Dave Mielke, president of ChemDesign, provides insights on the career paths available in the specialty chemicals industry. Highlights include: an overview of the market, positions available, education needed and the skill set desired to work in the specialty chemicals industry.

1. Developing Your
Career in the
Specialty Chemicals
Industry

2. EVERYTHING is made from CHEMICALS!
Atoms Molecules Chemicals Products

3. Carbon is the Building Block for
Organic Chemistry
•Natural Gas
•Coal
•Oil
•Plant Matter
Carbon
Sources
•Oxygen
•Hydrogen
•Nitrogen
•Metals
•Halogens (Chlorine,
Fluorine, Iodine, etc)
Carbon
Reactions
•Polymers (Plastics)
•Medicines
•Agricultural Products
•Fuel
•Specialty Chemicals
•Electronics
Products

4. Why Chemistry?
Understand
The World
Around Us!
Cure Disease
Improve
Quality of
Life
Feed The
World
Ensure Clean
Air and
Water
Quest For
Knowledge

5. The World is Changing:
• Alternatives to Petroleum
– Energy and Feed-stocks
– Chemists will solve these challenges
• Storage of Power
– Metallic compounds
• Bio-based Commodities
– Fermentation chemistry, biochemistry, carbohydrate
chemistry
– Human cells conduct complex chemical reactions….
• Clean Agricultural compounds
– Non-toxic to humans and the environment

6. ChemDesign Makes Products for Industrial
Chemical Users in Many Different Markets
Polymers
•Plastics
•Adhesives
•Surfactants
•High Temperature
Products
Agricultural
Intermediates
•Pesticides
•Seed Protectants
Surfactants
•Catalysts
•Foams
Specialty
Chemicals
•Polymer Additives
•Reagents

7. The Chemist Role
• Evaluate Chemistry – Development versus research
– Literature, Lab Evaluation, Technical review
• Evaluate Safety and Environment
– Toxicity, potential side reactions, understand reaction rates
• Analytical Analysis, Quality, Yield
– Raw material quality, Reaction Progress, Final Material
Specifications
• Liaison With Customers
• Technical Advisor for Technicians and Chemical
Operators
• Problem solver and Trouble Shooter

8. ChemDesign Technical Staffing
• Chemists (BS Degree in Chemistry)
– CEO, VP Sales and Marketing, Director Commercial
Development, Director of Operations, Director of
Technology, R&D/QA/QC Manager, Senior Chemist,
Lab tech
• MS/MA – Business
– CEO, Directors
• Chemical Engineers (BS in Chemical Engineering)
– Building manager, Commercial Development,
Engineering Manager, Senior Process Engineer, Project
Engineer, Shift leader

9. Chemist Attributes
• Education background
– PHD, BS, MS
– Work Experience while in school, Side Jobs, Hobbies,
Memberships
– Minor, Undergrad Work
• Work History
– Field of expertise
– Examples of Value creation, Leadership, Ownership thinking
• Interpersonal Skills
– Teams, lead vs. follow, technical documentation,
understanding
• Understanding of Value, Business savvy

10. What makes a great Chemist?
• Insight (ability to pull together a team)
• Think on your feet
• Business Understanding (ability to ask questions)
• Offer solutions (Brainstorming)
– Fix, improve, better instruction- understanding. Have facts
and be concise. Define what's really important.
• Follow through…lead the process to accomplish the goal
• Observe, document, test, understand, define, map,
teach/train
• Dedication and self direction...ownership thinking
• Be Passionate…This is Fun!

11. Recipe for Success
• Whether you are a Doctor, Lawyer, Scientist, Business
Executive, Teacher, or Social Worker - An
understanding of the world is critical:
– Do well in the education system. Understand and apply
concepts.
– Ask questions
– Challenge yourself
– Strive to do more than just answer the question. Dig Deep.
– Listen and learn from those around you.
• The best managers solve problems as a team with good people
around them.
– Treat everyone with respect and professionalism.

12. Questions?