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 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 varied program according to the interests and experiences of the mentees. The success of each mentoring day is a testament to the commitment of these companies to promoting the next generation of analytical chemists. Thank you for your support and implementation!

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 program in the form of a 'mentoring day' at Evonik Industries AG in Hanau. The day was well structured and organized, so that I was able to make contact with employees in various positions within the company and get to know the industrial culture and everyday work. Sufficient time was also provided for laboratory tours, discussions with employees and questions from me about the company, the structure, the department and typical entry opportunities. For me personally, it was a very good opportunity to get a detailed picture of what tasks await me if I decide to pursue this career path after my doctorate. Initiatives such as the DAAS mentoring program 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 or to make important contacts during their university career. Mentoring offers the chance to get a taste of the work of an analytical chemist for a day. An informal application can be sent to one of the members of the DAAS board at any time by email.