Emilee
Beyond maintaining good grades and high work quality, how can I stand out to future employers while in college?
I’m a senior going into either chemical engineering or materials science and a hope to work my way up to a degree in nanotechnology. My ideal career field is going to de extremely competitive, and I want to do everything I can to secure a career that I’ll enjoy. #stem #material-science #chemical-engineering
3 answers
Victoria German
Victoria’s Answer
This is a great question. Grades and high quality work are critical but they aren't the entire story.
Strong communication skills, relating to people in order to create productive teams, and building a solid professional network through good work is critical in all professions.
Here are some things you can do today that will help you stand out:
Join a professional organization in this field on campus or in your industry (most have student memberships, a magazine, a website, and lots of contacts)
Read as many biographies as you can and see what groups, organizations, and career progressions leaders in your field choose. You might find there are many paths to achieve success.
Determine who is working on key projects, where these are located, and what companies/institutions/universities are making contributions to the field.
Then network in the classroom, the department, other departments, and in the industry.
Participate in talks, follow online forums.
Volunteer in your field because you will meet so many professionals leading the way: it's a great way for a young professional to meet tenured or senior scientists.
Write emails or letters to people who present something you think is interesting.
Now you want to balance all this with getting good grades and producing high quality work but if you are organized and thoughtful about how you seek out these opportunities, you will succeed.
So many campuses have receptions for visiting professors and professionals.
Go to these events and be the first one to ask a question (have a good one in mind by researching the speaker beforehand). Be the person that breaks the ice and starts the discussion.
Talent is important but hard work, networking, and solving actual problems that improve your field will put you on the path to achieving your goal. There are so many opportunities in STEM out there that if one door shuts keep going and persevere until you find another door that opens.
stem material-science chemical-engineering
college
Lori Brown
Lori’s Answer
Hi Emilee!
Great question to be asking so early! I agree with everything that Victoria mentioned, especially volunteering and professional societies (like American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, any specific to nanotechnology if you can find them).
A couple of additional things that I will add here:
- Work experience: Seek out opportunities for either research in your fields of interest or internships / co-op work options.
- Leadership: Being very active / leading in one or two organizations that are focused in your area of interest speak louder to an employer than being just a general member of ten different, unfocused clubs. Especially in today’s work environment where most things get done in teams and being able to lead teams / work collaboratively are hugely important.
- Community service: Giving back / volunteering, especially in an area of your interest (like Engineers without Borders).
- Extracurriculars: Key here is activities in your area of interest - one opportunity for chemical engineering is the annual AIChE Chem-E-Car competition, where you get to build a chemical reaction powered car. Some other options are robotics competitions, etc. Scope out what’s available at your school of choice! Being active in a professional society will help you get in the loop and be aware of what may be available to you.
A candidate with a very active, focused background in their field with a 3.5 GPA is always more interesting and compelling than a candidate with a perfect 4.0 but no extra activities.
All that being said, don’t hesitate to branch into some extracurriculars that are outside of your focus either - that would show you to be well-rounded (for example, if you’re really passionate about Habitat for Humanity, or Toastmasters, or Camping, or whatever!). Or just working in general, as that demonstrates your commitment and ability to manage your time.
Amber Steeves
Amber’s Answer
Internships and social responsibility will help you to stand out with future employers while you are in college. By social responsibility, I am referring to community involvement thru volunteering or organizations that are important to your future employer and especially, to you.