A lot of us strive for perfection as we push forward in our schooling and careers. For me, I was never happy with how I scored on standardized tests or that I didn’t graduate with a perfect GPA. I thought it was the end of my career before it even began. I think it is easy to dwell on these situations or get caught in a negative feedback loop about how you wish you’d done something differently. You cannot fix the past; it is better to figure out what is a mistake, then learn from them and move forward. If you can learn to laugh at yourself a bit and not be so hard on yourself for something that is innately human, everything is much easier.
My parents supported my curiosity and drive to learn everything I could about the world around me. My middle-school and high-school science teachers picked up where my parents left off. They were all amazing women who helped support my interests, including after-school chemistry experiments or presentation preparations for science-fair projects.
My responsibilities vary, but they have one thing in common: Something is not working the way we want it to, and we need to fix it and/or improve it. I am constantly interfacing with a broader team of experts, and together we evaluate new materials or processes for the next generation of semiconductor technology. Some days I am running experiments; some days I am evaluating data; and some days I am training other scientists and engineers.My biggest obstacle was graduate school. It’s a daunting commitment to spend an additional five years of your life in school, especially in your mid-20s, learning to become an expert in your field of study. There was a lot of self-doubt, stress, and questioning as I completed my work. There always seemed to be an easier path if I walked away. The most difficult part was working through these personal challenges and continuing the journey. If I had chosen a different path, I would not have gained the confidence I have today.
When looking for career advice and support, there are a lot of negative opinions disguised as advice, and it can be difficult to figure out a way forward. You should be in the driver’s seat when it comes to your career, not a passenger. You know best what feels right and what is the wrong move for you. Don’t feel obligated to follow advice that clashes with your goals because it came from a well-known professor, scientist/engineer, or entrepreneur. Instead, seek out mentors who support you—people who want to work with you—so you can achieve your goals.
Jennifer Church
Advisory Engineer, International Business Machines (IBM)
Born in United States / Resides in United States
Educational Background: BS in Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst; PhD in Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, United States
