VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE IN CHEMISTRY* MAETINV. McGILL,** LORAINHIGHSCHOOL, LORAIN,Orno
In some mysterious manner, many so-called new ideas have a way of creeping upon an unsuspecting public, although investigation may reveal that they are deeply rooted. Vocational guidance is one of the latest to thrust itself upon the American educational system. Vocational guidance was launched about twenty-five years ago by a lecture by Professor Frank Parsons of Boston on "The Ideal City." This lecture brought a request for him to address the graduating class of an evening high school on "The Choice of a Vocation." Many interviews followed and in January, 1908, the Boston Vocation Bureau was organized. To Dr. Parsons also goes the distinction of being author in 1909 of the first book-'Choosing aVocationn-on the subject. The first Conference on Vocational Guidance was called in Boston in 1910 by Superintendent Brooks of the Boston Public Schools. New York soon followed in this work and was host to the second Conference on Vocational Guidance in 1912. In 1918we find pre-vocational and continuation schools in existence and a long list of books and magazine articles on vocational guidance. By 1931 twenty-four national organizations were interested in a national vocational guidance program. The American Chemical Society was not among them. In the words of the Committee on Revision of the Principles of Vocational Guidance, Vocational guidance is the giving of infprmation, advice, and experience which will assist the individual in choosing an occupation, preparing for it, entering, and progressing in it. As preparation for an occupation involves decisions in the choice of studies, choice of curricula, and the choice of schools and colleges, i t becomes evident that educational guidance must be considered equally with vocational guidance. This committee seems safe and sane in outlining four principles which must underlie the successful development of vocational guidance: 1. Recognition of individual differences. 2. An appreciation of the complexity of modern occupational life. 3. The acknowledgment of the right of the individual to make his own choices. 4. The realization that the adjustment of an individual to his occupation is an ever-changing situation. Prior to 1877, there is little evidence that chemistry was recognized as a definite vocation, and so we find ourselves in a unique position, in
* P a ~ e rread before the Division of Chemical Education at the Buffalo meeting of the A. C. S., September, 1931. ** Chairman. Committee on Vocational Guidance, Division of Chemical Education.
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that we can claim chemistry as one of the oldest branches of the sciences and yet one of the youngest of the professions. A review of the literature has revealed practically nothing on "Chemistry as a Profession" prior to 1920. "Chemical Engineering as a Profession" made its appearance about 1924. A careful examination of the references to chemistry listed in the periodical reference guides reveals only about two dozen articles during the past four years which definitely concern chemistry or chemical engineering as a profession. It is interesting to note that our own JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION has published a large proportion of these articles. Needless to say there has been little vocational guidance as such in chemistry, although guidance-minded teachers have exerted and always will exert a most valuable service in this field to the relatively few individuals who come under their supervision. During the past year, in the course of a Sunday afternoon radio talk to young people, Dr. Daniel A. Poling, President of the Christian Endeavor Society, referred to information supplied by the American Chemical Society on "Chemistry as a Profession." Over thirty requests for this literature reached the seaetary of the Society. It turned out that an EDUCATION by Professor Alexander article in the JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL Silveman had been referred to. Through the kindness of the author, reprints were furnished. These letters included requests for specific information which, so far as I have been able to discover, is still generally unavailable. Yet these very questions p u s t arise in the mind of any person interested in chemistry as a career. The average book on "vocations" devotes small space to the subject of chemistry and its conventional statements are so hackneyed and uninspiring as to be of little real value. One book, however, deserves special mention. It is "Careers," published during 1931 by the Institute for Research. It contains twenty pages on chemistry and chemical engineering. Guidance counselors are also impressed with the worth of science histories and biographies. Far-reaching social, industrial, economic, and educational adjustments in American and world life are under way. It would be a waste of time even to summarize the conditions of the last ten years which have brought us face to face with the necessity for establishing a rational plan of guidance. A program of vocational guidance which embodies educational guidance is inevitable. As members of the American Chemical Society, we have a t our command the facts regarding chemistry as a profession which should be made available to the youth of today. We are under obligation to give facts, not theories; actual requisites, not generalities. The challenge of a sensible program of vocational guidance in chemistry is before us.
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References to Magazine Articles BAILEY,C. H., "The Training of Cereal Chemists," J. CHEM.EDUC., 4,766-9 (JULE. 1927). CROSSLEY, M. L.. "Training for the Profession of Chemistry." ibid.. 2, 667-9 (Aug., 1925). CURRIER, A. J., "Report of Committee on Preparation of High-School Chemistry Teachers," ibid., 8, 102-6 (Jan., 1931). ELLEY,H. W., "Training Chemists in Industry," ibid., 8, 2023 -30 (Oct., 1931); also in Am. Dyestuff Reptr.. 20, 355 (June, 1931). ERNST.H. A,, "A Study of the Need for Junior Laboratory Technicians i n the Chemical Industry of Essen County, N. J.," J. &EM. EDUC.,8 , 3 3 4 4 6 (Feb., 1931). B. W., "Present Status of Teacher Training in the United States," FRAZIER, ibd., 8, 63-83 (Jan., 1931). GORDON, N. E., "Qualifications of Chemxstry Teachers in Colleges and Universities," ibid., 8, 88-95 (Jan., 1931). GUILD,B. H., "ChemistryandVocational Guidance," ibid., 8, 13534 (July, 1931). Ha. C. J.. "A Personal Study of Chemists in the United States." ibid., 4, 48!&96 (Apr., 1927). HOPKINS.B. S., "The Training of Teachers in Service," ibrd., 8, 95-102 (Jan., 1931).
KIRKPATRICK, S. D., "Chemical Engineering, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow,"
Chem. & Met.. 38, 2 3 (Jan., 1931). KNIGHT,H. G., "Training in Chemistry to Meet the Needs of the Present Agricultural Situation," J. CHEM.EDUC.,6, 886-93 (May, 1929). S. T . , "Training Chemists for the Industries," ibid., KRAUS,C. A,, AND ARNOLD, 6, 852-7 (May, 1.929). AND OTHERS,"Selecting the Chemisi Elect, Symposium." ibid., 7, 530LANGMIJIR 41 (Mar., 1930). MANUEL,W. A,. "Student Guidance, I. The Selection and Sequence of Courses Outside the Major Field," ibid., 8, 294-6 (Feb., 1931). MILLS,J. E., "Educational Requirements for Teachers of Chemistry in Secondary Schools," ibid.,7, 2259-66 (Oct., 1930). NORRIS,J. F., "Chemistry as a Life Work," ibid., 4, 1399405 (Nov., 1927). OLSEN,J. C., "Chemical Engineering as a Profession," ibid.. 8, 1600-12 (Aug., 1931); also Chem. & Met., 38,278 (May, 1931). ROSE,G. B., AND R. E., "The Preparation of Plant Routine Chemists and continuation Education," J. CHEM.EDUC.,4, 1364-75 (Nov., 1927). SCHWARTZ, A,, "Chemistry as Material in Vocational Adjustment.'' ibid., 4, 973-5 (Aug., 1927). W., "Qualifications of Chemistry Teachers in Secondary Schwls," SEGERBLOM, ibid., 8, 83-8 (Jan., 1931). SnrPLEY, J. W., "Chemistry as a Profession," Can. Chem. & Met., 13, 48 (Feb., 1929). SILVERMAN, J. A,, "The Chemistry Profession: Preparation, Opportunities," J. &EM. EDUC.,4, 479-88 (Apr., 1927). "Systems of Chemical Engineering Education," Ind. Eng. Chem., 18, 975 (Sept., 1926). WHITNEY,W. R., "Chemical Engineering as a Vocation," Chemicals, June 30, 1930; Pamphlet, State Education Department, New York State University. WORK,L. T., "Chemical Training for Power Plant Engineers," J. CHEM.EDUC., 7, 316-20 (Feb., 1930).
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References to Books DAVIS,F. G.,"Guidamefor Youth," Ginn and Co., New York City, 1928. (Chemi s e - 2 pp.) ERNST.CLAYTON H. (Edited by), "What Shall I Be?" D. Appleton and Co., New York City. 1930. (Chemistry--18 pp.) PROCTOR, W. M., "Vocations," The Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1929. (Chemistry-3 pp.) WATSON,EDNAE., "Source Book for Vocational Guidance," H. W. Wilson Co., New York City, 1930. (Chemistry-3 pp.) "Careers," Institute for Research, Chicago, 1931. (Chemistry and Chemical Engineering as a C a r e e r 4 0 pp.) "The Choice of an Occupation," Department of Personnel Study, Yale University, New Haven, 1929. (Chemical Engineering-2 pp.) "Training for the Professions and Allied Occupations," Bureau of Vocational Information. 1924. (Chemistry-2 pp.) (Bureau now discontinued.) "Women in Chemistry," Bureau of Vocational Information, 1922. (Bureau now discontinued.)
