Musings of an Old Chemist

A Chemist's Perspective on the Habits and Skills STEM Students Need For Success

Month: June 2025

  • Journey of Personal Growth – Introduction

    Journey of Personal Growth – Introduction

    “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” 

    Albert Einstein

    When we are young, and even throughout high school and college, we are frequently asked some form of the following question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Our answer would usually consist of career choices, such as a doctor, a lawyer, a fireman, a teacher, etc.

    My answer, at least until my disastrous freshman year at Centre College, was I wanted to be a doctor. Not because that was my first choice, but because that was my Mom’s desire for me. I have to admit I had no idea what I wanted to be.

    But from my perspective, after being on this planet for 67 years, a more important question that should be asked, and I wish someone had asked me, is: “How do you want to be known, as a person, when you grow up?” Not what my job title will be, not how successful I will be, or how much money I’ll make. But who, what kind of person am I? How will I be remembered? What value do I bring to the world around me?

    Knowing, identifying, who we are as a person is a necessary step in finding the answer to that question. This involves understanding what is important to us, what are our dreams, aspirations, goals, motivations, and expectations. Additionally, we must recognize that growth is a process; there is a method we must follow to become the person we want to be. In essence, there is a journey of personal growth we must experience. Your journey, and mine, applies beyond our “academic” learning experiences and encompasses every area of our lives. This broader “spectrum” of learning includes life experiences, emotional intelligence, social interactions, and spiritual growth. EVERY experience, big or small, contributes to our overall growth.

    This journey is a lifelong endeavor that is different for every individual, Yours will be totally different from mine, or your parents. There are no step-by-step instructions or a road map that we all can follow.

    I may have a certain perspective on the topic, but my views are uniquely mine alone, and do not necessarily apply to situation. The biggest mistake I made in the classroom was assuming that my students shared the same passions for problem-solving and for learning that I did. I expected them to be more like me and did not recognize where they were in their own individual journeys.

    There is no starting point or ending point; it is non-linear and cyclical, not a straight line between points A and B. It involves the support and influence of others, your parents, your family members, teachers, and friends. Influences that may cause you to lose sight of your own goals and expectations in favor of meeting other people’s expectations, becoming an obstacle to your own well-being. Social media pressures and your family dynamics may obscure your own internal compass.

    Your journey requires constant observation, reflection, and analysis, allowing you to perceive the world around you in greater clarity, appreciating the complexity and the connectivity. You will gain new insights, encounter new situations, and overcome limitations – shifting your perspectives on life (if you allow it). The satisfaction of overcoming challenges, learning new skills, and being aware of your progress will motivate you to continue learning and growing. Your expectations of yourself will change. You will set more ambitious goals, face challenges with more confidence, and appreciate the value of lifelong learning.

    Creating Your Own Map

    In our minds, we create a map, so to speak, of where we’re headed in our lives, what steps we need to follow, and how long we expect it to take. As you follow your map, you’ll be exposed to new experiences, perspectives, and challenges, forcing you to reevaluate your goals and expectations and your course. Follow your internal compass – your intuition, your moral compass, or your core values that guide you even when your map and where you are headed seem unclear. Think of the people who have supported you in your journey, like family, friends, and mentors, as fellow travelers or guides along your journey.

    Role of Family

    Everyone’s journey begins with family, shaping our values, ideals, and our early understanding of the world around us. Your family background serves, to use a chemistry term, as the catalyst for your journey. It helps to shape your values, beliefs, and early understanding of the world around you. And while your family situation has a significant influence on your journey, it is important to recognize that your family situation and your genetic predisposition does not define you – you can overcome any family dysfunction, becoming your own person with your own values and beliefs through self-awareness and hard work. It may take some time for you to find your way but it will happen.

    High School Years

    High school is a critical period in our lives. It is a time when you start to figure out who you are and become more independent, developing your own values that may differ from your family’s. Relationships with friends can be complicated, and you might face the challenge of choosing between fitting in with a group and staying true to yourself.

    Learning how to think critically and solve problems are important academic skills that are developed during high school. Thinking critically means to

    High school is where it is important to boost your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Critical thinking basically means thinking clearly and logically, and being able to connect ideas. It’s all about looking at facts, evidence, things you observe, and arguments to come up with good conclusions and make smart choices. Your opportunities to improve these skill sets may not exist as much in the classroom, especially with the teach-to-the-test philosophy that permeates our secondary schools, but can be nurtured elsewhere, for example, playing video games.

    I can’t emphasize enough that it’s the process of learning is what is valuable throughout your life, even though the class material itself is only important in the short term to pass the next exam. 

    During these formative years you learn the importance of taking responsibility for your actions, both at home and in the classroom. Additionally, you will learn to recognize that you may not have all the answers and that you will need help and guidance from others, including your parents, teachers, and other people in your life. 

    Life can be challenging, and we often find ourselves merely surviving, going through the motions. Struggles can arise anytime, whether in school, work, or personal life.  Times when it’s difficult to know what the right thing to do is, the right decision to make, it’s all we can do to get up in the morning and go through the motions of daily life. School becomes a struggle – keeping up in the classroom, finishing homework on time, and maintaining good grades. It’s even more important during these difficult times to develop a support network, whether it is through your faith, a trusted friend, or mentor.

    These struggles are not just limited to your high school years; they may occur at any time along your career path. Life can throw you a lot of curve balls, unexpected events like illnesses, losing close friends or loved ones, or sudden opportunities that throw you off balance and make you reroute your path. But remember, all these things are valuable learning opportunities, events that help you discover new strengths, become more resilient and self-reliant.

    And finally, in high school, you begin to make decisions about your future education and career. You might decide that college isn’t for you, and that’s okay. Your long-term goals may not require a college degree, and you can always change your mind later. The important thing is to identify your passion and develop a vision for your future.

    College and Career

    This segment of our lives is where we truly embark on our personal journey, where we step into uncharted territory, so to speak. We establish our independence, for some, living away from home for the first time. We form intimate relationships, develop skills needed for our career choice, and build a network of friends, colleagues, and mentors that may last a lifetime.

    Commentary

    You will not always know which path you should follow or what role you are meant to play. It is only natural for you to make some wrong turns in your journey and at times feel lost. But it is so very important to realize these missteps, whether they are small or large, are valuable learning experiences. They teach us to be resilient and the importance of adaptability and self-correction – all benefits of practicing the art of self-awareness. And sometimes, regardless of the path we follow, we end up exactly where we are meant to be. Meaning we can’t always control the circumstances and situations we face in our lifetime; the best we can hope for is to be the best version of ourselves at the end of our journey. Knowing your own limitations is valuable; it requires an understanding of both your strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of what point you’re at in life, frequent self-assessments can be beneficial. To get you started, you’ll find one on the Self-assessment page of this blog.

  • The Essential Traits for Personal Growth

    The Essential Traits for Personal Growth

    “You can’t build a skyscraper on an outhouse foundation.”

    Dr. John Walkup

    Three integral, interrelated traits: curiosity, a passion for learning, and a passion for solving problems, when combined with self-awareness, are the foundation or prerequisites for personal growth and eventual success, regardless of which career path you may choose.

    By definition, prerequisite is something that has to happen first, something that must occur, or in this case, a personality trait that must be developed, before you can get to the next step or goal.

    For example, in education, a prerequisite is a course or subject that a student must complete before enrolling in a more advanced course. This ensures that a student has the foundational knowledge or skills needed to succeed in the more complex material.

    For the sake of our discussion, these three prerequisites, curiosity, a passion for learning, and the passion for solving problems, ensure that we have the necessary foundation, the skills necessary to succeed on our journey of personal growth.

    Curiosity

    “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths”.

    Walt Disney

    It all begins with curiosity – always asking “why?” and “how?”. Curiosity is a fundamental human trait, our longing to understand the world around us. Curiosity is the spark for our desire to learn and explore, to ask questions, and to seek knowledge beyond the obvious. It opens the door for new experiences and perspectives. And enriches our understanding of the world around us.

    When you’re curious, learning isn’t just memorizing facts. It’s actively exploring ideas, solving problems, and discovering what truly interests you. This makes learning more engaging, turns you into a better thinker, and fuels your creativity. It’s also key to understanding yourself and what you’re passionate about, setting you up for a lifetime of exciting discoveries and personal growth.

    And when combined with open-mindedness, seeking answers to questions in areas that interest us stimulates our passion for learning and our desire to solve problems, to investigate, experiment, and discover.

    While some people may be more naturally curious than others, the good news is that curiosity can be cultivated and nurtured.

    • The most effective way to build your curiosity, ask questions, lots of them. No question is too simple or too complex as long as the purpose is to gain more knowledge. Strive for deeper understanding in your learning, asking “why” and “how,” refusing to accept surface-level explanations. 
    • Listen and be open to different points of view, and actively seek out knowledge and understanding. Take time to research, participate in conversations, and explore diverse perspectives different than your own, which can broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding. Maintaining an open mind, willing to consider new ideas and perspectives, is essential to staying curious.
    • Embracing your passions is another powerful way to develop your curiosity. When we immerse ourselves in subjects that truly fascinate us, the desire to learn becomes naturally motivated.
    • Finally, persistence is the key. When faced with challenges or setbacks, a curious person will persevere, viewing obstacles as opportunities for learning and growth.

    Passion for Solving Problems

    Problems are a natural part of life, and the ability to solve them effectively is essential for success in both your personal and professional life. The passion for solving problems is the strong desire to identify and overcome challenges. It is the driving force that keeps you focused, motivated, and driven to find creative solutions to the complex and some not-so-complex problems you face in your lifetime. Without a passion for problem-solving, you may be less likely to take risks and try new things, and more importantly, less likely to persevere in the face of failure. This will greatly impact your career success regardless of what field you choose.

    Problem-solving skills are more important now than ever and are in demand by employers who want employees who can rapidly adapt to new situations and find innovative solutions to challenges they encounter in the workplace. People passionate about solving problems are looking for new challenges and ways to improve things. They are not afraid to think outside the box and create innovative solutions. This is a valuable skill in any field, as it allows people to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

    Here are some of the benefits of having a passion for solving problems:

    • It makes you more versatile. The ability to solve problems is essential for adapting to change. When things don’t go according to plan, people passionate about solving problems quickly come up with a new solution. This is a valuable skill in today’s rapidly changing world.
    • It makes you more creative and innovative. Problem solving requires creativity and innovation. People who are passionate about solving problems are always looking for new and better ways to do things. This is an important skill for success in any field, as it allows people to develop new products, services, and processes.
    • It makes you more competitive. In today’s competitive job market, it is important to stand out from the crowd. A passion for problem-solving is a great way to do this. Employers are always looking for people who can solve problems and improve things.
    • It makes you more successful in your career. Studies have shown that people who are passionate about their work are more likely to be successful in their careers. They are also more likely to be happy and fulfilled in their work.

    How can you develop or enhance your passion for solving problems?

    • The first step to developing a passion for problem solving is to find a problem that you are passionate about. This could be anything from a personal problem to a global issue.
    • Then, do your research. Once you have found a problem that you are passionate about, learn as much as you can about it. This will help you to better understand the problem and to develop potential solutions.
    • Be creative and think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. The best solutions are often the ones that no one else has thought of.
    • Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is a natural part of the problem-solving process. It is an opportunity to learn and grow.
    • Finally, take time to celebrate your success. This will help you to stay motivated and to keep solving problems.

    Developing a passion for problem-solving takes time and effort, but it is worth it. A passion for problem-solving will help you to succeed in any career path you choose, making you a more valuable asset to your employer and to society as a whole.

    Passion for learning

    A passion for learning is important for success, in school and whichever career path you choose. This is because the world is constantly changing, and new technologies and ways of doing things are emerging all the time. In order to stay ahead of the curve and be successful in any field, it is important to be willing to learn new things and adapt to change.

    A need to be “the expert” about something rarely impresses others and can actually hinder your own growth. Always be in the process of learning. Seek the counsel of others. Listen to their experiences. Feel free to say, “I don’t know—instruct me.” And let them fuel your growth.

    Here are some of the ways a passion for learning can contribute to your success:

    • It makes you more adaptable. The ability to adapt to change is essential for success in today’s rapidly changing world. A passion for learning will help you to be more adaptable and to learn new things quickly.
    • It makes you more creative and innovative. A passion for learning will help you to think more creatively and come up with innovative solutions to problems. This is an important skill for success in any field.
    • It makes you more competitive. In today’s competitive job market, it is important to stand out from the crowd. A passion for learning will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be more competitive and to land your dream job.
    • It makes you more successful in your career. Studies have shown that people who are passionate about their work are more likely to be successful in their careers. They are also more likely to be happy and fulfilled in their work.

    If you are passionate about learning, you will be more likely to succeed in any career path you choose. You will be more adaptable, more creative, more innovative, and more competitive. You will also be more likely to be happy and fulfilled in your work.

    Here are some tips to develop or enhance your passion for learning:

    • Find something you are interested in. The first step to developing a passion for learning is to find something that you are interested in. This could be anything from a hobby to a subject in school.
    • Set goals for yourself. Once you have found something you are interested in, set some goals for yourself. What do you want to learn about it? How can you learn it?
    • Find a mentor. If you are serious about learning about something, find a mentor, a friend, a teacher, or a boss who can help you. And be willing to listen and open to their instruction. A mentor can provide you with guidance and support and help you to stay on track.
    • Join a group of people with similar interests and goals. There are many cohorts of people who are passionate about learning. Joining a group can help you stay motivated and connect with other people who share your interests.
    • And finally, make an investment to make learning a part of your daily routine. Set aside some time each day to learn something new. This could be reading a book, watching a documentary, or taking a class.

    Commentary

    I would like to think that my foundational skills were sufficient for me to succeed. I was, and still am, extremely curious about the subjects I am passionate about. I still keep up on discoveries in chemistry, physics, and education, and have acquired new interests such as gardening and writing, with this blog being an example.

    I had the passion for solving problems throughout my childhood, then, nurtured in college under the mentorship of Dr. Walkup and then the technical training I received in my years with Hewlett-Packard’s Analytical Products Division, it has become a major strength.

    Looking back, I can clearly see my past and present weaknesses. While my passion for learning is a strength, I’ve always been an independent learner, often to a fault. This reluctance to seek direction or advice from others is a significant weakness. I cannot stress enough the importance of developing and nurturing the skill of asking for guidance and humbly accepting instruction without defensiveness. My pride and arrogance led me to believe I knew more than those around me, and I deeply regret the missed opportunities to learn from them.

  • Learning from Mistakes

    Learning from Mistakes

    “The greatest teacher failure is..”

    Yoda

    If I could identify one lesson from college that was the most valuable, it would be my professors’ requirement that we must identify the sources of error in every lab experiment. To recognize, through observation of the individual steps in an analysis, where there was the potential for an error that affected the eventual outcome of the experiment. Whether you obtained the correct answer or not. In every analysis we performed, there was always the potential for making a mistake in our preparation, observations, and calculations, each of which could give us the wrong answer.

    Fast forward to today, how does this concept apply in your world? If you apply an analytical approach to identifying sources of error when you get a wrong answer or make a mistake, it helps take the emotion out of the picture, allowing you to see it as a learning opportunity, encouraging you to identify and benefit from your mistakes in the future.

    I encourage you to consider the benefits of getting the wrong answer. Here are a few:

    Mistakes help us to identify what we don’t know. This can be a good thing because it allows us to redirect our learning and to focus on the areas where we need the most improvement.

    Mistakes can encourage us to think about how much effort we invested in learning the material. When we are trying to understand why we got the wrong answer, we are forced to think more deeply, develop a greater understanding of the concepts, versus simply rote memorization.

    Mistakes can help us become more resilient. When we make mistakes, it is important to learn from them and keep moving forward, which is an important skill for success in all areas of life.

    And, mistakes can help us to be more creative. When we are not afraid to make mistakes, we are more likely to try new things and to come up with new ideas. A valuable skill that is beneficial throughout our lives.

    How to we begin to learn from our mistakes? 

    To begin with, don’t beat yourself up. Everyone makes mistakes. It is important to forgive yourself and to move on.

    Then try to identify and acknowledge the mistake you made. What was the root cause of the mistake? Once you understand the root cause, you can take steps to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

    Finally, learn from your mistake. What can you do differently next time? Think about how you can apply what you have learned to improve your performance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are struggling to understand a concept or to solve a problem, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Take my advice, if you ask someone for help, be prepared to listen with and open mind and not get defensive. There is always someone wiser than you or me whose instruction is valuable.

    By following these three tips, you can turn your mistakes into learning opportunities and become the best version of yourself.

    Commentary

    As I have gotten older, my perspective has changed, and I’ve come to recognize and admit to myself the mistakes I have made over the years. I have always been able to apply the concepts of error analysis throughout my career. When it pertained to recognizing the weaknesses or failures in an analysis, it was one of my most recognized capabilities. I prided myself on my ability to apply the Scientific Method to almost any situation. However, very seldom did I apply the same skillset to my personal life.

    When we fail, especially in our careers or our personal lives, it is very easy to blame someone else, our boss, a coworker, our parents, spouse, or significant other. We may blame the situation we were in as if it were out of our own control. We blame anyone and everything in order to deflect the responsibility for our mistakes and failures from the person responsible, ourselves. I readily admit I am an example of these same habits. 

    The personal trait of self-awareness, which I will discuss in detail in a later post, allows us to recognize and acknowledge our weaknesses as well as our strengths. It acts as our internal GPS so to speak, showing us where we make a wrong turn in our lives and directing us back on track. Learning from each misadventure, becoming more humble, less arrogant and prideful, accepting blame where it is needed, and leading us on the path to wisdom. 

    I am nowhere close on my journey of personal growth, but I do believe I am getting better at admitting my mistakes and attempting to learn from them each day. And, hopefully, by doing so, I am a better person today than I was yesterday and will be an even better person tomorrow.

  • The Power of Mindset: Growth and Fixed Perspectives

    The Power of Mindset: Growth and Fixed Perspectives

    What is a “Mindset”?

    The term “Mindset” refers to the attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts we hold about ourselves and our capabilities. It shapes how we perceive ourselves, face challenges, and interact with the world. This internal outlook significantly influences our approach to learning, work, relationships, and life in general.

    The Origin of Mindset Concepts

    Dr. Carol S. Dweck, a Stanford University psychologist, developed the concepts of fixed and growth mindsets. Her research began in the late 1980s, focusing on how children respond to academic challenges. She observed two distinct mindsets: a fixed mindset, children faced with challenges gave up easily, and a growth mindset where children saw the challenges as opportunities to learn.

    Dr. Dweck’s research demonstrated the powerful influence on our motivation for learning, and how resilient we are across various aspects of our lives. Her book, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” (2006), popularized these concepts.Dr. Dweck’s work has significantly affected psychology, education, and business, emphasizing the importance of our beliefs and perceptions in shaping our potential. 

    Comparison and : Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

    Someone who embraces a growth mindset sees every hurdle, every mistake, and every piece of constructive criticism as invaluable feedback, a chance to sharpen their skills, broaden their understanding, and expand their horizons. They thrive on challenges, relishing the process of overcoming them, understanding that it is in the struggle, in the effort, that true growth resides. They are resilient, persistent, and view setbacks not as failures, but as learning curves, temporary detours on their journey toward mastery. They ask themselves, “What can I learn from this?” and “How can I improve?”

    Someone with a fixed mindset might view identical challenges as intimidating, even overwhelming barriers. They operate under the assumption that their inherited skills and intelligence are unchanging; whatever natural gifts they possess should ensure life success, requiring no additional effort. Consequently, they readily surrender when confronted with difficulties, driven by a fear of failure that could expose their shortcomings, frequently choosing only tasks they are confident of completing easily. They dismiss what they perceive as negative feedback, even when intended as constructive criticism, and they often feel threatened by the accomplishments of others. This need to project an image of competence compels those with a fixed mindset to avoid any risk whatsoever, thereby stifling their creativity and, ultimately, hindering their potential.

    This fundamental difference in perspective profoundly impacts one’s approach to learning, work, relationships, and life in general. 

    In the area of academics: 

    Students with a growth mindset believe their intelligence and abilities can be improved through hard work and dedication. They see mistakes as learning opportunities, and they persist through difficult subjects. They think, “I didn’t do well on this test yet, but I can study harder and improve next time.”

    However, students with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence and abilities are fixed. They avoid challenges for fear of failure and give up easily. They might think, “I’m just not good at math,” after a bad grade. Or, more commonly, they perceive their teacher to be mean, having unfair expectations.

    In extracurricular activities:

    Students with a growth mindset understand the importance of and focus on practice and learning, even if they don’t succeed initially. They see setbacks as opportunities to improve. They believe that effort creates talent.

    However, students with a fixed mindset avoid trying if they don’t feel naturally talented or quit easily if they face difficulties.

    In relationships and social settings:

    Students with growth mindset are open to meeting new people, understanding different perspectives, and working through disagreements.

    Students with a fixed mindset are less likely to step out of their comfort zone or struggle with criticism and conflict.

    Commentary

    When there’s a setback, someone with a fixed mindset will start thinking, ‘Maybe I don’t have what it takes?’ They may get defensive and give up. A hallmark of a successful person is that they persist in the face of obstacles, and often, these obstacles are blessings in disguise.

    Carol S. Dweck

    I encourage you not to give up, and not to get defensive, because you do have what it takes. The key is changing your mindset, your perspective. The question now becomes: “How do we change our perspective from a fixed to a growth mindset?” It is not an easy process, especially if you are older, like me, and have had a fixed mindset for a long time. It begins with the understanding of the fundamental difference between the two. Once we have identified and understand the characteristics, we must take action, invest in the process of changing how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. It is important to prioritize effort, it’s hard work, and understand that your effort leads to expertise.

    A great place to start is changing the way you address challenges, replacing “I can’t” with “I can” or I can’t yet.” This small change reflects a belief in yourself and your potential to improve. I urge you to be patient with yourself and persistent; mindset growth is a journey with ups and downs. True growth takes time. 

    The next step is difficult and requires a significant change in our perspective, recognizing that we are not perfect, admitting that we have our weaknesses, and that we make mistakes. Then put in the effort to analyze your mistakes as lessons, not failures. Value the process of learning from mistakes and setbacks as essential components of progress.

    I believe it is important to focus on “deep”  learning, not quick results. In college, I coined the phrase: “memorization then regurgitation” for those students who would memorize whatever was required for a test but never retain the knowledge past the end of the semester. I’ll admit my brain does not work that way. I needed to truly understand the material, much of which I still remember to this day, 45 years later. So the lesson in this is, instead of fixating on achieving a specific result, a certain test score, direct your energy towards acquiring knowledge, honing your abilities, and refining your strategies along the way. 

    Lastly, embrace personal accountability, take full responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their subsequent consequences. Shift your perspective from viewing yourself as a victim of circumstance to empowering yourself as a creator of your reality. Once again, this is not an easy task, especially if you’ve had this perception of yourself and your circumstances for an extended period of time, in some cases years. But, you can do it.

  • Introducing Essential Skills: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

    Introducing Essential Skills: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

    The terms “hard skills” and “soft skills” were first used by the U.S. Army in the early 1970’s to distinguish between technical and interpersonal abilities (Britannica Money, 2025). The term “soft skills” is specifically attributed to researcher Paul G. Whitmore, who used it in a 1972 U.S. Army training conference (MDPI, 2023; PMC, 2023).

    You’re presented with and expected to learn and master a great deal of technical information (hard skills) in your STEM coursework and on-the-job training. These “hard skills” are the specific, teachable abilities related to your particular field of interest. And while that know-how is important, it’s not the only thing that matters. Instructors tend to focus so heavily on teaching the technical aspects (computer programming, data analysis, math, and scientific principles) that they tend to neglect or overlook equally important soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, leadership, perseverance, resilience, problem-solving, and time management. 

    Soft skills, like hard skills, may be developed through practice, self-awareness, training, and experience. These four are essential for your success: practice (you must make an investment in time and effort), self-awareness (recognize your strengths and weaknesses, your goals and aspirations), training (throughout your career there is a need for continuing education), and experience (success does not happen overnight, it accrues over your lifetime.)

    Commentary

    Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to learn many skills, from operating and maintaining advanced analytical instrumentation to chemical applications development to curriculum design. Yet, I did not develop the foundational “soft skills” I needed to be successful. Yes, I had the communication skills; I could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo, as one of my administrators used to say, I was passionate about solving problems, and I excelled at critical thinking. But no one had discussed with me, so I never truly developed or practiced the skills of perseverance and resilience. Nor did I recognize the dangers of my pride and the importance of humility. The lack of these traits caused me to struggle, to alienate the people I worked for and with, and when things got tough, to give up and switch directions, never accomplishing what I intended to do. Additionally, I was not introduced to the concept of self-awareness until late in life, a skill that would have assisted me greatly throughout my career.


  • A Lifetime of Learning

    A Lifetime of Learning

     

    Definition: Student

    A student is someone who is actively engaged in learning. This learning can take place in a formal educational setting, like a school or university, or in informal settings. In essence, a student is someone who is actively seeking knowledge and understanding.

    (“Gemini 2.0” 2024)

    No matter how old you are, whether you’re in middle school, high school or college, you may even have graduated and started working in your chosen field, the information and techniques discussed in this blog are universally applicable. You are always a student.

    For example:

    Perhaps you embrace lifelong learning – actively seeking knowledge and understanding, driven by curiosity and a desire for growth. You enjoy and thrive on the continuous nature of learning. You seek new experiences, ask questions, and are always looking for opportunities to learn and develop.

    Perhaps you are on a journey of self-discovery – learning is not just about acquiring information; it’s also about self-awareness, understanding yourself and your place in the world. Exploring your interests, values, and potential. Being open to new perspectives and willing to challenge your assumptions.

    Perhaps you embrace challenges and setbacks, actively confronting life’s difficulties and placing value on the lessons learned from making mistakes. You see these challenges as opportunities for growth, requiring you to be resilient, adaptable, and willing to learn from your experiences.

    Perhaps you are a problem-solver – life is full of challenges, and learning is often about finding solutions. You’re someone who approaches challenges with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn. You see problems as opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge, and they persist until you find solutions.

    These are just a few ways to think about “student” beyond the traditional classroom setting. Remember, the most important thing is to have a curious mind and a willingness to learn, no matter where life takes you!