4
Foreign-born chemists ponder career prospects Be smart, adapt, and be committed. That was the major message emerging from a symposium on the professional develop- ment of foreign-born chemical scientists at the ACS national meeting in San Fran- cisco. The well-attended, all-day gather- ing was cosponsored by the Division of Professional Relations and the Chinese American Chemical Society. The presentations also brought out some of the hard statistics on the impor- tance of the foreign-born scientist to U.S. science today. For instance, 39% of all Ph.D.s in physical science granted in the U.S. in 1990 went to noncitizens. This in- cluded 51% of the Ph.D.s in mathematics and 29% of the chemistry doctorates. The strongest message for the for- eign-born scientists from symposium speakers was that they can develop re- warding careers in science in this coun- try. But they should expect to work at least twice as hard as their native-born colleagues to do so. Most of the statistics came from Cor- inne A. Marasco, who works for ACS's office of professional services. Quoting from National Research Council data, she pointed out that the number of physical science doctorates awarded to foreigners rose from 962 in 1980, 23% of the total number of physical science doctorates, to 2315 in 1990, 39% of the total. The bulk of the increase came from temporary visa holders, as op- posed to those with permanent resi- dent status. Marasco also pointed out that tempo- rary visa holders are not eligible to ac- cept jobs in the U.S. But 53% of 1990 physical science doctorates, including 77% of 1990 chemistry doctorates, planned to stay in the U.S. for further study. Addressing the more personal side of the foreign-born experience in U.S. sci- ence, two members of the ACS Board of Directors recalled their experiences after leaving their native lands as young men. Ernest L. Eliel left Germany just before World War II and Attila Ε. Pavlath left Hungary during the 1956 uprising. Eliel explained that, partly because of U.S. immigration policies then, he spent time in Scotland, Canada, and Cuba be- fore entering the U.S. in 1946. He point- ed to the generally informal, friendly, and generous approach of Americans and how this helps immigrants. In Eliel· s opinion, the foreign-born can succeed in science in the U.S. if they work hard and are flexible and en- terprising. He has two specific pieces of advice: Don't worry about having an accent, and be careful with the sarcastic humor, which Europeans seem to like but which can readily be misunder- stood in the U.S. After leaving Hungary, Pavlath spent time in refugee camps in both Austria and Canada, where he says he was very well treated, before moving to Califor- nia. He stated that he has experienced no prejudice in California, where he still lives and works. At the symposium he stressed that anything is possible in the Support groups aim to help the foreign-born chemist The Chinese American Chemical Soci- ety (CACS) and the Iranian American Chemists Association are two exam- ples of efforts by foreign-born chem- ists to develop support mechanisms. Both organizations are designed to help immigrants and naturalized citi- zens with career counseling, to pro- vide a forum for the exchange of ca- reer experiences, to promote fellow- ship, and to maintain a basis for networking. An additional task of the Iranian group is to try to help dis- pel the anti-Iranian attitude preva- lent in the U.S. in recent years. Neither group is formally associated with the American Chemical Society, but both hold their meetings and so- cial events during ACS national meet- ings. CACS has cooperated with ACS on a number of projects. In addition to cosponsoring the symposium, Profes- sional Development of Foreign-Born Chemical Scientists, at the recent ACS national meeting in San Francisco, it has assisted ACS in designing a na- tional survey of Asian chemists and is now helping to develop a guide to em- ployment for foreign-born students. CACS was founded in 1981 and now has about 400 members. The Ira- nian group, now about 250 strong, was founded during the ACS nation- al meeting in Boston in April 1990. Organic Intermediates for pharmaceuticals, agrochemi- cals, dyestuffs, flavors, fragrances, photocnemicals, etc. 5-Nitroisophthalic COOH acid JDL and derivatives 0 2 N^V^COOH COOH 4-Nitro-m-toluic acid φ* and other isomers ^Y^CH 3 N0 2 Dodecylaniline (isomer mixture) 5-Amino-2-nitro- benzoic acid 5-Amino-o-cresol NH2 4 C12H25 COOH N0 2 H 2 N H 2 N OH CH 3 ISDN Isosorbide dinitrate i mixtures with lactose ( etcUSPXXI ON0 2 "•CO ON0 2 • Custom synthesis • Nitration • Catalytic hydrogénation US-Agents: Henley Chemicals, Inc. 50, Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale Ν J 07645, Phone (201) 307-0422 Fax (201) 307-0424 A120.2.510 £MS EMS-DOTTIKON AG CH-5605 Dottikon, Switzerland Phone 057 2611 55 Telex 827 923, Telefax 057 24 21 20 JUNE 1,1992 C&EN 35

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Foreign-born chemists ponder career prospects Be smart, adapt, and be committed. That was the major message emerging from a symposium on the professional develop­ment of foreign-born chemical scientists at the ACS national meeting in San Fran­cisco. The well-attended, all-day gather­ing was cosponsored by the Division of Professional Relations and the Chinese American Chemical Society.

The presentations also brought out some of the hard statistics on the impor­tance of the foreign-born scientist to U.S. science today. For instance, 39% of all Ph.D.s in physical science granted in the U.S. in 1990 went to noncitizens. This in­cluded 51% of the Ph.D.s in mathematics and 29% of the chemistry doctorates.

The strongest message for the for­eign-born scientists from symposium speakers was that they can develop re­warding careers in science in this coun­try. But they should expect to work at least twice as hard as their native-born colleagues to do so.

Most of the statistics came from Cor­inne A. Marasco, who works for ACS's office of professional services. Quoting from National Research Council data, she pointed out that the number of physical science doctorates awarded to foreigners rose from 962 in 1980, 23% of the total number of physical science doctorates, to 2315 in 1990, 39% of the total. The bulk of the increase came from temporary visa holders, as op­posed to those with permanent resi­dent status.

Marasco also pointed out that tempo­

rary visa holders are not eligible to ac­cept jobs in the U.S. But 53% of 1990 physical science doctorates, including 77% of 1990 chemistry doctorates, planned to stay in the U.S. for further study.

Addressing the more personal side of the foreign-born experience in U.S. sci­ence, two members of the ACS Board of Directors recalled their experiences after leaving their native lands as young men. Ernest L. Eliel left Germany just before World War II and Attila Ε. Pavlath left Hungary during the 1956 uprising.

Eliel explained that, partly because of U.S. immigration policies then, he spent time in Scotland, Canada, and Cuba be­fore entering the U.S. in 1946. He point­ed to the generally informal, friendly, and generous approach of Americans and how this helps immigrants.

In Eliel· s opinion, the foreign-born can succeed in science in the U.S. if they work hard and are flexible and en­terprising. He has two specific pieces of advice: Don't worry about having an accent, and be careful with the sarcastic humor, which Europeans seem to like but which can readily be misunder­stood in the U.S.

After leaving Hungary, Pavlath spent time in refugee camps in both Austria and Canada, where he says he was very well treated, before moving to Califor­nia. He stated that he has experienced no prejudice in California, where he still lives and works. At the symposium he stressed that anything is possible in the

Support groups aim to help the foreign-born chemist The Chinese American Chemical Soci­ety (CACS) and the Iranian American Chemists Association are two exam­ples of efforts by foreign-born chem­ists to develop support mechanisms.

Both organizations are designed to help immigrants and naturalized citi­zens with career counseling, to pro­vide a forum for the exchange of ca­reer experiences, to promote fellow­ship, and to maintain a basis for networking. An additional task of the Iranian group is to try to help dis­pel the anti-Iranian attitude preva­lent in the U.S. in recent years.

Neither group is formally associated with the American Chemical Society,

but both hold their meetings and so­cial events during ACS national meet­ings. CACS has cooperated with ACS on a number of projects. In addition to cosponsoring the symposium, Profes­sional Development of Foreign-Born Chemical Scientists, at the recent ACS national meeting in San Francisco, it has assisted ACS in designing a na­tional survey of Asian chemists and is now helping to develop a guide to em­ployment for foreign-born students.

CACS was founded in 1981 and now has about 400 members. The Ira­nian group, now about 250 strong, was founded during the ACS nation­al meeting in Boston in April 1990.

Organic Intermediates for pharmaceuticals, agrochemi-cals, dyestuffs, flavors, fragrances, photocnemicals, etc.

5-Nitroisophthalic COOH acid JDL and derivatives 0 2 N^V^COOH

COOH 4-Nitro-m-toluic acid φ* and other isomers ^Y^CH 3

N0 2

Dodecylaniline (isomer mixture)

5-Amino-2-nitro-benzoic acid

5-Amino-o-cresol

NH2 4 C12H25

COOH N02

H2N

H2N

OH CH3

ISDN Isosorbide dinitratei mixtures with lactose( etcUSPXXI

ON02

"•CO ON02

• Custom synthesis • Nitration • Catalytic hydrogénation

US-Agents: Henley Chemicals, Inc. 50, Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale Ν J 07645, Phone (201) 307-0422 Fax (201) 307-0424

A120.2.510

£MS EMS-DOTTIKON AG

CH-5605 Dottikon, Switzerland Phone 057 2611 55

Telex 827 923, Telefax 057 24 21 20

JUNE 1,1992 C&EN 35

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U.S., "if you set your mind to it." His other major admonition was, "Don't worry that the other guy got it easier."

The consensus among the speakers seemed to be that although foreign-born chemists face many challenges in devel­oping careers in science and technology in this country, there is no widespread, overt discrimination against them.

According to Ν. Υ. Chen of Mobil R&D in Princeton, N.J., the U.S. is still the most open country in the world. And entry into an R&D career is based on talent, ability, and personality.

This contention was supported by data presented by Darrell T. Liu of the Food & Drug Administration on the ca­reer paths of Asian Americans working for the Public Health Service. By stat­ute, PHS can employ only U.S. citizens. But those of Asian ancestry employed in scientific and other professional jobs apparently progress, on average, at the same rate as non-Asians.

However, the foreign-born can face problems. M. Ali NabiRahni of Pace University, New York City, pointed out that press hysteria over Iran in recent years has had a negative impact on the Iranian-born community in this country.

There was also consensus on the need for the foreign-born to adjust to the ethi­cal values of U.S. society, but to do so without giving up the values of their own cultures or using them as an excuse for lack of success. As one speaker put it, the U.S. is now more of a salad bowl than a melting pot. Another constant theme was the need for the foreign-born to master the English language and to work especially hard on their communi­cation skills.

Irene Yeh, manager of human re­sources at Stanford University, contrast­ed the ethnic Chinese virtues of patience, obedience, reticence, and respect for the collective over the individual with U.S. values of openness, directness, flexibility, and the dominance of the individual.

Her basic advice to the foreign-born was to modify their usually conserva­tive, careful approach and to not be afraid of making mistakes, to take risks, and to offer solutions. As she put it, "Don't be a squeaky wheel, be a prob­lem solver."

Several speakers pointed out that sci­entific expertise alone is not enough. Success in science also depends on abil­ity to think creatively, to generate ideas, and to communicate those ideas.

Michael Heylin

38 JUNE 1,1992 C&EN

The American Chemical Society Course

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