Working on Job Creation

In addition to its many valued career services and professional development programs, the Society held its first Virtual Career Fair in November. More than 2,600 people registered for the event, which featured 27 exhibitors, 109 recruiters and had 196 job openings available. Job seekers made more than 10,000 visits to employer booths to discuss these open positions. Exhibitors and job seekers initiated more than 1,400 real-time chats and exchanged more than 600 emails. This virtual event also offered six online Webinars, which attracted nearly 1,900 participants. Additional Career Webinars are now available online weekly. ACS also began offering members guidelines and tips on how to set up  job clubs for unemployed or underemployed chemical professionals in their communities.

In addition, ACS President Joseph S. Francisco assembled a Presidential Task Force on Innovation in the Chemical Enterprise: New Technologies for Society; New Jobs for Chemists. This task force, led by Dr. George Whitesides of Harvard University, is developing a plan and creating a roadmap for how new job opportunities can be created through entrepreneurship and how ACS might support this new concept. Their report will be completed in early 2011.

In December, the ACS Board of Directors adopted the 2011-2012 ACS Public Policy Priorities that continue the Society’s focus on creating opportunity through scientific innovation. The Board also adopted a new policy statement focused on strengthening the U.S. business climate through policies that impact tax and trade, intellectual property, technology transfer and commercialization, small business, and entrepreneurship. Along with continuing ACS statements on research and technology development and science education, the new statement will guide our efforts as we advocate for the chemistry enterprise with members of Congress and other public officials.