UD Professor of Chemical Engineering and Principal Scientist at Procter & Gamble Matthew Lynch gives his advice for students entering the scientific field and how to network successfully.

What is your professional background?

I graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in 1986 and from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a PhD in 1991 and went to work at the Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) right after graduation.

At P&G, I work in the Research and Development organization to envision, create and lead product initiatives that transform the company’s business by solving the unsolvable problems.  These efforts have resulted in numerous in-market products and more than 40 currently published patents.

In addition to my adjunct faculty position at University of Delaware teaching Senior Design (CHE 431) in Chemical Engineering, I am also the Chair of the Colloid and Surface Science Division of the American Chemical Society. I even maintain a vibrant research program with experiments on the Internal Space Station—just Google it! Because of these scholarship activities, I am invited to speak at national and international conferences, participate in National Science Foundation panels and have more than 40 research publications.

What advice do you have for students looking to enter your field?

The opportunities and enjoyment are boundless! However, there is a significant upfront “cost” to access all this wonder. It often involves four years of undergraduate studies and often four to six years of graduate school research. My advice: it is a journey, so spend some time exploring such opportunities before going too far down this path so that you end at the best destination.

Why is networking so important in the job search?

The basic challenge is that there are many people looking for the best jobs. Networking may bring you to the front of the line.

You may think of this in at least two ways. First, you may get access to pre-advertised positions.  In some cases, a company may even actually create a position specifically for you. Second, you may get enhanced consideration for an advertised position. In short, in a stack of hundreds of applications, your application gets elevated to the top of the stack. For the talent I find, I’ll often proactively reach out to the internal hiring manager with recommendations.

How do you think students can stand out when contacting working professionals like yourself?

Generally, working professionals are very busy people who are constantly meeting lots of different people. The trick is to go beyond the expected—do things or tell them things that are exceptional and extraordinary, that are sincere and not boastful. This may be technical, but this may speak to a common interest. In this way, you leave them curious and with a lasting impression. You stand out!

Are you willing to offer yourself as a point of contact for students looking to expand their professional network?

I very much enjoy meeting with students. The best way to connect would be through LinkedIn. Most professionals are very busy people yet eager to provide guidance and discussions, so please reach out with specific questions and goals. Such conversions may lead to further discussions, if there are mutual interests.

This blog post is written by our Division of Student Life student intern Olivia Schnefke.