“There is no trophy at the end for slogging through a career you don’t find rewarding.” – Marciano Bagnoli
The ACS Greater Houston Section Younger Chemists Committee successfully hosted “Lab to Life: Chemistry Careers in Action” on the evening of April 29th, an engaging virtual event designed to highlight diverse career pathways in chemistry and support students and early-career professionals.
The event saw 80 registrations, marking a record for ACS-GHS YCC virtual programming, with over 50 participants actively engaged throughout the evening. This strong turnout reflects the growing interest in career development and community connection within the chemical sciences.
The evening featured keynote speaker Marciano Bagnoli, Operational Excellence Leader at Bakelite Synthetics, who shared valuable insights on innovation, leadership, and applying multidisciplinary approaches to solve complex challenges. A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring professionals from intellectual property, academia, and industry. Panelists Valerie Moore, Caol Huff, Olbelina Ulloa, and Joseph G. Duff provided practical guidance and shared personal career experiences.
“Once I got into the chemistry track, the ACS was pivotal in my career. Our professors had us doing research every year, we were going and giving posters every year […]. I decided to change to a full-blooded chemistry major because I went to an ACS meeting and looked at all of the presentations that looked really fun […]. Los Alamos National Labs was doing a presentation on blowing stuff up and looking at the force and everything that goes into how much a sign bends and cars cave in, and I’m like, well that’s my math, and then that’s my chemistry...and I was like, that’s what I want to do the rest of my life. No, I don’t blow stuff up. I’m sorry.” – Valerie Moore
Key advice shared with attendees included the importance of:
- Networking intentionally and building meaningful connections
- Remaining open to new and unexpected opportunities
- Reaching out to professionals with clear purpose and curiosity
- Maintaining a strong work ethic
- Continuously developing soft skills alongside technical expertise
The event also fostered meaningful engagement through interactive discussions and breakout sessions, allowing participants to connect directly with professionals and peers.
Overall, the event provided a valuable platform for inspiration, mentorship, and professional growth. The ACS-GHS YCC looks forward to continuing to support the next generation of chemists through impactful programming and community engagement.
Looking for concrete steps you can take to prepare your career plan? Through the ACS Career Pathways program, ACS members (including student members) can take advantage of free on-demand (virtual) or select in-person career and leadership training, as well as engaging with personal career consultants for resume feedback, interview preparation/mock interviews, or answers to any other career questions you may have. Explore all the career resources and tools available to ACS members on the ACS Careers website, and let the ACS help you build the future you deserve.
