Always ask questions when you do not understand! Whether in class or in a private meeting with your professor, your confusion must be addressed as soon as possible! Information within any chemistry class is cumulative, so if you do not understand something in the first week of school, that lack of understanding will prevent you from learning for the rest of the semester or even for the rest of your chemistry education.
Hometown:Niles, Ohio
Major:Chemistry
David Keifer '11
Why did you choose to pursue your degree?
Chemistry is one of the few fields of study that allows one to see the truth of existence! I am very interested in existence, so it is natural for me to love chemistry. Most subjects are devoted to the study of humanity in one way or another, and while chemistry can be studied within the context of human life, it explains far more about the universe than simply the workings of humanity. The truth is that while I am quite interested in my species, I am far more interested in attempting to understand the makeup and the workings of my surroundings, and few studies can help me to understand that as well as chemistry can.
What types of jobs are available for students who share your major?
A chemistry major has a tremendous variety of jobs available after graduation. Most commonly, chemistry majors pursue careers ranging from environmental advisors to industrial researchers to medical doctors to teachers. There are far too many jobs to list comprehensively here, but it is assured that a chemistry major will not have a difficult time finding employment!
How will you use your degree upon graduation?
I plan on matriculating to a graduate school to further my knowledge of physical chemistry after obtaining my degree here. From there, I plan on earning a doctoral degree and becoming a chemistry professor at a university where my research opportunities are as limitless as possible. To my knowledge, there is no better option for one who wants to learn as adamantly I want to learn!
What activities are you involved in?
I’m involved in the American Chemical Society; I was a coordinator for Emerging Leaders fall semester, and I’m the vice president of the Scholastic Achievement Coalition, the only coalition on campus! I am also a member of Honors in the Major Program.
What elements should a person possess in order to succeed in your major?
Most importantly, a person should be inquisitive. Understanding chemistry is an extremely demanding endeavor, and if one does not have a passion to learn chemistry, then one will probably not learn it. A person should be confident. It is easy to be overwhelmed in this task if one is not prepared for challenges. A person should have an open mind. As scientists, chemists must fit the theory to the data. If research is evincing that a previously believed theory is incorrect, then a chemist must be willing to alter or abolish the theory. As Darwin said, “To kill an error is as good a service as, and sometimes even better than, the establishing of a new truth or fact.”
