March 2023 Spotlight: Owen Grimm
Owen Grimm, PhD, Analytical Chemist at DuPont, has been involved in the Northeast Section of Younger Chemist Committee (NSYCC) for the past two years (~1 ½ years as Treasurer and ~1/2 year as Chair-Elect).
In this Member Volunteer Spotlight, learn more how Owen became involved in volunteering as part of NSYCC, opportunities for mentorship, and advice to others interested in volunteering with NSYCC.
How did you become involved in this volunteer opportunity / position (including details regarding application / interview process if applicable)?
I defended my PhD dissertation and graduated in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic lockdowns when no one was hiring. Volunteering is a great way to make professional connections, and I honestly needed a distraction from filling out applications. I began helping out with NSYCC events in early 2021. The NSYCC executive board has elections once a year, when any chemist or chemistry student under 35 can apply by submitting a short essay, followed by a round of voting. I was elected to the position of Treasurer in 2021, and reelected in 2022 and also winning the position of Chair-Elect, which means I will take over as chair in 2023.
For this volunteer opportunity / position did you have a mentor and/or do you serve as a mentor to others participants in this program?
Lipin Ji, the current NSYCC chair – see January 2023 Member Spotlight, has been showing me what it takes to lead our committee and I consider him to be my mentor.
What has been the most rewarding / exciting component of this volunteer opportunity / position?
I have been able to make many more connections to other chemists that I would not have normally. Additionally, we put on many of the sorts of events that helped me reach my current position, and it is rewarding to help soon-to-graduate students decide what to do after they get their degree.
What advice would you give to other individuals considering this volunteer opportunity / position?
If you are an undergrad, graduate, or early career chemist, feel free to reach out to info@nsycc.org with any questions. We can always use help organizing our bigger events, and around June is when our executive board elections usually happen. Join our email list and get involved!
