Women in Science - Online Interviews

Alison Dean

1. Give a brief description of your job telling what you do, (a day in your life) but also what you do specifically in your position.

I have nicely varied days, so I don't really have a typical day. Different times of the year, I tend to concentrate on different things - summer: toxics release report, pollution prevention plan, construction activities; winter: dangerous waste report, tier II report, training, etc. I organize projects, manage hazardous waste, supervise the lab staff, train all the employees (about chemicals, hazardous waste, and emergencies), sign bills, write budgets, and many plans and reports.

2. How did you decide upon your career? When did you know you wanted to do it and how did you prepare for it?

I found out that I like chemistry very much in college, where I took my first chemistry class. I simultaneously discovered that I don't enjoy biology, so I changed majors from biology. Since graduating, I've worked at a university, sewage treatment plant, water treatment (boiler and condenser plant, and an aluminum smelter.

3. What is the best thing about your job?

The part of my job I like best is the freedom to choose what I'll be doing any day. I like the work I do, so choosing a task is generally pretty stress-free.

4. As a kid, what kinds of things did you do to prepare for this job? What books did you read or what things did you do that let you know you would like this field?

Until I got into college and changed majors, I'd pretty much thought I would like to be a doctor or a veterinarian. I had lots of pets, and read most of the books at the library.

5. Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?

My parents were supportive of my choices, and were very in favor of my getting an education. They didn't really have an opinion about chemistry, though.

6. What is your favorite quote?

"The world is full of willing people; some are willing to work, the rest are willing to let them." Robert Frost

7. What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?

Stick with it. If you have a problem with a class or concept, ask your teacher, other students, tutor, parents... Asking questions is the quickest way to understanding.

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1.	Give a brief description of your job telling what you do, (a day in your life) but also what you do specifically in your position.
	I have nicely varied days, so I don't really have a typical day. Different times of the year, I tend to concentrate on different things - summer: toxics release report, pollution prevention plan, construction activities; winter: dangerous waste report, tier II report, training, etc. I organize projects, manage hazardous waste, supervise the lab staff, train all the employees (about chemicals, hazardous waste, and emergencies), sign bills, write budgets, and many plans and reports.
2.	How did you decide upon your career? When did you know you wanted to do it and how did you prepare for it?
	I found out that I like chemistry very much in college, where I took my first chemistry class. I simultaneously discovered that I don't enjoy biology, so I changed majors from biology. Since graduating, I've worked at a university, sewage treatment plant, water treatment (boiler and condenser plant, and an aluminum smelter.
3.	What is the best thing about your job?
	The part of my job I like best is the freedom to choose what I'll be doing any day. I like the work I do, so choosing a task is generally pretty stress-free.
4.	As a kid, what kinds of things did you do to prepare for this job? What books did you read or what things did you do that let you know you would like this field?
	Until I got into college and changed majors, I'd pretty much thought I would like to be a doctor or a veterinarian. I had lots of pets, and read most of the books at the library.
5.	Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?
	My parents were supportive of my choices, and were very in favor of my getting an education. They didn't really have an opinion about chemistry, though.
6.	What is your favorite quote?
	"The world is full of willing people; some are willing to work, the rest are willing to let them." Robert Frost
7.	What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?
	Stick with it. If you have a problem with a class or concept, ask your teacher, other students, tutor, parents... Asking questions is the quickest way to understanding.