What Resources does the American Chemical Society Provide for Graduate Students?
The American Chemical Society has a long list of resources available to benefit graduate students and professional members. As a society dedicated to advocating for chemistry, supporting scientific innovation and advancing the field with research, conferences and financial assistance, the ACS has made a dramatic difference in the field. Some believe that they can only benefit from joining a professional society like this when they are leaders in the field, but that is not always the case. Here are some of the resources that you can use as a student member in pursuit of a Master's in Chemistry.
Assistance With Career Planning
You know you have a passion for chemistry, but do you know just what you would like to do when you earn your degree? The ACS maintains career planning tools that will help you prepare for life after you complete advanced curriculum and graduate. For example, if you would like to work in academia, there are specific tools and workshops that will show you just what steps need to be taken.
If you need help writing a resume, landing an interview, or polishing your marketing skills, there are resources for all of this. The ACS and its local chapters and affiliate organizations also hold meetings that allow students to increase networking abilities and contacts in order to pursue highly competitive positions.
Research Fellowship Opportunities
If you would like to work in a research setting, completing a fellowship will provide you invaluable experience. For grad students who are not sure where to start looking for opportunities, there is a long list of fellowship opportunities that can be accessed through the ACS website. The ACS maintains an extensive database and related tools to assist students in finding and securing a fellowship that will provide them experience in the field.
Access to Grants and Financial Aid
Attending grad school can get expensive. Not only do you have to cover the rising cost of tuition, you also have to pay for expensive science textbooks and materials required by professors. Student members of the American Chemical Society are eligible to apply and compete for ACS grants that will support professional development and ultimately the advancement of chemical sciences. In addition to society-specific grants, you can search for others from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
There is a need for professional societies that aide in the development of specific fields. In the scientific community, the ACS plays a crucial role in advocating for a science that can make a difference in everyone's life. Once you graduate, you will also be able to search for career opportunities that are available to degreed professionals with a passion for chemistry. Make sure to access journals and other publications as you do your graduate student research projects and take advantage of all of the benefits that a student membership with the American Chemical Society can provide.