ACS Chicago 2022

There is widespread recognition of the value in building diverse talent in industry, but there are also significant challenges for recruiting and retaining underrepresented minorities (URM). Several science and technology companies have responded by enhancing their recruiting practices to improve the diversity of their talent pool as well as developing strategies to retain URMs through career development plans. The goals of this half-day symposium are to: 1) share what each company is doing to build diverse talent, 2) provide students with a broad view of opportunities to build their network with industrial scientists and engineers, and 3) maximize students’ potential to be successful in the job search process by providing insights into life in industry and the graduate recruiting process.

In the session, we will feature a keynote speaker to provide context on the current realities (quantitative data) and barriers to LGBTQ+ student success in STEM. The keynote will naturally lead into a panel featuring academics at different levels – postdoctoral studies, early-career faculty, and administration – where lived experiences will be shared. The discussion will include both barriers panel members have faced and strategies, focused on actions, that members have used to overcome these barriers. We feel the discussion will be relevant for chemists across the academic trajectory. The panel will include both a moderator-led Q&A and an open Q&A from the audience.