Yet when they go out into industry, they will most certainly be working with these other disciplines at some time. In short, it prepares students for a future in a competitive industry in a way that university course work cannot. That kind of experience is valuable when it comes time to secure a job. Those who recruit and hire chemists say they favor candidates who have experience working alongside scientists in other disciplines or with people outside the research realm. But they are quick to point out that valuable team experiences can occur outside the academic or industrial environments.
Students can demonstrate an aptitude for teamwork in a variety of settings.
Often, summer job experiences give students insight into how teams work and allow them to develop skills that translate into the business world, says Martha Caughey, human resources manager for Abbott Laboratories' Diagnostics Division. She recalls a candidate who had gained valuable team experience as an assistant manager at a fast-food restaurant. On a daily basis, he had to clearly communicate the expectations for each employee, maintain productivity, and resolve conflicts. Even though his experience was not in an academic or industrial setting, he was able to demonstrate all the traits we look for in a great team leader. Extracurricular activities can be another avenue for building team-oriented skills, says Elizabeth Gallimore, a human resources project analyst for Chevron Chemical.