Wednesday May 16, 2007

Three one-hour modules in the morning covering all aspects of managing an effective job search, followed by an all-afternoon resume-review workshop.

 

9:00 a.m. Job Searching Strategies.

This session first addresses employment trends and professional values (assessing yourself). Then, the process of networking is explored: who is your network, how to expand it, and lastly the benefits of informational interviewing.

 

10:00 a.m. Résumé Preparation for the Chemical Professional.

Your résumé is a personal introduction and leaves an impression.  Learn which personal data format is right for your “marketing plan,” and construct a winning résumé.

 

11:00 a.m Interviewing Skills for the Chemical Professional. 

Many job seekers think their work ends once an interview is secured.  Think again! This session will examine the interview process, types of interviews, frequently asked questions, and how to evaluate an offer.

 

1:00 – 5:00 pm.  Résumé Reviews / Individualized Career Assistance

A consultant will also be available to provide resume reviews and career assistance. Individual 30 minute resume reviews will be offered from 1:00 – 5:00 pm on (insert days and times).  Bring a copy of your resume.  Sign-up will be available at meeting registration.  These services are free and available to ACS members, national affiliates and student affiliates.

 

 

Meet the  workshop facilitator:

 

Dr. James Burke was a member of the ACS Board of Directors from 2000 through 2006. He was elected the Chair of the ACS Board of Directors for 2004, 2005 and 2006 and, in that role, also chaired the Board Executive Committee and the Board Planning Committee. He also served on the Board's Strategic Alliances Subcommittee, the Board Special Committee on Executive Compensation and the Professional & Member Relations Committee. With Immediate Past President E. Ann Nalley, he is co-chair of the Board-CPC Governance Review Task Force. He is also a member of the Society Committee on Budget and Finance (B&F), which he chaired during 2002-2003.

 

A past Chair of the Philadelphia Section ACS, Dr. Burke was an ACS Councilor for 1990-1998 and ex officio for 2000-2007. He chaired the ACS Council Committee on Local Section Activities during 1994-1995 and the ACS Council Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs during 1996-1998. He has been an ACS Career Consultant since 1990.

 

Dr. Burke received his B.S. degree in chemistry at Spring Hill College in 1961 and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1965 at the University of California at Berkeley, where he was a NSF Predoctoral Research Fellow. Before joining Rohm and Haas Company as a Senior Research Scientist in 1966, he was a NIH Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Columbia University. He retired in 2001 from Rohm and Haas as Manager of Technical Recruiting and University Relations, with responsibility for scientific and engineering recruiting for the company's U.S. locations and its university relations programs. Besides working in synthesis and product development research for seven years, he accumulated 25 years of experience in managing recruiting and career development programs. He has frequently lectured on these and related topics at numerous campuses, as well as at college placement association conferences and ACS meetings. 

 

Dr. Burke's awards include the Philadelphia Section ACS Salutes to Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), the ACS Division of Professional Relations Henry Hill Award (2000), the Philadelphia Section ACS Ullyot Award (1993), the National Association of Colleges and Employers Employer of the Year 2000 Award, Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers Honorary Life Member (2001) and the Big Brother Big Sister Association of Philadelphia's Charles Edwin Fox Award (1991). 

 

Jim and his wife Barbara reside in Glenside, PA. She is Vice Principal and Dean of Students at St. Basil Academy in Fox Chase, PA and also teaches History and World Cultures. Their four children are now adults avidly pursuing their careers.