DAAS mentoring program

The German working group for Analytical Spectroscopy (DAAS) of the GDCh Division of Analytical Chemistry has been offering a mentoring program for young analytical chemists since 2017, providing 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 program thanks to the support of various companies in the field.

The one-day, one-on-one mentoring sessions were made possible in 2024 through the participation of Agilent Technologies (see photo), Shimadzu Deutschland GmbH, Merck KGaA, Evonik Industries, and Bayer AG, who created a diverse program tailored to the mentees' interests and experiences. The success of each mentoring day is a testament to these companies' commitment to nurturing the next generation of analytical chemists. Thank you for your support and implementation!

The success of the initiative can be assessed based on 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 participate in the DAAS mentoring program in the form of a 'Mentoring Day' at Evonik Industries AG in Hanau. The day was well structured and organized, allowing me to network with employees in various positions within the company and experience the industrial culture and day-to-day work. Sufficient time was also provided for laboratory tours, discussions with employees, and questions about the company, its structure, the department, and typical entry-level opportunities. For me personally, it was a very good opportunity to gain a detailed picture of what tasks await me if I choose this career path after my doctorate. Initiatives like the DAAS Mentoring Program for Students are crucial for gaining this insight." It should also be particularly mentioned that the contacts established through the mentoring subsequently led to a job offer in this case.

Many students typically don't have the opportunity to experience daily life and the demands of working in industry, nor to make important contacts, during their university careers. Mentoring offers the chance to get a taste of the work of an analytical chemist for a day. An informal application can be submitted at any time by email to a member of the DAAS board.