Rotobabe
04-22-2009, 09:38 AM
Mentoring – I am designating that as the unofficial theme for my tenure as Chair of the Division of Chemistry and the Law (“CHAL”). Before I explain why, I would like to take this opportunity to say that I am honored to serve as the 2009 Chair. I am also grateful to those who elected me to be a part of the distinguished group of men and woman who previously served as CHAL’s Chair. And, I am thankful to Justin Hasford for his past and continued assistance in making my transition into this position as smooth as possible; additionally, I look forward to working with Jay Brown as he prepares to take the reins as CHAL’s 2010 Chair. Finally, I look forward to working with all of CHAL’s members in 2009 and beyond.
Okay, let’s get back to Mentoring. While I have been fortunate to meet many mentors along my professional career path, I will never forget meeting and speaking to my first CHAL mentor. It was a brief meeting and I am not sure if my first CHAL mentor even remembers meeting me. As an Rider University undergraduate chemistry student, I met my first CHAL mentor at the Fall 1995 ACS National Meeting in Chicago. I was interested in using my chemical training in the legal profession, but I was unsure about how to prepare for the legal profession at that time. I sought answers to questions such as: (1) are there really legal opportunities for persons with a chemistry degree?; (2) Do I need to go law school?; and (3) If I attend law school, what were the advantages of having an undergraduate versus a graduate degree in chemistry?
During that Chicago meeting, I attended the Sci-Mix event and was immediately drawn toward the group of people who were hovering around a large chocolate bar. When I joined that group, I learned that CHAL was sponsoring a free chocolate giveaway. Over a few chocolate pieces, I obtained answers to all of my questions and gained a new mentor in one of CHAL’s founders and former Chairs – yes, it was Howard Peters. Unbeknownst to me, the information that I received during the few minutes that I spent speaking to Howard while enjoying free chocolate, was invaluable to my professional career and was also my introduction to CHAL.
As the 2009 CHAL Chair, I hope to work with other CHAL members to create these types of interactions for younger chemists. To facilitate this effort, I am pleased to inform CHAL members that the Council Committee on Divisional Activities (“DAC”) awarded CHAL funding through the Innovative Projects Fund for Divisional Enhancement in the amount of $7,500 to be used for CHAL Mentoring Project.
CHAL’s Mentoring Project will focus on increasing the participation of existing CHAL members in divisional activities in addition to the recruitment of younger chemists to become active CHAL members. To accomplish this, the project will facilitate increased interactions between members, who work in careers involving the interaction of chemistry and the law, and younger chemists, who are interested in beginning (or have recently began) a career related to chemistry and the law.
Resultantly, CHAL seeks existing CHAL members who are willing to reach out to and start a mentoring relationship with a younger chemist, particularly underrepresented minorities and women. That member will be asked to share his or her professional experiences with that chemist and encourage that younger chemist to become an active CHAL member. To advance the building of a mentoring relationship, CHAL will provide limited financial support to CHAL members who, among other things, agree to arrange two meetings with a younger chemist: first a coffee meeting and later lunch meeting. If interested in learning more about or participating in CHAL’s Mentoring Project, please contact me via email at mmckithen@milbank.com (or mamckithen@yahoo.com) or via phone at 212-530-5457.
Marc McKithen
Okay, let’s get back to Mentoring. While I have been fortunate to meet many mentors along my professional career path, I will never forget meeting and speaking to my first CHAL mentor. It was a brief meeting and I am not sure if my first CHAL mentor even remembers meeting me. As an Rider University undergraduate chemistry student, I met my first CHAL mentor at the Fall 1995 ACS National Meeting in Chicago. I was interested in using my chemical training in the legal profession, but I was unsure about how to prepare for the legal profession at that time. I sought answers to questions such as: (1) are there really legal opportunities for persons with a chemistry degree?; (2) Do I need to go law school?; and (3) If I attend law school, what were the advantages of having an undergraduate versus a graduate degree in chemistry?
During that Chicago meeting, I attended the Sci-Mix event and was immediately drawn toward the group of people who were hovering around a large chocolate bar. When I joined that group, I learned that CHAL was sponsoring a free chocolate giveaway. Over a few chocolate pieces, I obtained answers to all of my questions and gained a new mentor in one of CHAL’s founders and former Chairs – yes, it was Howard Peters. Unbeknownst to me, the information that I received during the few minutes that I spent speaking to Howard while enjoying free chocolate, was invaluable to my professional career and was also my introduction to CHAL.
As the 2009 CHAL Chair, I hope to work with other CHAL members to create these types of interactions for younger chemists. To facilitate this effort, I am pleased to inform CHAL members that the Council Committee on Divisional Activities (“DAC”) awarded CHAL funding through the Innovative Projects Fund for Divisional Enhancement in the amount of $7,500 to be used for CHAL Mentoring Project.
CHAL’s Mentoring Project will focus on increasing the participation of existing CHAL members in divisional activities in addition to the recruitment of younger chemists to become active CHAL members. To accomplish this, the project will facilitate increased interactions between members, who work in careers involving the interaction of chemistry and the law, and younger chemists, who are interested in beginning (or have recently began) a career related to chemistry and the law.
Resultantly, CHAL seeks existing CHAL members who are willing to reach out to and start a mentoring relationship with a younger chemist, particularly underrepresented minorities and women. That member will be asked to share his or her professional experiences with that chemist and encourage that younger chemist to become an active CHAL member. To advance the building of a mentoring relationship, CHAL will provide limited financial support to CHAL members who, among other things, agree to arrange two meetings with a younger chemist: first a coffee meeting and later lunch meeting. If interested in learning more about or participating in CHAL’s Mentoring Project, please contact me via email at mmckithen@milbank.com (or mamckithen@yahoo.com) or via phone at 212-530-5457.
Marc McKithen