January 14, 2005 Meeting 
 

Speaker:  Dr. Catherine Woytowicz
Principal, Spider Consulting
  
Topic: “Non-traditional Career Opportunities for Chemists: Drafting International Treaties, Advising Government, Writing Books, Solving Crime, and Teaching - what’s it all about?”
Date: Friday, January 14, 2005
Location: The Parthenon Restaurant
(in the new banquet room)
314 South Halsted Street
Chicago, IL

Abstract:

Dr. Catherine Woytowicz has done all of the things listed in the talk title!

Forensic science is a current hot topic.  Catherine has worked in this field and is currently writing a book on the subject. Comments and perspectives about this area of science will be shared.

What is it like to work in science policy for the State Department, taking U.S. positions overseas and making them stick?  How does the U.S. government operate in a world culture and also within international organizations?  Science is becoming more and more important in international negotiations and Dr. Woytowicz will provide an inside look on how the “name” and “no name” people make and implement policy.

Congress, the Executive Branch and government agencies require technical help on science matters.  The ACS and other organizations provide this support and advice. Insights to this career will be provided.

Do you speak science and like to write?  Can you really make money doing technical and scientific writing?  If you have the interest and drive, you can write anything from articles for popular science magazines to movie scripts to textbooks.  Find out how to start.

We are all teachers.  Could you be a mentor?  In three years, Catherine has produced more Goldwater, Hughes, and Fulbright fellows than anyone at her university. Is there a secret?

Expect a memorable talk and question and answer session.

Biography: 

Dr. Catherine Woytowicz was born and raised in Park Ridge, IL, a suburb of Chicago.  Catherine’s undergraduate degree in chemistry is from the Honors Program at Loyola University of Chicago.  Her Ph.D., also in chemistry, is from the University California, Riverside.  She has taught organic chemistry at Chicago’s Loyola University, The George Washington University, and – in the spring – will teach at Georgetown.  She has served as the American Chemical Society’s Science Policy Fellow (1999 – 2001) and as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Diplomacy Fellow at the Department of State (2002 – 2004).

At State, she coordinated the Eastern Europe portfolio (geographic focus).  Her issues portfolio covered biotechnology, education, biological and chemical terrorism, and nanotechnology.  Catherine acted as liaison to the Organization for Economic and Cooperative Development’s Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy and its sub-bodies specializing in biotechnology.  She worked closely with 14 countries (posts) and 2 Hubs (Copenhagen and Budapest) to cover regional issues.  Catherine also interacted with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on strategies for U.S. science and technology that intersected her portfolio.

She is committed to public outreach about civic science and has spoken at several schools - including Washington D.C.’s celebrated School Without Walls – on the value of science as a career choice in nontraditional fields.  She coaches public speaking skills including television preparation for Toastmasters and helped produce a television show with Broadcasters, a Chicago-based advanced chapter of Toastmasters.  In her spare time, Catherine writes and maintains a consulting practice in technical writing.  She also tours as a stand-up comedienne and jazz entertainer.  Catherine is currently writing a book on forensic science, and she does research and mentors students in career development including nontraditional science jobs such as public policy work at The George Washington University and Georgetown.



A meeting of the Chicago Section JOB CLUB will be held at the Parthenon at 5 PM. The JOB CLUB provides a continuing opportunity for unemployed members of the Section to meet one another, share their experiences and develop a network that may help in identifying employment opportunities. Bring plenty of resumes and business cards to distribute to your colleagues. A presentation of some of the primary resources that are useful for conducting a job search will be made.

Should you wish to attend the Section meeting following the JOB CLUB, the fee for unemployed members is only $7.50 and you can continue your networking activities over dinner.


Topical Group Presentation
"Ensuring the Safety of Pharmaceutical Products",
presented by

Sharon J.Northup
Northup RTS (Regulatory Toxicology Services), Highland Park, IL.

Job Club: 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Topical Group Meeting: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Social Hour: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM
Meeting: 8:00 PM

Note:  BECAUSE OF OUR SPECIAL PROGRAM ON '' NON-TRADITIONAL CAREERS IN CHEMISTRY'' WE HAVE LOWERED OUR NORMAL DINNER PRICE IN ORDER TO BE MORE ATTRACTIVE TO BOTH STUDENTS AND CHEMISTS STARTING THEIR CAREERS.  

Cost:  $15.00 for members of ACS/ $17.00 for non-members/ $7.50 for students & unemployed members.

Reservations:   (847)647-8405   
                    by noon, Wednesday, January 12

or,   REGISTER ON LINE !
Please honor your reservations. We must pay for all dinners ordered. No-shows will be billed.

Greek Family Style Dinner--



Map and Directions:
From Kennedy (I-90) or Edens (I-94):   Head downtown and exit at Adams Street. Turn right/west to Halsted. Turn left at Halsted. Restaurant is approximately 1-1/2 blocks on the west side of the street.

From Dan Ryan (I-90/94):   Head downtown and exit at Roosevelt/Taylor and turn left to Halsted. Turn right at Halsted. Restaurant is approximately 8-1/2 blocks on the west side of the street.

From Eisenhower (I-290):   Head east to Chicago. Exit at Racine and turn left. Go to Jackson Boulevard and turn right. Take Jackson to Halsted. Turn right at Halsted. Restaurant is approximately 1/2 block on the west side of the street.

From Outer Drive North:   Exit at Randolph St. Turn right (west) to Halsted. Turn left at Halsted. Restaurant is approximately 5-1/2 blocks on the west side of the street.

From Outer Drive South:   Exit at Jackson St. and turn left to Michigan Ave. Turn right at Michigan to Adams. Turn left at Adams to Halsted. Restaurant is approximately 1/2 block on the west side of the street.


PARKING:   Free valet parking available.   Parking is also available on the nearby streets or in a nearby lot for a charge.





Updated 12/30/04