FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 30, 2011

American Chemical Society Webinar™ offers insight into academic job prospects

DENVER, Aug. 30, 2011 — A trio of college professors will describe effective ways to land an academic job during a webinar today beginning at 1 p.m. MDT. The one-hour session is the latest in a series of American Chemical Society (ACS) WebinarsTM.

University of Mississippi professor, Dr. Jason Ritchie; Rollins College professor, Dr. Laurel Goj; and Aims Community College Professor, Ms. Christine Gaudinski will discuss hiring processes at most academic institution and offer advice about how to avoid the common pitfalls that can derail the quest for an academic position.

News media and scientists attending the ACS national meeting in Denver can attend in person at the Colorado Convention Center. Others can tune into the conference without charge, but must register in advance at http://acswebinars.org/vcf2011 and select the link for the appropriate webinar.

The discussion will include:

  • Advice for those interested in working at the community college level.
  • Interview and techniques to approach colleges and universities regarding teaching positions.
  • Insight into what skills and qualifications each type of academic institution is seeking.
  • Interview techniques that enable applicants to make a strong, positive impression that sets them apart from the competition.

Christine Gaudinski earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biochemistry from LaSalle University and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently a chemistry professor and the chair of the science department at Aims Community College in Greeley, Colo. Before joining the faculty at Aims, she was a full-time faculty member at Arapahoe Community College and the Harrisburg Area Community College. Christine has been recognized for outstanding teaching by both Aims Community College and Arapahoe Community College.

Laurel Goj earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Smith College. In 2004, she received a Ph.D. at Duke University, and later did postdoctoral work at North Carolina State University. She accepted a tenure-track position at Rollins College in Florida and on both visiting and tenure-track hiring committees at Rollins. Her experience relating to academic employment also includes four years as a career consultant for the American Chemical Society.

Jason Ritchie, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi, where he has been teaching for the past 11 years. He is the Councilor for the Ole Miss Local Section and serves on the Membership Affairs Committee. He recently served on the Board Oversight Group on Leadership and Development, and the Younger Chemists Committee. He teaches two courses in the ACS Leadership Development System.

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Media Contact

Samuel Toba
202-872-6191
s_toba@acs.org

Nancy Blount
703-307-0498 (Aug. 27-31)
202-872-4440
n_blount@acs.org