, job searching has gone to bits and bytes. Now you can print resumes on nice paper and hand them to recruiters, or you fill out a form on the company’s web site and enter yourself into their database. The latest addition to the electronic world is virtual job fairs – expositions held entirely on the internet. Virtual career fairs eliminate the costs and hassles of travel, and allow participation on your own schedule.

At a typical job fair, candidates will peruse a list of openings, submit resumes for consideration, and request interviews with companies of interest. Employers will post a list of open positions, create agents to search a database of submitted resumes, and schedule interviews with promising candidates.

Virtual interviews can be handled a number of different ways. They can be conducted synchronously, with both parties using webcams to talk to each other in real time. Alternatively, they can be conducted asynchronously, where the company submits a list of questions, to which the candidate records answers, and the company then views them at a later time. Each method has its own advantages – synchronous interviews are more like live interviews, and tend to give a better picture of the individual’s personality. Asynchronous interviews can be more convenient, since everyone can do them on their own time.

After hosting 122 career fairs since 1948, the American Chemical Society (ACS) is hosting their first virtual career fair June 8-12, from 9 am to 5 pm Eastern time. Free to candidates, this event is a great way to find out what’s out there, practice your interview skills, and maybe even learn something at one of the workshops. Even if you’re not currently looking for a new position, career fairs can give you some insight into who is hiring.

A wide variety of companies will participate, so you can use this as an opportunity to stretch your horizons, and learn about new fields. Perhaps this can be a pointer to a new field you hadn’t considered before.

Just like with a traditional career fair, doing your homework is critical. Make sure you know which company’s values and scientific focus match your own, and determine how your skills and knowledge can add to their assets.

While you can do research and set up appointments in your pajamas and bunny slippers, you may not want to appear that way for interviews. Even if it’s only a telephone interview, dressing professionally and taking the call in a quiet office will go a long way towards making you feel professional, which will result in you making a professional impression on the company representative.

Even if you do not see immediate job offerings from a career fair, it can still be a good long-term investment and valuable learning experience. Continue to follow-up with companies of interest on a regular (but not too frequent) basis, so you will be uppermost in their mind when the right opening does come along. Practice answers to interview questions that surprised you. Refine your elevator speech, and work on ways to tailor it to various companies.

This article was written by Lisa M. Balbes, Ph.D. of Balbes Consultants. Lisa is a scientific communication consultant and author of: “Nontraditional Careers for Chemists,” published by Oxford University Press (2006).

Say Yes! to Networking

I recently finished reading “Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive” by Goldstein, Cialdini and Martin. I found it to be a quick, interesting read, and was impressed that each of the techniques mentioned was supported by actual research data. Many of their suggestions were small changes that end up having a big effect on how your words and actions are interpreted. This small volume will help you frame your arguments in the best possible way, to increase your chances of successful persuasion.

As I was reading it, several of the tips jumped out at me as possible explanations for why networking is such an effective way to find a job (or to find anything, really).

For example, one chapter points out that “there is little social obligation to cooperate with someone who offers you something only on the condition that you initiate the cooperative effort.” If one party says they’ll do A if you do B, that is a simple business transaction, with no lasting effect on the relationship between the parties. However, if you do something for someone else first, with no reciprocation required or expected, they are more likely to do something for you in the future. The example in the book showed that hotel towel reuse programs were 45% more successful when the hotel first give a donation to a non-profit environmental organization, then ask guests to re-use towels, rather than when they told guests the hotel would make a donation if the guests reused towels. This not only increases the level of compliance, but also builds a longer lasting relationship based on trust and mutual appreciation, rather than the weaker incentive system. I’ve always said that true networking is being out there looking for ways to help others without expecting anything in return. Then when you do need something, people will be more willing to help you out because you have pre-paid the favor. And if you’re really lucky, some of those people will be actively looking for ways to help you – by passing along information they think will be of interest to you.

Another interesting fact was that over time, the value of a favor changes. It becomes worth less in the eyes of the favor receiver, and more in the eyes of the favor doer. This means you must continue to do favors for others, to keep your balance fresh, and make sure you’ll have something “in the bank” whenever you need it.

The book also quotes research that shows if someone does you a small favor, they are more likely to later agree to do you a bigger, similar favor. So in addition to doing favors for others, you must seek out help, and allow people to do small favors for you. Not only does it help build the relationship, but by seeking out different perspectives on a problem you gain insights that you probably would not have come up with on your own, and in general tend to arrive at better solutions than if you had worked alone.

There you have it. Scientific proof that if you regularly help others without expecting anything in return, and let them help you, you will build relationships that will be there to support you when you need it. Sounds like networking to me!

This article was written by freelance technical writer Lisa M. Balbes, Ph.D. of Balbes Consultants, and author of: “Nontraditional Careers for Chemists,” published by Oxford University Press (2006).

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ACS Industry Forum:

Join us for the next ACS Careers Industry Forum:

“It’s 2009 – Do You Know Where Your Networks Are?”

Date and Time: Thursday, March 12th, 2009, 2-3 p.m. EDT

Catherine T. “Katie” Hunt, Ph.D., is currently a Corporate Sustainability Director and Leader, Technology Partnerships at Rohm and Haas Corporate and Past President (2007) American Chemical Society. She began her career as a senior scientist in analytical research at Rohm and Haas after completing an NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at Yale University. For nearly 25 years Katie has held positions of increasing responsibility, from research scientist to process chemist to plant laboratory manager to Director of Worldwide Analytical and Computational Competency Network and Technology Development. . Don’t miss out, Register in advance. For additional information about upcoming speakers, click on the ACS Careers Industry Forum tab located at the top of the ACS Industry Forum Careers Blog.
Please join us to discuss economic and employment trends with top industry executives in the chemical sciences. This is a free service via conference call.

Academia to Industry….or the other way around?

 

The January 5th issue of Chemical and Engineering News includes an article about the University of Michigan buying the recently closed Pfizer research facility in Ann Arbor, MI.  The property formerly housed about 2,000 pharmaceutical researchers, and  includes 30 buildings over 174 acres, and decades ago belonged to U of Michigan, who sold it to Parke-Davis, which eventually became part of Pfizer.  The university plans to use the acquisition to provide opportunities for industrial partners, and to that end has already hired 13 former Pfizer researchers.  They “expect to create at least 2,000 jobs over the next 10 years”.  The specific uses of the site will be worked out over the next year or so, but possibilities include expansion space for university researchers, partnering with or providing space for private sector businesses in pharmaceutical, biotech, energy, nanotech, and so on.  

This will not be an overnight process.  In 2007, Yale University made a similar move and purchased 136 acres housing 17 buildings that formerly housed the Bayer HealthCare complex.  So far, they have appointed Michael Donoghue as Vice President of Planning and Program Development.  Over the next three years he will develop the plan for use of the space, and add neighbors for the Institute for High Throughput Cell Biology which is currently located in the facility. Current plans include a mixture of high tech companies, research, and art.  

This is an interesting trend, especially in light of other workplace trends.  We know most chemists are now working for small companies, where they used to work for large companies. We also know that since the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, universities are patenting their ideas, and collaborating with industry to commercialize them much more than they used to.  And now we see that universities are buying formerly commercial labs and using them to house their own research institutes, and to serve as incubators for new, small, high-tech companies.  

This is both good and bad news.  There is still lots of good work being done, it’s just being done in different places. It’s no longer enough to just look at large chemical companies when looking for a job.  Though they’re easy to find, they’re not where most of the jobs are. There are more places to look for work, so finding just the right fit will take more research on your part.  You’ll need to look at small companies, new technology areas, and maybe even academic institutions to find your ideal position.  

As an interesting aside, when I viewed the article on Pfizer selling the site, right next to it was a sponsored ad from Pfizer, advertising their positions available. So even within a single company, opportunities are moving around – changing location, specialty, area of study, and so on. Keeping abreast of, and hopefully ahead of, these changes is crucial to the long-term success of your career.

After all, we all know the only thing that is constant is change.

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 This article was written by freelance technical writer Lisa M. Balbes, Ph.D. of Balbes Consultants and author of:  “Nontraditional Careers for Chemists,” published by Oxford University Press (2006)

Persistence: 2009 Word of the Year

In many ways, 2009 will be a challenging year for each of us in terms of career management and development. Persistence will serve as the key to success.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”

~ Calvin Coolidge

There is little that is certain about 2009 except that there will be discord in the financial markets. As a result, the workplace will continue to evolve into a new and more stable configuration. Among other things, the second law of thermodynamics states that energy naturally flows from areas of high to low concentration. Unless countermanded by a persistent external force the system will progress to a greater state of disorder—entropy. The governments of the world are currently amassing a response to the financial entropy that is rampant in global markets, but there will be no quick fix. All parties involved will need to doggedly and consistently pursue subsequent solutions to ensure our recovery and success.

Likewise, we must be persistent in our pursuit of personal success. We must be aware of the opportunities and the challenges looming in our future and we must position our selves to our best advantage. When seemingly insurmountable obstacles present themselves, we must either chip through them, tunnel under them, or jump over them. We must be persistent in our resolve to solve the situation.

Growing up in rural west Texas, most of my afternoons and weekends were spent working with my Dad on various outdoor projects. I credit my Mom for these experiences. Her core philosophy was that we could not mess up the house if we weren’t in it, and the chief weapon in her arsenal was a list of to-do items that was a mile long. As a result, Dad and I were in a state of perpetual motion. As it turned out, most of our projects included digging: digging a post hole, tilling a garden, or simply removing rocks from the soil so that plants would grow. In retrospect, I realize that many of my chores were busy work intended to keep me occupied and out of trouble. I also realize that digging was a free activity that could be accomplished with little supervision. But digging holes also taught me a lot about persistence. In west Texas the soil is poor. It is composed of caliches and gypsum. The only way to dig a hole is to chip your way through the calcite deposits found in the soil. Dogged persistence was the name of the game. At the end of the day, we almost always got what we wanted. Another hole would be dug, another fence pole installed, and for my Mom, the house would remain clean.

“I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.”

~ Frank Lloyd Wright

By committing ourselves to a personal set of goals, we can be successful in the coming year, but there will be challenges. We must resolve to persevere, to find solutions that face our society and to overcome the barriers that we face in our professional lives.

Best wishes to you and yours in the year ahead!

David Harwell is the Assistant Director for Career Management and Diversity Programs at the American Chemical Society.

Hereford Culture

During graduate school, I took on many different jobs to make ends meet, but none was as educational as working on a cattle ranch in North Texas. There I was introduced to Hereford culture, and I must conclude that cattle are stupid.

I am very thankful for the financial support I received through teaching and conducting research in graduate school, but there were some days when I needed more. Desperate times called for desperate measures. So when my budget got tight, I would take on an extra job. One such venture involved herding cattle into a stockyard so that they could be dehorned and vaccinated.

This may sound simple, or even romantic, but it wasn’t. Cattle lack the drive and focus necessary to adhere to a strategic plan. Their lives are genuinely centered on gastronomic fulfillment. Cows eat the grass at their feet until it is gone, and then they move on to the next clump of foliage they see. This is not a planned event, nor is thought given to long-term objectives, so it is difficult at times to convince cattle of the need for change.

On the other hand, I was very compelled and my mission was clear. Drive the cattle into the pen, give them their meds, trim their horns, and collect my cash. I dressed appropriately in a baseball cap, an old tee-shirt, jeans and my boots. I was also given the keys to an old pickup truck, so that I could “nudge” the cows along if necessary.

The round-up proceeded smoothly. Yelling, honking the truck horn, or waving my arms wildly was generally enough motivation to ensure buy-in from the herd; however, there were two hold- outs: a cow named Bessie and a bull named Frank. They had recently given birth to a love-child which was hidden in a clump of mesquite trees.

I was told by the lead man, Bubba, to grab the calf and stand in the back of the pickup while he drove slowly toward the pen. This plan was meant to incentivize the herding process for Bessie, who in turn would incentivize the process for Frank. However, Bessie was more concerned about the grass than she was about her calf, so I was told to “twist the calf’s ear a little bit, so that it’ll talk to its mama.” Bubba killed the truck to make the calf’s wail more audible to Bessie. 

As instructed, I twisted the calf’s ear; it simultaneously squealed and became incontinent. Hearing her baby in distress, Bessie sprang to the rescue jumping half-way into the pick-up. The truck lurched and I slipped on the now wet bed of the pickup toward Bessie. Luckily, Bubba restarted the truck and drove it toward the mark. With calf in hand, Bessie in pursuit and Frank trailing along behind, we completed our mission according to plan. I got my money. Bessie was reunited with her calf, and surrounded by a herd of heifers, Frank was also content.

Don’t be like the cattle in this story. Set yourself apart from the herd by planning for your future. Consider where you want to go, what you want to accomplish, what will motivate you to change, and how you will encourage others to help you in your plan. 

This article was written by David Harwell, Assistant Director of the ACS Department of Career Management & Development. Article originally published in the chemistry.org newsletter on July 2, 2007.

Stay Informed: How to Succeed in Today’s Economy

How should chemists react to today’s adverse economic news? To protect your career, the first step is to be aware of the economic news and how it could impact your career.  Forewarned is forearmed.

 

Read your local newspaper’s news and business to learn about events at your employer. “Chemical & Engineering News” and national business publications such as the “Wall Street Journal,” “Business Week,” and “Fortune” can clue you in on broader business news on the chemical industry and other industries employer chemists.

 

C&EN business news often provides more in depth coverage of the chemical industry than general business publications. For example, a November 24 C&EN article described the adverse effects of the automotive industry slowdown on its chemical suppliers (http://pubs.acs.org/isubscribe/journals/cen/86/i47/html/8647notw1.html). The financial crisis at many lending institutions has resulted in a major housing and business construction slowdown reducing demand for many chemical products. Worried people are spending less on consumer items also reducing chemical demand.

 

Local publications may provide more depth on local developments than national publications. For example, the December 8 issue of “Wall Street Journal” covered the announcement of Dow’s closure of 20 facilities and the loss of 5,000 jobs worldwide at the firm plus elimination of 6,000 contractor jobs (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122874291029187963.html?mod=testMod). The same day the “Houston Chronicle” carried a story on cutbacks planned for Dow’s big complex in nearby Freeport, Texas providing information on this huge facility not carried by national publications. This bad economic news comes as chemical companies are still repairing and restarting Texas Gulf Coast plants damaged by Hurricane Ike last September.

 

DuPont, BASF, BassellLyondell, 3M and other employers of chemists are also eliminating thousands of jobs and closing plants.

 

Have staff reductions spread to industrial laboratories? As of mid-December, little information is available on this concern.

 

Okay, so now you’re staying abreast of business news in your industry. What’s next?

 

Determine how you can quickly improve your job security. Rapidly finish project reports so your manager is aware of your recent accomplishments. Submit invention disclosures on your research. Press your patent attorney to convert your invention disclosures into patent applications. Doing so will make her look good too. Evaluate your projects to determine how you can focus your efforts to make a positive impact in the short term.

 

Review your recent accomplishments. Doing so is useful in reminding your supervisor of your contributions. Also use this information to update your résumé so it is ready to go should you need to job hunt.

 

To prepare for possible job hunting, assemble a list of candidate employers. Go beyond your current industry and consider what others may be less negatively impacted by current business conditions. Determine what aspects of your skills and accomplishments are most relevant to these industries.

 

Assemble a list of contacts working in these industries and for potential future employers with whom you can discuss possible employment opportunities and who could provide useful job-hunting advice. Activate your existing professional network and start making new contacts.

 

Work through the Careers section of the ACS website to get job hunting advice and obtain advice from ACS career consultants (http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_SUPERARTICLE&node_id=1781&use_sec=false&sec_url_var=region1&__uuid=1f4eff7a-215b-4121-894c-171f93b9fbdc) on how to improve your resume.

 

Losing your job is a traumatic experience. Being prepared to get your job hunt off to a fast start and lessen this trauma and put you on the road to career recovery.

 

Full-time science writer John Borchardt is an ACS Career Consultant and certified Workshop Presenter. As an industrial chemist he holds 30 U.S. patents and written more than 130 peer-reviewed technical articles.

New ACS Careers Programs Help Ensure Economic and Professional Success

The current economic situation has caused much uncertainty and worry for our members and others within the chemical enterprise. New graduates are experiencing greater difficulty in obtaining full time employment, and many mid- to late-career chemists are transitioning from one job to the next. Mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations are once again reshaping the chemical landscape, and business cycles once measured in years are best calibrated on a much shorter timescale.

As we face uncertain economic times, it is important that each of us positions ourselves as competitively as we can to be successful. Today’s workplace requires ingenuity, flexibility, and continuous professional development from its practitioners. It also requires a practical understanding of current business practices. In order to help ensure the continued prosperity and success of our members, and the companies for which they work, the Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA) is pleased to announce the addition of two new programs to the ACS Careers portfolio.

Through a collaborative partnership with Harvard Business Publishing, ACS is offering a suite of 42 introductory online business and management skills courses through the new ACS Center for Professional Development. The course library includes topics such as Career Management, Negotiating, Leading and Motivating, Presentation Skills, Strategic Thinking, Team Leadership, Time Management, and many other high-quality courses. At $25 per course, this offering is substantially discounted for our members. Even lower rates are available for members who are currently unemployed. To enroll in one of these courses or to find out more about the topics covered, go to www.acs.org/careers.

The ACS Careers Industry Forum is a monthly teleconference featuring luminaries from the chemical industry who speak about economic and other trends affecting employment. This is a free service of the Society. The series which debuted in September featured Dr. Magid Abou-Garbia, Senior Vice President and Head of Chemical and Screening Sciences for Wyeth Drug Discovery and Development as the first speaker who discussed strategies for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, the forum followed with Dr. Carolyn Ribes of Dow Benelux BV in the Netherlands who spoke about the challenges and opportunities of working abroad, and Dr. Michael Stem of Strem Chemicals Inc. who spoke about the differences between small and large companies. The upcoming forum in January will showcase incoming ACS President Dr. Thomas Lane of Dow Corning Corporation who is the Director of Global Science and Technology Outreach. To sign up for upcoming ACS Careers Industry Forum teleconferences, visit the ACS Careers Blog at acscareers.wordpress.com.

CEPA is also proud to support the ACS Network. The ACS Network is a professional networking tool for the global chemistry community, hosted by the American Chemical Society. Combined with our already successful ACS Careers Jobs Database, the Network promises to be one of the most empowering tools for today’s job seekers. The addition of ACS Global Partners to the ACS Network will make it even more powerful. ACS Global Partners are those with electronic access to ACS journal subscriptions through their library or other institution. To use these tools in concert, simply search and apply for jobs from the jobs database, and then conduct a search within the ACS Network for people working at your potential employer. To join or use the ACS Network follow the link on the ACS homepage, www.acs.org.

Healthcare and health insurance were identified as the top workforce concerns of ACS members. In response, CEPA, in conjunction with Office of Public Affairs, developed a public policy statement on the issue, which was subsequently approved by the ACS Board of Directors. The policy advocates removal of barriers to allow national Association Health Care plans. In addition CEPA will be polling members of the Legislative Action Network to help identify other workforce issues and concerns.

These new services complement existing ACS programs that offer ACS members a means to remain competitive in a changing economic environment. For example, ACS members benefit from free weekly issues of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) including the special report “Employment Outlook,” published in the November 3, 2008, issue. To sharpen and increase marketable technical skills, continuing education courses are available both in-person and on the web at a discount to ACS members. Membership in ACS Divisions provides a network of colleagues in your own discipline of chemistry.

CEPA continues to monitor the economic and professional status of our members, and is working to create additional programs, products and services with the chief goal of enabling the professional success of Society members in the U. S. and abroad.

This article originally appeared in the November 17, 2008 edition of C&EN. It was written by Dr. Martin Gorbaty Chair of the ACS Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs.

WANTED: NEW JERSEY SCIENCE TEACHERS

A native of northern China, Donghong Sun graduated with a BS in Chemistry from the University of Beijing in 1992 and moved to the United States to pursue her PhD in Chemistry at Columbia University. After graduating from Columbia, Sun conducted postdoctoral work a Rutgers University and landed a position working on pesticide formulation for Rohm and Haas. She decided to leave industry after her first child was born. Following a discussion about Rider University’s Graduate-Level Teacher Certification Program (GLTP) with the mother of one of her daughter’s classmates, Sun decided to pursue a teaching career.

Currently in her second year as a chemistry teacher at Montgomery High School in Skillman, Sun is one of hundreds of second-career seekers who have participated in the Rider University’s GLTP. Graduates who have completed all the requirements of an approved program in teacher education are eligible to receive a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, which authorizes the individual to seek and accept offers of employment in New Jersey schools. After a year of mentorship on the job in a New Jersey school, the certificate becomes valid for the lifetime of its holder.

“The Rider program came so highly recommended and it opened up a whole new way of thinking about teaching for me,” recalls Sun. “I like the fact that the program puts the student at the center of active learning versus sitting passively taking notes which was the norm when I was a student,” Sun added.

“There is certainly a shortage in science teachers and we are trying to bridge the gap,” stated Sandra Alberti, Director of the Office of Math and Science Education in New Jersey, “We recognize the need for our students to have a strong foundation in life sciences in order to contribute to the future well being of the economy. That’s why we are promoting best practices in math and science education and have already mandated that New Jersey students must now take biology as one of the core sciences courses in high school.”

The primary goal of the Office of Math and Science Education is to strengthen skills of all students, increase the number of math and science graduates from colleges and universities and develop initiatives that will increase the number of certified math and science teachers. “Ultimately, our goal is to develop a world class workforce by assisting students and job seekers in obtaining the skills and education that are needed in a competitive economy,” added Alberti. Rider University’s GLTP program is just one of the programs that encourage individuals to pursue teaching careers in math and science. Launched in 2003, the New Pathway to Teaching in New Jersey (NPTNJ) also offers a statewide alternate route teacher preparation program for candidates who already possess a bachelor’s degree and certificate of eligibility. Candidates take NPTNJ coursework at local NJ Community Colleges using a curriculum created jointly by New Jersey City University and the Community Colleges. NPTNJ includes a pre-service component that incorporates classroom management techniques, lesson planning, and on-site classroom observations. Once individuals receive a teaching position, they take coursework essential for the development of excellent teachers.

“Of the nearly 400 individuals who have participated in the 2007-2008 NPTNJ program, approximately 28% represented math and science teachers,” stated Darlene Yoseloff, Director of School Relations, Middlesex County College.

Liberty Science Center is also focused on strengthening the quality of science teachers. Through its Gateway program, Liberty Science Center offers a unique approved Regional Training Center for alternate route science teachers. Alternate route science teachers who have their first school contract in the state are eligible to participate in the training. The majority of the training is completed during an intensive 20-day summer program before they enter their first teaching assignment. Participants observe and teach lessons in a local summer school program and receive onsite coaching visits once they are actually working in their school.

Mary Ellen Clark is Executive Director of the Central New Jersey WIRED Bio-1 initiative. Bio-1 focuses on retaining and expanding high quality jobs in the biosciences sector, as well as exciting young people about the biosciences and laying smooth education and career pathways to increasing bioscience workforce development through training and transformational graduate programs.

Mature Workers have what Employers Want

The economy might be slowing but numbers show that the demand for the mature worker has not been impacted as much as you may think.  The number of workers 50 or older are growing while those 45 or younger in the workforce are declining.  The myth is workers who are 50 or older who have lost their jobs are finding it more difficult to find employment but the reality is that those workers are winning new jobs at the same length of time as their young less experienced counterparts.  Mature workers are viewed as being work-tested and experienced. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported “employment among mature workers grew by 3.7 percent from July 2007 to July 2008 while the workers ages 20 to 44 declined by an average of 1.3 percent during the same period.”  Congress has defined the mature worker as 45 or older.  Where does that put you? 

This new information dispels the long standing myth that mature workers have an even more difficult time securing employment in a down economy.  It has been suggested that companies are relying even more heavily on the experienced workers in this down economy placing a premium on knowledge and less on having to payout the increased salary and benefits.  Beyond the technical skills, employers are putting a premium on the soft skills, work ethic and business acumen that most mature workers have developed.

More good news is that the BLS data show that the biggest employment gains for the mature worker occurred within management, professional and related occupations. The numbers show that mature workers secured 659,000 new positions over the last 12 months.

The baby boomers age segment has been increasing with the number of Americans 55 or older by 2.7% over that last 12 months.  This compared to those under 45 whose employment growth is at 3.7%.  A Challenger quarterly survey reported, “The median length of job search for the mature worker 50 or older was about 4.2 months, compared to younger job seekers at 3.6 months.”  Only two week’s differential. 

The demand for older workers is particularly high in sectors that continue to experience growth despite the current economic conditions.  Most companies are reviewing the next few quarters and identifying their labor shortfalls.  Companies are looking to delay the exodus of retirees from their ranks.  Mature workers are having an increased concern on their ability to retire in the short term.  The AARP and other groups are reported in recent surveys that about 20% of retirees are delaying retirement due to the economic downturn. 

Even with the downturn some close to retirement are looking forward to new careers or start their own consulting firms.  The Economic Policy Institute reports that 43 percent of workers switch jobs after age 50 and 27 percent change occupations.  Mature workers are looking to their next career to be meaningful and impact the community or society.  The mature workers are most welcome in the healthcare, teaching, consulting or small business sectors. 

 

The good news is opportunities for the mature worker are widening as has not been the case in the past.  If you are in career transition you have more career choices than ever before; it is now up to you to expand your vision of desire.

 

This was written by Liane H. Gould, Manager of Career Services for ACS Careers, former employee with the AARP Foundation working on mature worker issues and a certified Life/Career Coach. 

 

 

 

 

ACS Science Policy Fellow: Barclay Satterfield

During her fellowship, Barclay has had the opportunity to work on a number of policy development and advocacy efforts with ACS, ranging from the congressional briefing series to the ACS policy website.  In particular, the fellowship has offered her several excellent avenues to work on environmental policy — an issue that has long been her primary professional and personal interest.

Satterfield Video Interview

 

View a video interview of Barclay

Barclay Satterfield is the Science Policy Fellow in the American Chemical Society’s Office of Legislative & Government Affairs.  She completed a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Yale University in 2002 and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University in 2007.

As a graduate student, she worked with polymer membrane fuel cells, helped run a student organization, Greening Princeton, and completed a certificate in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy through Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs and the Princeton Environmental Institute.

The Science Policy Fellowship in the American Chemical Society’s Office of Public Affairs experience offers a broad exposure to the workings of the office, the Society, and the science policy world as a whole.

Barclay’s projects have included staffing an ACS-sponsored workshop on non-technical barriers to sustainability in the chemical industry and helping use the workshop results to craft a viewpoint article that was submitted to the journal Environmental Science & Technology.  In addition, she has contributed to two policy statements for the Society: one on visa policies for visiting students and researchers and the other on sustainability in the chemical enterprise.

Barclay has helped develop and organize three congressional briefings as part of the Society’s Science & the Congress briefings project: one presenting the science, policy, and business perspectives on climate change, one on measurements and impacts of the disappearing Greenland ice sheet, and a third on including nanotechnology in science education.

In addition, Barclay has been in charge of developing the office’s policy webpage –www.acs.org/policy.   This has been a chance to learn and share advice and ideas for members to become involved, help organize policy activities at the local section level and ensure successful advocacy meetings with their elected officials.   The web project has also offered an excellent motivation to study the office’s goals, methods, and history of achievements and to grapple with effective ways to communicate these to Society members and the public.

Finally, during her fellowship Barclay has had many chances to promote science policy as a career path for scientists and engineers.  At ACS national meetings, she has staffed the Legislative Action Network booth, both recruiting LAN members and answering questions for those interested in applying for an ACS Public Policy fellowship.  She has also traveled to appear on two career panels in the graduate chemistry departments of Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, Urbana Champagne.  She has also described her experiences for the internet audience in a recent www.act4chemistry.org video and in this blog.

The ACS Office of Public Affairs is now accepting applications for its 2009-2010 public policy fellowships.  The application deadline is December 31.  To learn more about this exciting opportunity click here.