Invited Guests Share Advice and Encouragement at WTHS Science Career Symposium
In addition to exceling in science and math and having a desire to flourish in a science-related field, there are many qualities, both tangible and intangible, that will lead to success in a scientific career. Four invited guests - Dr. Katelyn Courtney, Vincent Rice, Joseph Conte and Connor Hornibrook – offered insights on these qualities during a Science Career Symposium hosted by the Washington Township High Science League on February 15, 2019. The audience of mostly juniors and seniors were encouraged to be curious and flexible, stay current and resourceful, to network, ask questions and persevere.
“Take a deep breath. Get the help you need. Asks questions,” advised Rice, “and you can get to the career that you want.”
Courtney, a 2007 WTHS graduate and emergency medicine resident physician at Rowan University/Jefferson Health New Jersey, provided an overview of her educational background and varied experiences on her path to becoming a physician. The emergency room, she decided, is a good fit for her.
“I like the changing atmosphere that the emergency room offers, where I typically see 25-30 patients during one 12-hour shift,” she said. “It can be stressful, but it is never stagnant, and I have a daily opportunity to use my knowledge and skills to save and impact lives. It is the best fit for me personally.”
Rice, a senior mechanical engineer at Lockheed Martin, has worked most recently with stress/dynamic analysis and materials and processing of various materials and systems for Department of Defense space-related projects.
“I always dreamt of being an astronaut or an inventor,” he said. “My current position allows me to work with state-of-the-art materials and processing on a day-to-day basis. I encourage you all to ask for challenging tasks and find a mentor who can help you get where you want to go.”
Conte, a senior scientist at Campbell Soup Company, has been working in analytical food chemistry in laboratory analysis and method development for 26 years. He shared growing trends in his field, including the emergence of green chemistry and the production of gluten-free foods.
“The food and beverage industry is huge, and there are a lot of opportunities for scientists of all kinds,” he said. “There are specialized branches that deal with the dairy industry, frozen food, cereals, nutrition, and agriculture, among others. Laboratory analysis is so important as it relates to government regulations and controls and the development of food products.”
Connor Hornibrook, a 2012 WTHS graduate, now works as an information systems development and management analyst at Rowan University after majoring in geographic information science at the school. He previously worked as an analyst and applications developer with the Philadelphia police and water departments.
“I decided that I wanted to be a computer scientist who could also make maps, rather than the other way around,” Hornibrook said. “I have spent a lot of time translating old codes and developing new codes that have practical applications and implications.”
WTHS graduate Dr. Katelyn Courtney shared her path to a career in medicine and her experiences as an emergency room resident physician.
Campbell Soup senior scientists Joe Conte encouraged students to think outside the box when considering STEM-related career paths.