JUNE, 1951
WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT K. 1. PALMER Western Regional Research Laboratory, Albany, California
THEanswer to the question, "What should a chemist These qualities, and similar ones, I will take for granted, bring to his profession'?" depends upon the type of work he is expected to perform. For example, one would certainly not look for the same characteristics in a candidate for a routine position as compared to one in which the candidate is t o work as an assistant on a research project. Since my own experience has been concerned with research investigations in specialized fields of physics and physical chemistry, my remarks will be confined to the characteristics which I consider a chemist should possess if he is interested in working as a part of a research team. As my phase of the discussion is concerned only with candidates seeking employment in Government research laboratories, it is appropriate to mention that, to a large extent, the choice of candidates is made for us by the U. S. Civil Service Commission. This commission periodically gives examinations for the various professional grades. To be a candidate for a positionin a Government laboratory one has to pass such an examination successfully. I n general, a position must be filled by one of the three top candidates on the eligibility list. On this account, our choice of candidates for any given position is limited. Fortunately, there is a high degree of correlation between scholastic ability and other desirable characteristics; consequently in normal times it -can be anticipated with considerable assurance that those who make good grades in the Civil Service examination will also be well qualified in other respects. There are so many characteristics which are important that it is impossible to mention them all. The qualities of honesty, integrity, and loyalty, for example, are necessary characteristics for a chemist. '
and concern myself only with those which I think a research chemist should have, perhaps to a higher degree than required in many other fields of endeavor, if he is to be a success in his chosen profession. There are four that I consider most important. They are intellectual curiosity, initiative, the ability to cooperate with others, and enthusiasm for his work. I n addition, i t is preferable that he have good basic training in chemistry and also in physics and mathematics. All research chemists should possess these qualifications, a t least in some degree, regardless of whether they work in an academic institution, for industry, or for the Government. Any chemist who has developed these characteristics cannot help but be a success. New problems presented to him, as they surely will be in any live research organization, will be a challenge to him, and, because he is curious and likes to work a t his profession, he will soon make important contributions to the progress of the research project. Of the qualifications mentioned above, the abiIity to get along with people should not be underestimated. Research projects in Government laboratories are, almost without exception, attacked by research teams. This is necessary because of the difficult nature of the problems under investigation and the complexity of apparatus now used in a modern research laboratory. It is therefore essential that a chemist working in a Government laboratory be a person who can work well with others. It takes only one disgruntled member to block the output of the whole group. Although good basic training in chemistry is valuable, I think that in the long run, it is more important
336
t o possess the desire to learn, coupled with some initiative and the capacity for doing work. We have several examples a t the Western Regional Research Laboratory of people who started in Government service as subprofessionals, but who now hold important positions on our research staff. These men succeeded in spite of the fact that they originally lacked good basic training, mainly because they possess the qualifications under discussion. Any young chemist who has developed these same characteristics and has only an average scholastic rec-
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
ord is, in my opinion, a more promising candidate than one who does not possess these qualifications regardless of how well he did in his classroom work. I n general, of course, it turns out as one would expect; those with good scholastic records usually possess the other qualifications in the highest degree. In conclusion it can he stated that a chemist who enjoys using his intellect, applies himself, and cooperates with both his supervisors and co-workers, will not only be successful, but, in addition, will be an asset to his profession.
