A twisting and turning career
In an ever-changing world, the need to adapt remains constant
They say chemistry is the central science. Indeed, as I’ve navigated through multiple career sectors with my lab coat on, reagents at the ready, the chemistry I’ve worked on has become a central part of my life – in more ways than one.
You might be familiar with stimuli-responsive materials from their use in glasses lenses that change colour with varying degrees of sunlight, or windows that dim when the user pushes a switch. Applying an external force to these materials alters the balance of equilibrium within their immediate environment, causing them to morph and adapt their molecular state. In the case of glasses and windows, that change alters their colours.
Looking back on my career to date, I suppose I’ve had to exhibit similar traits! External career forces have certainly altered my equilibrium, while moving across industries has challenged me to adapt, morph and form new skillsets in order to succeed within drastically different environments.