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Mary C. Okorie became an educator after graduating with a PhD in chemistry from Seton Hall University in 2023. She recently took up her first high school chemistry teacher post, at Golda Och Academy in West Orange, New Jersey. “I am looking forward to having the opportunity to make chemistry fun and enjoyable for my students . . . and hopefully open their eyes to a field that some may find intimidating or challenging,” she says.
Since late 2021, Okorie has championed early-career chemists in the American Chemical Society’s North Jersey Section as cochair of its newly re-formed Younger Chemists Committee (YCC). She recently spoke with Nina Notman about what the role entails. This interview was edited for length and clarity.
▸ Current location: Maplewood, New Jersey
▸ Current job title: Chemistry teacher, Golda Och Academy
▸ Current volunteer role: Cochair, Younger Chemists Committee, North Jersey Section
▸ Favorite molecule: Zinc
Can you elaborate on the purpose of the local section YCCs?
The purpose is to provide early-career chemists with opportunities that can help them develop professionally and personally, and to connect them with further opportunities. YCC members can be at any stage of their career from undergrad to a little bit past completing their postdoc.
What type of activities does your YCC organize for early-career scientists?
We have a seminar series where we invite speakers from industry to talk about their career path. We also collaborate on other opportunities within our local section. This includes supporting outreach during Chemists Celebrate Earth Week and the Thomas Edison laboratory’s yearly street fair.
What does being a chair of a local section YCC involve?
It involves organizing events, promoting the YCC at local universities and colleges, and attending monthly executive meetings within our local section. We also helped co-organize a YCC component within MARM 2023 (the Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting).
Why do you think others should consider volunteering to be a YCC chair?
You get to meet like-minded people who also have an interest in promoting the next generation of chemists. It’s a good way to bring yourself out of your comfort zone and build your network and networking skills. Attending the ACS spring and fall meetings allows you to see YCC on the national level and to participate in discussions about what can be done to support early-career chemists.
How has being involved with YCC helped you grow your professional network?
Prior to getting involved with the ACS and YCC, my network was pretty small. But now, when I need something, I know someone to reach out to. I always try to emphasize to university students, that volunteering with ACS, and especially YCC, is very helpful. I say, “You may think you have a network, but you don’t realize how big of a network you could actually get if you get involved in volunteering.”
You won your local section’s 2024 Outreach Volunteer of the Year Award. What do you enjoy most about doing outreach?
I enjoy trying to find a better way to communicate complex science to children. When you’re in a PhD program and you are asked to express your research to a technical and nontechnical audience, it’s always with adults in mind. With children, you often have to bring the explanation down further to meet their level.
Have you always been interested in volunteering?
Yes. It’s a passion of mine. I’ve always volunteered: at high school, as an undergrad, where I worship. I recently became a newsletter editor for our local section too.
Nina Notman is a freelance writer based in Salisbury, England.
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