Women in Science - Online Interviews - Amanda Letchwork Harkins

Amanda Letchwork Harkins

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 hold the position of Product Development Manager in Research and Development at Buckman Laboratories in Memphis, TN. I have the responsibility to interface between R&D and other associates at Buckman, primarily, our Marketing department, to determine new product needs. I manage projects that my fellow associates in R&D work on in teams. I use the technical skills I learned from my chemistry studies as well as communication, organization, leadership, negotiation, writing, and presentation skills. During a typical day, I may attend project team meetings, follow up on requests I have made, answer questions from customers or salespersons, read articles and magazines pertaining to my work, and participate in discussions from our internal electronic bulletin board.

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 was undecided about my field of study as I began college. I chose classes in several fields such as computers and business as well as my core requirements in English and philosophy to help me decide what areas interested me. I found that the sciences were challenging to me. I knew that interaction with people was also exciting to me. I was interested in a job involving lab work so that I could experience "hands on" what I studied in school. I realized I wanted a career that would allow me to use my technical and people skills. In my career I am able to apply all the components of my liberal arts education.

3. What is the best thing about your job?

I enjoy helping others. This may be helping a fellow associate by answering a question about a product, assisting a salesperson close a sale, discussing new ideas for products or solving a customer's problem.

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

My mother studied biology and I've always felt that I share her interest in the sciences. My college advisor helped me to realize the kind of careers available to chemists.

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

I feel there are many opportunities for young women interested in science. A technical career can be a stepping stone for many careers in industrial and medical research, technical sales, business, engineering, technical writing, and law to name a few examples. It's challenging and exciting.

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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 hold the position of Product Development Manager in Research and Development at Buckman Laboratories in Memphis, TN. I have the responsibility to interface between R&D and other associates at Buckman, primarily, our Marketing department, to determine new product needs. I manage projects that my fellow associates in R&D work on in teams. I use the technical skills I learned from my chemistry studies as well as communication, organization, leadership, negotiation, writing, and presentation skills. During a typical day, I may attend project team meetings, follow up on requests I have made, answer questions from customers or salespersons, read articles and magazines pertaining to my work, and participate in discussions from our internal electronic bulletin board.
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 was undecided about my field of study as I began college. I chose classes in several fields such as computers and business as well as my core requirements in English and philosophy to help me decide what areas interested me. I found that the sciences were challenging to me. I knew that interaction with people was also exciting to me. I was interested in a job involving lab work so that I could experience "hands on" what I studied in school. I realized I wanted a career that would allow me to use my technical and people skills. In my career I am able to apply all the components of my liberal arts education.
3.	What is the best thing about your job?
	I enjoy helping others. This may be helping a fellow associate by answering a question about a product, assisting a salesperson close a sale, discussing new ideas for products or solving a customer's problem.
4.	Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?
	My mother studied biology and I've always felt that I share her interest in the sciences. My college advisor helped me to realize the kind of careers available to chemists.
5.	What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?
	I feel there are many opportunities for young women interested in science. A technical career can be a stepping stone for many careers in industrial and medical research, technical sales, business, engineering, technical writing, and law to name a few examples. It's challenging and exciting.