Monthly Challenges

Participate in each monthly challenge to learn new skills and expand your knowledge. Explore the current challenge below, share your accomplishments on social media with the monthly hashtag, and check back soon for next month's challenge.

#TakeActionAugust

Between the often lazy days of summer and the chaos of 2020, it can be easy to let things slide. August is a great time to start taking control again. Do something  for yourself or your community. Need ideas? Check below.

Share your achievements (large & small) using #TakeActionAugust so others can celebrate with you.

Take action for yourself

• Sign up for the C&EN Table Talk “Coping with Chaos” featuring Dr. Lindsay Bira, clinical psychologist on August 6 and August 13
• Minding your mental health 
  Know when you need a break and when you need help
• Feel like an imposter? Read these articles about overcoming imposter syndrome:
  Honest Self-Reflection As a Graduate Student: Scientist, Imposter, Who Is the Real Me? 
  Fighting Self-Doubt When Imposter Syndrome Kicks In 
• Study Plan for the Semester 
  Try these 5 strategies now to rock your exams later
• How to Stay Sane with a Crazy Busy Schedule 
  Take control of the upcoming semester with these tips to help you balance school, work, and life. 

Take action for your career

• Meet new people (get tips on virtual networking)
• Attend a conference, like the ACS Fall 2020 Virtual National Meeting, an upcoming ACS regional meeting or topical conference, NOBCChE conference, SACNAS conference, or ACS Science Talks
• Talk with a Career Consultant during ACS Career Office Hours
• See how you can leverage your ACS Membership

Take action for the community

Explore race & diversity

• ACS Core Value of Diversity, Inclusion & Respect  We believe in the strength of diversity in all its forms, because inclusion of and respect for diverse people, experiences, and ideas lead to superior solutions to world challenges and advances chemistry as a global, multidisciplinary science. 
  
• Talking about Race (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
• Center for Antiracist Research (Boston University)

Advocate for science

• Legislation that may impact the chemical enterprise comes before Congress on a regular basis, and ACS is committed to keeping its members informed and encouraging them to weigh in on high-priority issues. Join Act4Chemistry.
• The ACS Chemistry Advocacy Workshop is a free, online course designed to train ACS Members who are passionate about science and chemistry advocacy. Participants will learn to successfully plan and execute advocacy activities, as well as have an opportunity to network and build a community with others passionate about science advocacy. 
• ACS Kids Zone is an event featuring science activities conducted by ACS member to teach the public about the importance of chemistry. 

Take action for your classmates and peers

Start a Student Chapter or Graduate Student Organization

• Can’t meet in person? See how the chapters at Texas A&M, UT-Austin, and the National University of Singapore are keeping connected virtually.
  

Brush up on cultural etiquette

• Business Etiquette Around the World (Fundera)
• Business Etiquette Basics from Around the World (Entrepreneur)