Anne “Liz” Ware – National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

2020 Careers in Science and Engineering Symposium (CaSES) Saturday, August 29, 2020BREAK OUT SESSION I: "EXPLORING STEM CAREER PATHS AND THEIR RELATED SKILLS"National Lab Research - Civilian

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About me…• Scientist• Graduated from UK/CAER and Concord University • Someone who has spent time in WV, KY, CO and

has collaborators all over the world• Loves family, being outside, exercise, cooking,

drawing, and growing things

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Liz’s education and STEM career

• B.S. Chemistry – Concord University, Athens, WV• REU- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA• REU- University of Kentucky, Center for Applied Energy Research

(advisor Mark Crocker), Lexington, KY• Ph.D. Chemistry – University of Kentucky, Center for Applied Energy

Research (advisor Mark Crocker), Lexington, KY• Postdoctoral Research – National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

Golden, CO• Researcher III– National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO• Devote volunteer time to STEM education/outreach

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What I wish I knew and what I did right without knowing it

• College – Diversity of chemistry jobs – being a chemist doesn’t mean pharmacy or hospitals!– Importance of networking – it’s true!– Programming and coding are so important!

• Graduate School– Leadership – seek to develop skills to lead groups– Grad school isn’t for everyone, and that’s great

• Postdoctoral research– Leadership – seek to develop skills to lead groups– Managing people – Big picture science is important– Engineering is everywhere– Being good at school does not equate to being good at work

• Life happens!– Births, deaths, and illness impact life and career trajectories

• Volunteering is rewarding and can help your career!

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Working for a National Lab

• Consortia!• Funding • Job security and pay• Roles, skills, positions and structure• Safety• Work atmosphere• Volunteer opportunities

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Questions to ask yourself and questions for people in STEM Careers

• The typical questions - What are you good at? What do you like to do? Can you make (enough) money doing these things? Do you have good and unique ideas, contributions, skills?

• What is your motivation for doing the type of science you want and how far (how much school and how far in your career) do you want to take it?

• Are you technically-minded? Creative? Do you like to use your hands? Do you like writing? Do you like interacting with people? Leadership skills?

• Do you have the resources you need to accomplish your goals?• Work-life balance expectations?

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Do you have questions? How can I help you?