A Ferris ICT Graduate Success Story

I graduated from Ferris State University with an A.A.S. degree in Industrial Chemistry Technology on December 14, 1996, and began working for Dow Chemical on December 16, 1996. Since my start date, I have been working in Heterogeneous Catalysis research as a technologist.

My original intention was to enter the school of Pharmacy at Ferris, but by the end of my first year of General Chemistry I had decided that I would rather work in a chemical field. After checking into the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering programs at Michigan State University, I decided that the ICT program was the right path. I am a single parent, so being able to provide for my daughter, with an Associate's degree, was the best option for me.

preferred to find work in Michigan so we would still be fairly close to my family. Dow Chemical's Central Research and Development Department (now Core R & D) was my first choice because of the salary, benefits, schedule and promotion opportunities. While at Ferris, I asked, and was given, a tour of Central Research by David Dellar, a Dow technologist who was then recruiting from Ferris.

Having a tour of a few labs was good preparation for an on-site interview. I was asked to interview with two different departments and decided that the Heterogeneous Catalysis Department was the best fit for my needs. My interview in Catalysis Research was a good experience in which the people were friendly, helpful and answered all my questions honestly. They did not interrogate me, but rather took the opportunity to show me their operations and answer my questions about the equipment and processes. The position would involve inorganic synthesis and reactor maintenance. My mechanical skills, at that time, were limited, but I was willing to learn and was reassured that I would be given the opportunity to learn. I was offered the job before I left the building and accepted on the spot.

At Dow, it is expected that training for a new position will take approximately a year. I began to feel comfortable with my responsibilities after about eight to twelve months. Although my primary responsibility is catalyst synthesis, I also feel that my duty as a technologist is to keep my area running smoothly. This involves ordering supplies, keeping in touch with maintenance and repair people, setting up new equipment as needed, learning new skills, etc. It is important to be able to see the need before it appears, or to find a way to solve a new or ongoing problem.

Teamwork is an important aspect in any position. While lab technique, attention to detail, and organizational and mechanical skills are very important, being a "people person" is also important. Social skills such as respect and communication will help a team to work more efficiently.

Like all Dow people, I take great pride in my work and always strive to improve my abilities. The class that had the greatest impact on my work was "Quantitative Analysis" where I learned the importance of good lab technique and attention to detail. Training in the ICT program is good preparation for a chemical lab position.