On February 16, 2023, a distinguished group of FOSSI partners joined scholars virtually to share career advice and answer questions. Panelists included:
- Carl Long; Global Quality Director, Reinforcement Materials; Cabot
- Reginald Williams; Chief Information Security Officer; Chemours
- Maureen Onyeziri; Research Scientist, Crop Genome Engineering, Talent Acquisition & Development Associate, R&D Operations; Corteva
- Jerry Forest; Senior Director Process Safety; Celanese
- Lawrence Moreaux; Director, Digital Technology Integration; LyondellBasell
To begin, each panelist shared a few details about their personal journeys.
Panelists share what inspired their careers in STEM
Maureen Onyeziri grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where there was poor infrastructure for education. “When I graduated from college with my degree in microbiology, I realized there was still so much I didn’t know. I left Nigeria, got my Ph.D. in the U.S., and am so grateful because it led me to where I am today at Corteva as a research scientist. I like my work to have impact, and to be able to witness that impact. Applied research in an industrial setting gives me the opportunity to do just that.”
Reginald White chose computer science, which has led to a long career in cybersecurity. When discussing his motivation for choosing this career, he remarked “because I like a challenge and want a new one every day. An attacker uses different techniques to attack you daily. I find that interesting and motivating.”
Carl Long received his degree in chemical engineering, and initially worked in research and business support, which was responsible for bringing new technical advances into manufacturing plants and troubleshooting issues in the product lines. During this first experience, he fell in love with manufacturing, transferred to a plant engineering role, and never looked back. He has been in manufacturing functions ever since.
Jerry Forest’s dad encouraged him to be a ChemE. “I knew I could make a lot of money, but my focus switched when I lost a friend in a plant explosion. I realized it wasn’t all about making money and I wanted to make a difference by keeping people safe. I have made a life-long career that I love in process safety as a result.”
Lawrence Moreaux began college as a mechanical engineer, but switched to chemical engineering with the guidance of great mentors, including the head of the chemical engineering department at his college. He noted the versatility of a STEM degree and the broad range of experiences it has afforded him in operations, site management, process safety, and in his current role in digital technology integration.
Following the introductory comments, students joined in with their questions on a variety of topics, including resumes, internships, and work-life balance.
Resumes: how to stand out
“A resume is a list of what you’ve done and who you are,” said Forest. “Did you work in a restaurant? Maybe you learned to manage irate customers. I ran marathons and learned about intermediate and long-term goal setting. What you’ve learned in your experiences brings your resume to life,” but he cautioned “what you don’t bring are embellishments.”
White advocated self-study. “Show self-initiative, what you are doing on your own. Your classes and good grades are important, but what sets you apart from everyone else is what you do that is beyond what is required.“
Internships
Moreaux found that his many internships solidified and enhanced his curriculum. "I got to see how the things I was learning were applied practically and how things fit. Seeing ‘a day in the life of an engineer’ through an internship brought everything to life."
White counseled students to intern early and often. “You gain real world experience and knowledge. It’s fine to intern at one company for all 4 years during college,” but he advised, “try different companies and a range of experiences. That way, wherever you decide to land, you bring that broader perspective and learning with you.”
Long added, “You might not think you want to work for a certain company, but once you get there, you can be exposed to something new you may never have considered. Equally if not more important, you might learn what you don’t like to do.”
Work-Life balance
Onyeziri encouraged students to “Find people around you who have common interests. It easy to get sucked into a cycle of academics. Be intentional and make time for anything that brings you joy. Put it on your calendar; if it’s scheduled you won’t feel guilty doing it.”
Long, a varsity track athlete, told scholars to keep their priorities straight and understand what’s important to them. “Find a supportive study group with a schedule like yours. After my sophomore year, I had to make a choice. I stopped track because I wanted to finish my degree in chemical engineering, and I have no regrets.”
Values and reflections
As the session came to a close, panelists shared some final thoughts.
“Process Safety, has a lot to do with ethics and business,” commented Forest. “It’s important to start off with a good understanding of your own values. If a company’s values are aligned with those, it will be a good fit.”
Long shared, “In college, I felt so fortunate to be around brilliant people from all over the world and to be able to work with and learn from them. I have felt that way in every job I have had and it keeps me engaged and motivated. “
Onyeziri urged students to “make the best of what you have right now. Success depends on how you navigate your own journey through life and your education. It’s about making the most of what life throws at you in the moment.”
Moreaux asked students to think about the impact they can have on others, with White adding, “Serve others: whether it’s volunteering at your church, the local foodbank, Jack and Jill or groups like NSBE. I want you to be a good employee, but I also want to understand what you’re doing for your community and your family.”
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