Developing Your Career in the

Specialty Chemicals Industry

EVERYTHING is made from CHEMICALS!

Atoms Molecules Chemicals Products

Carbon is the Building Block for Organic Chemistry

•Natural Gas

•Coal

•Oil

•Plant Matter

Carbon Sources

•Oxygen

•Hydrogen

•Nitrogen

•Metals

•Halogens (Chlorine, Fluorine, Iodine, etc)

Carbon Reactions

•Polymers (Plastics)

•Medicines

•Agricultural Products

•Fuel

•Specialty Chemicals

•Electronics

Products

Why Chemistry?

Understand The World Around Us!

Cure DiseaseImprove Quality of Life

Feed The World

Ensure Clean Air and Water

Quest For Knowledge

The World is Changing:• Alternatives to Petroleum

– Energy and Feed-stocks– Chemists will solve these challenges

• Storage of Power– Metallic compounds

• Bio-based Commodities– Fermentation chemistry, biochemistry, carbohydrate

chemistry– Human cells conduct complex chemical reactions….

• Clean Agricultural compounds– Non-toxic to humans and the environment

ChemDesign Makes Products for Industrial Chemical Users in Many Different Markets

Polymers

• Plastics

• Adhesives

• Surfactants

• High Temperature Products

Agricultural Intermediates

• Pesticides

• Seed Protectants

Surfactants

• Catalysts

• Foams

Specialty Chemicals

• Polymer Additives

• Reagents

The Chemist Role

• Evaluate Chemistry – Development versus research– Literature, Lab Evaluation, Technical review

• Evaluate Safety and Environment– Toxicity, potential side reactions, understand reaction rates

• Analytical Analysis, Quality, Yield– Raw material quality, Reaction Progress, Final Material

Specifications

• Liaison With Customers• Technical Advisor for Technicians and Chemical

Operators• Problem solver and Trouble Shooter

ChemDesign Technical Staffing

• Chemists (BS Degree in Chemistry)– CEO, VP Sales and Marketing, Director Commercial

Development, Director of Operations, Director of Technology, R&D/QA/QC Manager, Senior Chemist, Lab tech

• MS/MA – Business– CEO, Directors

• Chemical Engineers (BS in Chemical Engineering)– Building manager, Commercial Development,

Engineering Manager, Senior Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Shift leader

Chemist Attributes

• Education background– PHD, BS, MS– Work Experience while in school, Side Jobs, Hobbies,

Memberships– Minor, Undergrad Work

• Work History– Field of expertise– Examples of Value creation, Leadership, Ownership thinking

• Interpersonal Skills– Teams, lead vs. follow, technical documentation,

understanding

• Understanding of Value, Business savvy

What makes a great Chemist?• Insight (ability to pull together a team)• Think on your feet• Business Understanding (ability to ask questions)• Offer solutions (Brainstorming)

– Fix, improve, better instruction- understanding. Have facts and be concise. Define what's really important.

• Follow through…lead the process to accomplish the goal• Observe, document, test, understand, define, map,

teach/train• Dedication and self direction...ownership thinking• Be Passionate…This is Fun!

Recipe for Success

• Whether you are a Doctor, Lawyer, Scientist, Business Executive, Teacher, or Social Worker - An understanding of the world is critical:– Do well in the education system. Understand and apply

concepts.– Ask questions– Challenge yourself– Strive to do more than just answer the question. Dig Deep.– Listen and learn from those around you.

• The best managers solve problems as a team with good people around them.

– Treat everyone with respect and professionalism.

Questions?