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EDITOR: GEORGE H. MORRISON EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St , N W Washington, D C 20036 Phone. 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220 151
Recruiting New Graduates
Executive Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Associate Editor: Barbara Cassatt Associate Editor: Easton: Elizabeth R. Rufe Assistant Editor: Stuart A. Borman Editorial Assistants: Jacquelyn Danes, Ann M. Ramish Production Manager: Leroy L. Corcoran Art Director: John V. Sinnett Copy Editor: Gail M. Mortenson Circulation: Cynthia G Smith Advisory Board: L. S. Birks, Donaid D. Bly, Peter Carr, Georges Guiochon, Kurt F. J. Heinrich, Bruce R . Kowalski, Robert A. Libby, Marvin Margoshes, Robert S. McDonald. James W. Mitchell, Royce W. Murray, Richard S. Nicholson, Garry A. Rechnitz, Walter Slavin, John P Walters Contributing Editor, Instrumentation: Andrew A. Husovsky Instrumentation Advisory Panel: Nelson L. Alpert, Stuart P. Cram, Catherine Fenseiau, Gary M. Hieftje, Tomas Hirschfeld. C. David Miller, Carter L Olson, Thomas H. Ridgway, Yair Talmi The Analytical Approach Advisory Panel: Edward C. Dunlop, Jeanette G. Grasselli, Robert A. Hofstader, Wilbur D. Shults Regulations. Analytical Division Ad Hoc Committee: Warren B. Crummett (Chairman). Fred Freeberg (Column Contributor) Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
Books and Journals Division Director: D. H. Michael Bowen Journals: Charles R. Bertsch Production: Elmer Pusey. Jr Research and Deveiopment: Seldon W Terrant
E a c h year a t about this time the annual ritual of recruiting and scslecting new Ph.D. candidates for their first job draws to a close. LVith regard to industrial a n d governmental laboratory recruitment, t h e process starts in Octolwr with interviews a t t h e universities, often conducted hy company scientists \Tho are alumni of t h e particular school. S t u d e n t s are generally invited for plant visits in mid-winter and offers are made to t h e successful applicants some time during t h e spring. T h e process of selecting new Ph.D.'s for academic positions. teaching, research, or both, can vary considerably from this method a n d will he reserved tor f u t u r e discussion. For t h e past few years t h e demand for graduates in a n d y t i c a l (,heinistry has heen particularly high. At t h e recent Pittsburgh Conf'erence more t h a n 660 j o h openings were listed, a n increase of more t h a n :325 ovm t h e previoiis year with 490 candidates applying. Similarly, a t t h e recent National ACS hleeting in Houston, 447 positions were posted by employer representatives. Positions in analytical chemistry and organic chemistry topped t h e list ivith approximately 1 8 Cin ~ each field. Recruitment of analytical chemists a t t h e universities has heen \'Pry strong a n d finishing s t u d e n t s are often confronted with a numher of jot) c'ft'ers. Since this is often their first encounter with t h e real world. students must make i n portant decisions based to a great extent on impressions gained during their plant visits. Important considerations include the nature ol'the position. tht, gc.ographic. location, and. more recently, job opportunities f'or t h e spouse. Since I recently discussed these experiences with a n u m b e r of graduating students. it is interesting t o present their views o f t h e recruiting process. T h e candidates find great variations i n style o f plant visits rangii-ig f'rom n t a l l organized plans of scheduled interviews with key personnel to situations in Lvhicti the relevant supervisors are unavailable for consultation. Hospitality ranges I'rom being met a t the airport and wined and dined throughout the visit t o cases ivhere t h e candidate is completely on his own. T h e treatment of' the candidate otniously is a n important factor in his overall impression of t h e laboratory aiid indicates how a n individual employee might he treated after employment. Most important, however, is t h e nature of t h e position being considered. Once again, t h e students find considerable differences during their visits. Some companies are looking for a candidate with a specific area of speciali;!ation while others a r e seeking people capable o f branching out t o new areas of' analstical chemistry. T h i s too reflects t h e philosophy of t h e company toivard future research a n d allocation of their scientific personnel. In t h e current atmosphere of a large demand for people with a limited supply of graduates, it is especially important for t h e prospective employer t o provide a strong positive impression t o attract young people ahoi.it to emhark on their chosen profession.
Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1980 issue, page 219. Manuscripts for publication ( 4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address. The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society.
ANALYTiCAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 52, NO. 7 , JUNE -1980
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