American Chemical Society

Vision 2025: Helping ACS Members Thrive in the Global Chemistry Enterprise

Dr. Zi-Ling (Ben) XueTask Force Member

Discussion with Multidisciplinary Program Planning Group

April 6, 2013

Presidential Task Force

Trends and Challenges

• Fewer chemistry jobs in the United States• Chemistry enterprise globalized• Chemical product commoditization• Persistent negative public perception towards chemicals

and the chemical industry• Disciplinary boundaries blurred• Budget deficits and demands on government finances,

which constrain investment in science and engineering• Continued population growth

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Areas of Task Force Recommendations

1. Broad Spectrum of Career Paths

2. Support Entrepreneurship

3. Advocacy Tools and Training

4. Supply and Demand of Chemists/Jobs

5. Collaborate with Chemical Societies Worldwide

6. Global Job Opportunities

7. Support for Chemists and Chemistry Communities Worldwide

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Recommendation # 1

Better educate ACS members about the critical elements necessary for success in a broad spectrum of career paths.

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1. Broad Spectrum of Career Paths

Existing ACS Activities• Career Management &

Development• CEPA• ACS Network “Your Profession”

Section• Professional Education• “ACS Careers” channel on

YouTube• Public Affairs Digital Services Unit

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Specific Activities ProposedA. Introduce Massive Online Open

CoursesB. Offer Web-based WorkshopsC. Empower Job Searches with VideoD. Broaden Curricula

Recommendation # 5

Collaborate with more chemical societies worldwide regarding public communication, education, advocacy, employment, and other issues of mutual interest.

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5. Collaborate with Chemical Societies Worldwide

Existing ACS Activities• International Activities Committee• International Chapters• ACS Awards• C&EN• PacificChem

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Specific Activities ProposedA. Encourage Growth of International

ChaptersB. Promote International Award

Awareness & New AwardsC. Support C&EN/Sister Society

Comment ExchangeD. Explore ACS-IUPAC MeetingsE. Discuss Global Collaboration at

Roundtable at Spring National Meeting

Recommendation # 7

Expand ACS support for chemists and chemistry communities worldwide.

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7. Support for Chemists and Chemistry Communities Worldwide

Existing ACS Activities• International Chapters• International Activities Committee• National and Regional Meetings• PacificChem• ACS Webinars• Visa Assistance to Meeting

Attendees

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Specific Activities ProposedA. Pay Dues in Home CurrenciesB. Encourage More International

ChaptersC. Promote Global Involvement of

Members via Technical DivisionsD. Explore Overseas Regional MeetingsE. Pilot Virtual International MeetingF. Increase Webinars of Global InterestG. Streamline Visas for Meeting

AttendeesH. Engage non-U.S. Nationals Studying

in the U.S.

Specifically Related to MPPG

• Collaborate with other national chemical societies around public communication, education, advocacy, chemical employment, and other topics of mutual interest.– Explore jointly sponsored ACS-IUPAC meetings.

• Expand ACS support for chemists and chemistry communities worldwide.– Encourage Technical Divisions to expand involvement of

international members (e.g., joint topical meetings, pilot grants for global programs, and jointly sponsored international meetings).

– Plan overseas “regional” meetings that build upon Pacifichem’s success.

– Hold a Virtual International Chemistry meeting.

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Actions Underway• ACS Spring Meeting, New Orleans, April 2013

– International Employment Initiative (IEI)– Vision 2025 Globalization Symposium and Global

Collaboration Roundtable Discussion

• ACS Fall Meeting, Indianapolis, Sept. 2013– Career Advancement Opportunities Symposium– Innovation and Entrepreneurship Symposium– Diversity Symposium

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Thanks to Vision 2025 Members

Globalization• H. N. Cheng – Co-Chair• Jens Breffke• Susan Butts• Mukund Chorghade • Peter Dorhout• Cyndie Maryanoff• Attila Pavlath• Al Ribes• Sonja Strah-Pleynet• Shaomeng Wang• Ben Xue

Jobs and Advocacy• Sadiq Shah – Co-Chair• James Chao• Pat Confalone• Dan Eustace• John Gavenonis• Jennifer Laurence• Zafra Lerman• Connie Murphy• Dorothy Phillips• Joel Shulman• Sharon Vercellotti

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Marinda Li Wu – 2013 ACS PresidentBob Rich – Staff Liaison

Your Ideas and suggestions?

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• Build on existing ACS activities, programs, products, and services

• Thank you for your participation and feedback!

Specifically Related to MPPG

• Collaborate with other national chemical societies around public communication, education, advocacy, chemical employment, and other topics of mutual interest.– Explore jointly sponsored ACS-IUPAC meetings.

• Expand ACS support for chemists and chemistry communities worldwide.– Encourage Technical Divisions to expand involvement of

international members (e.g., joint topical meetings, pilot grants for global programs, and jointly sponsored international meetings).

– Plan overseas “regional” meetings that build upon Pacifichem’s success.

– Hold a Virtual International Chemistry meeting.

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Backup slides for each recommendation

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Recommendation # 2

Create an ACS umbrella to support entrepreneurship.

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2. Support Entrepreneurship

Existing ACS Activities• Entrepreneurial Initiative

– Resource Center– Training Program– Advisory Board

• Entrepreneurial Showcase• Graduate Education Community

and Programs• Preparing for Life after Graduate

School• ACS Network “Chemical

Entrepreneurs” Group• Chemical Entrepreneurs’ Council

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Specific Activities ProposedA. Link ACS Entrepreneurs with

Venture Capital FundsB. Promote Entrepreneurial

Curriculum ContentC. Spread Entrepreneurial Thinking

and TrainingD. Change the Culture to Encourage

EntrepreneurshipE. Build an ACS “Brand” around

Entrepreneurship

Recommendation # 3

Engage and equip members with enhanced advocacy tools and training to improve business climate & promote job creation with legislators.

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3. Advocacy Tools and Training

Existing ACS Activities• Office of Public Affairs• Committees, including PA&PR• Chemistry Ambassadors• Local Section Government Affairs

Committees• Corporation Associates• ACS Business Climate Policy

Statement

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Specific Activities ProposedA. Spread Elevator Advocacy PitchB. Expand Local Section AdvocacyC. Grow State Advocacy EffortsD. Survey R&D Leaders on Advocacy

NeedsE. Promote Workforce EducationF. Discuss Advocacy Targets at

Roundtable and ElsewhereG. Engage Members to Advocate

Improving U.S. Business Climate

Recommendation # 4

Discuss with U.S. and global stakeholders the supply and demand of chemists/jobs to bring them to a better equilibrium. Consider a task force to look at options, including immigration-related issues.

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4. Supply and Demand of Chemists/Jobs

Existing ACS Activities• Committee on Professional

Training• Society Committee on Education• Graduate Education Advisory

Board• Committee on Economic &

Professional Affairs

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Specific Activities Proposed• Initiate Further Discussion on

Supply & Demand of Chemists & Jobs

• Focus on Building a Better Equilibrium

• May Include Immigration-Related Issues

Recommendation # 6

Provide information, resources, advice, and assistance to ACS members interested in global job opportunities.

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International Employment Initiative (IEI)

6. Global Job Opportunities

Existing ACS Activities• Committee on Economic &

Professional Affairs• International Activities Committee• Committee on Professional

Training• Discussions with Europe on

Approval of Programs

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Specific Activities ProposedA. Support the ACS International

Center LaunchB. Create Global Opportunities

National Meeting ThemeC. Provide Assistance with Overseas

AssignmentsD. Encourage Study AbroadE. Consider Certification of non-U.S.

University ProgramsF. Facilitate Worldwide Acceptance of

Courses and Degree Programs