The German Working Group for Analytical Spectroscopy (DAAS) of the GDCh Division of Analytical Chemistry has been offering a mentoring programme for young analytical chemists since 2017, which offers valuable opportunities for students to gain insights into the daily work of an analytical chemist in industry. In 2024, five students had the opportunity to participate in this programme, thanks to the support of various companies in the field.
The one-day 1:1 mentoring was made possible in 2024 by the participation of Agilent Technologies (see photo), Shimadzu Deutschland GmbH, Merck KGaA, Evonik Industries and Bayer AG, who created a colourful programme according to the interests and experiences of the mentees. The success of each mentoring day is a testament to these companies' commitment to supporting the next generation of analytical chemists. Thank you very much for the support and realisation!
The success of the initiative can be judged by the consistently positive feedback from the students. We would like to let one of the participants speak for himself (Michalis Chronakis): "At the beginning of this year, I had the opportunity to take part in the DAAS mentoring programme in the form of a 'mentoring day' at Evonik Industries AG in Hanau. The day was well structured and organised so that I was able to make contacts with employees in various positions within the company and get to know the industrial culture as well as the day-to-day work. Sufficient time was also provided for lab tours, discussions with employees and questions from me about the company, structure, department and typical entry opportunities. For me personally, it was a very good opportunity to get a detailed picture of the tasks that await me if I decide to pursue this career path after my doctorate. Initiatives such as the DAAS mentoring programme for students are crucial for this insight." It should also be mentioned in particular that the contacts made through the mentoring in this case subsequently led to a job offer.
Many students do not normally have the opportunity to experience daily life and the demands of working in industry as part of their university career and to make important contacts. Mentoring offers the chance to spend a day getting a taste of the work of an analytical chemist. An informal application can be sent at any time by e-mail to one of the members of the DAAS Board of Directors.