I have completed my first
week at my new “real”, full-time job! I can no longer follow my natural
bat-like schedule, and I now rise with (actually before) the sun and go to bed
by 10:00pm. I feel like an old person!
I am now working as a lab
“intern” in the R&D lab of a local chemical company, the Shepherd Chemical
Company. I will be working with inorganic and carboxylate metal chemicals. I’ll
be learning more about my responsibilities next week, but I do know that I’ll
be running experiments and taking chemical inventory of the lab. The first
three days I went through general training with two new chemical engineering
co-op students who are in college. There are several other engineering co-ops
working near my lab, so hopefully I’ll be able to get to know them a bit
better, although it might be a bit hard since my desk is in my lab and not in
their “cubicle” area. They are the closest people to my age who I’ve met so
far, so I do hope I’ll be able to talk with them more!
I’m definitely the “odd one
out” at work. Everyone has been quite intrigued when they learn that I am a
Zoology major and study bats. One of the ladies who came in to speak with us
during training said (after I introduced myself), “Word has gotten around that
we have a zoologist with us now!” I’m not used to being in an environment where
I stand out due to my background!
During training we watched
several safety DVDs, learned about the history of the company and the products
it makes, walked around the chemical plant, got fit tested for respirators
(both half and full face), and learned how to access the computer system. We
received binders full of information, which I asked if I was allowed to take
home to read. The trainer looked at me in a kind of surprised way and said I
could read it at work and get paid to read it if I wanted, but that I could
take it home if I wanted. I realized then just how unaccustomed I am to a
regular 9-to-5 type job. It’s such a foreign concept to me to NOT work at home.
I’ve always worked at home, whether it was during high school, college, or on
my Fulbright in Australia.
I’d rather read the binder at home and go into work next week prepared than
spend time at work to read it. To not do that seems “wrong”. I’m not sure if
I’ll ever get used to that way of doing things...
Despite the fact that
chemistry is not my area of expertise, I am looking forward to starting my lab
work next week and meeting the other R&D folks. It should be interesting!
I have also begun training to
volunteer at the Cincinnati Zoo as a Volunteer Educator and with the CREW (Conservation
and Research of Endangered Wildlife) department. Every Saturday for the next
month I’ll be attending training sessions, and will eventually be interacting
with zoo visitors to educate them about the animals. I also hope to get
involved with CREW. I’m really excited to get involved with the zoo again. I
volunteered and then worked there through high school, so it will be great to
get back. That way I’ll be able to continue my work with animals and
conservation while working as a chemist!
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