ACS Members Helping Other Members: The Career Consultant Program
When asked to prepare an article describing an ACS benefit of particular value to younger chemists, I immediately thought of the ACS Career Consultant who helped me through my transition from graduate school to industrial employment. My Career Consultant provided insightful recommendations for my résumé as well as direction throughout the job search process. My ACS Career Consultant also provided valuable guidance as I negotiated my eventual employment agreement.
The ACS Career Consultant Program (CCP) offers free and confidential mentoring from experienced chemical professionals to younger and early career chemists. The CCP aims to provide guidance to chemical professionals at all stages of their careers. This guidance includes job searching strategies, various résumé and curriculum vitae (CV) formats, and résumé/CV reviews, as well as career management and planning throughout a chemist's entire career.
A Career Consultants must be either a chemist or a professional in the chemical sciences with an accredited degree and pertinent work experience. This includes experience in personal job searches or helping others. Career Consultants also have experience with career changes such as hiring, promotions, layoffs, or downsizing. Remaining current on trends in chemical employment and the workforce is also required for volunteer Career Consultants. All consultations are conducted via e-mail and/or telephone.
Along with providing ongoing one-on-one mentoring, Career Consultants participate in career assistance programming at ACS National, Regional, and other ACS Meetings. They also work with local sections to provide career development workshops, one-on-one career assistance, and other resources to local section ACS members.
I have benefited greatly from the career services available free to ACS members. Among these services are publications describing job search strategies, résumé preparation, and interviewing skills. I utilized each of these services in preparing to enter the job market; however, I found that the personalized guidance provided by my ACS Career Consultant to be the most beneficial service during my transition from graduate school to industrial employment.
The ACS Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA) administers the CCP. To learn more about the CCP and to find a Career Consultant, please visit the ACS website.
