Sergio Nanita chats about being a career consultant

Sergio Nanita began working as an industrial mass spectrometrist after earning a PhD in analytical chemistry from Purdue University in 2005. He spent 15 years at DuPont supporting the agrochemical, nutrition, and specialty chemical markets. Today he is a research fellow at Incyte. “I am a mass spectrometrist, and I lead structure elucidation efforts for the small molecules within the portfolio of drug candidates at Incyte,” he says. The fast pace of an industrial career suits him, he explains. “Within a few years, you can see the impact of your work in the marketplace and on the public.”

Nanita joined the American Chemical Society Career Consultants program in January 2019, and since then he has provided career advice to ACS members between other volunteer assignments. Nanita recently spoke with Nina Notman about this role and the benefits of volunteering. This interview was edited for length and clarity.

What does being an ACS career consultant involve?

There are more than 100 ACS career consultants. We provide one-on-one career planning consultations, résumé reviews, and practice interviews. Many of those we see are students getting ready to launch their careers. We often encounter ACS members who have been laid off and are seeking employment in an urgent manner. Others seek a one-on-one consultation because they want to pivot in their career and get an idea of what else is out there. We also see proactive members who are thinking a year or two ahead in terms of strategic moves that they can make to maximize their contributions to chemistry and society, while improving their happiness.

What happens in a one-on-one career consultation?

At the beginning of a consultation, I explain that I’m going to share my knowledge so they can make well-informed decisions. Depending on their needs, I tell them what to expect in an interview and what is expected on a résumé, or I provide examples of career paths and choices available. We also talk about pros and cons of different options. I often guide them through dialogue to find what lights a spark in them and then tailor my input accordingly.

How did you become an ACS career consultant?

I was encouraged to participate by other career consultants. The program is so successful that it often needs new volunteers to expand and provide consultants with different backgrounds and experiences. I received training at the ACS Leadership Institute in January 2019 and then immediately started practicing as a volunteer career consultant.

How much time do you devote to your ACS career consultant role?

I do a dozen or so in-person one-on-one consultations at the career fairs at the ACS Spring and Fall meetings and a couple of virtual consultations per month. Most of my consultations are one-off conversations, but one follow-up meeting is not uncommon. Career consultants need to stay up to date so that the program offers a consistent product. I just had a refresher career consultant training at the ACS Spring 2025 meeting in San Diego.

Have you always been interested in volunteering?

My first experience of volunteering was with the ACS student chapter at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, in 1998. After graduate school, I volunteered with the ACS Philadelphia Section, and since then I have had a number of local sectional, divisional, and national committee roles. The ACS Committee on International Activities was my longest committee assignment: I served there from 2016 until 2023. Currently, I support the Committee on Corporation Associates; I am a member of the Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs; and I serve as a councilor for the Delaware Section.

What benefits do you get from volunteering with ACS?

Fulfillment is an important component; I get satisfaction from giving back to the profession and helping other chemists. I have also grown as a professional tremendously through my voluntary roles at ACS. I have obtained leadership skills that I wouldn’t have gained otherwise, and I've done so in an environment where my covolunteers over 2 decades now have become my friends. In addition, the network I have built through my volunteer work is just incredible.

How can others get the most out of volunteering?

Make it a long-term commitment. I often tell people that I have two careers: I have my private-sector industry career as a chemist, and I have my ACS volunteer journey. I work to advance and progress in both. When you volunteer for 1 or 2 years, you are just getting your feet wet. But when you do it continuously for 10 or 15 years, the returns will come out of the blue and will do something magnificent for your career.