YORK COLLEGE PROGRAM OFFERS STUDENTS JOB SECURITY
Posted January 31, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“When my career goals at my job shifted, I contacted many of the local industry members I had met through the CIAC program”
YORK, Pa. – Lisa Stojowski, of New Hyde Park, N.Y., came to college – like most college students – uncertain about her future. As a freshman in York College’s Chemistry Program, Stojowski realized she had the upper hand.
“The faculty opened my eyes to the numerous and diverse local companies involved in the Chemistry Program,” says Stojowski. “As a student I was able to see firsthand the various ways that I could put my chemistry background and eventual degree to work in the ‘real world’.”
The York College Chemistry Industry Advisory Council (CIAC), a partnership between the Chemistry Program and local industry, is the heart of the Chemistry Program. The CIAC not only provides a wealth of networking opportunities, but hands-on experience through various internship opportunities.
CIAC industry liaison and adjunct faculty member, Bill Glenwright, regularly meets with council members to determine the projects on which chemistry majors could assist local industry. Each semester, including the summer, chemistry faculty members decide which of the talented and hardworking chemistry majors have the best combination of skills to assist industry on these projects and then work with industry supervisors to define and structure semester-long internship projects.
CIAC member companies include Adhesives Research, Inc., Armstrong World Industries, Inc., B-H Labs, BiMax Corporation, Dentsply, EA Engineering, Exelon Nuclearm Gaussian Corporation, Glatfelter, Inc., Harley-Davidson, North Industrial Chemicals and Utz Qualitiy Foods.
"Each year the chemistry internships lead directly to employment," says Dr. David Kaplan, Physical Science Associate Professor and Chair. “About 20 to 25 percent of the graduates are offered post-graduate employment at the company where they completed an internship.”
After college, Stojowski took a job as a chemist in Maryland. The director chose her over other applicants because of the research studies and internships she participated in as a student.
“When my career goals at my job shifted, I contacted many of the local industry members I had met through the CIAC program,” says Stojowski. “I contacted the CIAC liaison at Adhesives Research and eventually secured my current position.”
Stojowski, a chemist at Adhesives Research who now lives in Dallastown, believes her current success can be attributed to the CIAC program and its unlimited opportunities.
The 4th Annual CIAC dinner will be held February 16, 2006, at the Country Club of York. From 5:00-6:30 p.m. chemistry students who have completed internship projects over the past year will present projects to members of the industry. Projects will be evaluated and prizes will be given. Dinner is served at 6:30, followed by the formal scientific presentation by an industry member.
“The dinner also serves as a ‘giving back’ to our industry members for all their hard work,” says Kaplan.
Stojowski previously attended the dinner as an alumnus.
“It was a great opportunity to speak with different industry members about their work and forge new professional relationships.”
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