🔬Unlocking the Secrets of Career Growth!

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Good morning STEM enthusiasts! Fun fact… on this day, February 28, 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick announced they had cracked the structure of DNA—a double helix. This breakthrough revolutionized genetics, paving the way for modern biotech and medicine.

Today’s issue:
🔎Job Spotlight: Unlock the Magic of Analytical Chemistry
🔬Celebrating Black History: COVID Vaccine Trailblazer - Kizzmekia Corbett
💡Career Development Tips: Career Growth Formula - What It Really Takes to Advance

STEM JOB OF THE WEEK
Unlock the Magic of Analytical Chemistry!

So, what does a chemist actually do? Well, think of them as detectives of the molecular world. They're the folks who tinker with substances, figure out what they're made of, and how they react with each other. From developing new medicines to creating stronger materials or even just making sure your drinking water is safe, chemists are constantly experimenting and analyzing. They're basically problem-solvers on a tiny, atomic scale, using their knowledge of chemistry to improve our lives in countless ways.

Major:
Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related science field.

Entry Level Roles:
- Analytical Chemist, Agricultural and Food Science Technician, Chemical Technician, Forensic Science Technician, Material Scientist, Process Development Chemist, Research Chemist, Polymer Chemist

Job functions:
- Analyze organic and inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure. Conduct quality control tests. Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed. Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents to conduct tests, compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiently or to diagnose malfunctions.

Skills Needed:
- Critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, deductive reasoning, oral and written comprehension, computers and electronics

Salary Landscape:
- The salary range varies depending on factors such as location, experience, and skill level.
- An entry-level Chemist can expect an annual salary ranging from $33,555 - $71,550 with the average at $51,397 per year in the United States.  (Source: Zip Recruiter) 

SPECIAL EDITION
Celebrating Black History: COVID Vaccine Trailblazer - Kizzmekia Corbett

If you haven’t heard of Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, it’s time to change that. She’s one of the brilliant minds behind the science that helped the world fight COVID-19. A viral immunologist and researcher, Corbett played a leading role in developing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. But her impact goes beyond that—she’s also a passionate advocate for science education and representation in STEM.

In 2014, Corbett joined the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), where she worked under Dr. Anthony Fauci. When COVID-19 emerged in late 2019, she and her team had already been studying coronaviruses for years. Their research on mRNA vaccine technology allowed them to develop the Moderna vaccine at record speed—helping to save millions of lives worldwide.

Corbett has received numerous honors, including:

• TIME100 Next List (2021) – Recognizing her as one of the most influential people shaping the future.

• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Distinguished Alumna Award (2021)

• Benjamin Franklin NextGen Award (2022) – Celebrating her leadership in biomedical research.

• Honorary Doctorates from several universities for her contributions to public health.
  

  Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett’s story is a reminder that science isn’t just about what happens in the lab—it’s about the people who dedicate their lives to making the world better.🦠 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT TIPS
STEM Career Growth Formula: What It Really Takes to Advance

Let’s talk about career growth in STEM—and why it’s NOT just about technical skills.

You can be the most talented engineer, scientist, or data analyst in the room, but if you only focus on your technical expertise, you might hit a ceiling sooner than you think.

So what does it really take to break through and level up? Here’s the STEM Career Growth Formula—the three key areas to focus on:

Leadership & Influence:  
- Moving up in STEM isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how well you lead.
- Leadership isn’t just for managers. Whether you’re leading a project, mentoring a junior colleague, or presenting ideas, developing influence is critical.
🎬Action Step: Start leading in small ways—volunteer for a project, mentor a colleague, or refine how you communicate your ideas

Communication & Visibility:  
- You might have great ideas, but if no one sees or understands your contributions, it’s hard to grow.
- Engineers, researchers, and data pros often undervalue the power of visibility. The people who move up are those who can articulate their value clearly.
🎬Action Step: Improve how you communicate. Work on storytelling in presentations, be vocal about your successes, and get active on LinkedIn.

Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen:
- Want to stand out? Learn to think beyond just execution and start making bigger-picture decisions.
- Leaders in STEM connect their work to business impact—understanding how their technical skills drive results.
🎬Action Step: Next time you work on a project, ask: How does this impact the business? How does this connect to industry trends?

💡Your Turn: Audit your career trajectory—where are you excelling, and where can you improve? Set one leadership goal for yourself this month and start taking action.

📩Hit reply and let me know—what’s the one area you’re focusing on in your career right now?

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
🧠 Adapt to the AI era by mastering these 5 critical soft skills.

🫂How to work with different personalities without losing your mind.

🤝Networking in College: Building Connections for Your Future

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It’s no secret that a college degree can lead to higher lifetime earnings. But your major can play a big role in your earning potential.