Welcome to our third highlight in this week’s career series celebrating National Chemistry Week. Today, Scott Post joins us to share about his journey to a career in the chemistry field and his role at Univar USA.
What type of chemist are you?
I am an Industrial Chemist with Univar USA who provides technical support to our operations and sales organizations, helping promote our products and services to our customers.
Why did you pursue a career in chemistry?
In college, I knew I wanted to have a career in a science/math field, but, like most youth, I was not sure exactly what path to choose. Through coursework, internships, and professional support, I realized a career with a degree in Chemistry provided a good foundation that would enable me to have a rewarding career. My current position is a blend of technical and sales support, but my degree has allowed me the flexibility to further my career in sales, technical, and operations as I chose.
What does your job entail?
As with many jobs, my position has many hats — some bench chemistry, operations, engaging customers, and working with our sales force. Univar USA is the largest chemical distributor in the United States and has given me the opportunity to participate in special projects from Paints and Coatings to Lubricants, and Oil and Gas to General Industrial.
What aspect of your job do you find most interesting?
Working directly with customers on special projects.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical day is supporting our local operations along with working with our customers and sales force. The good part is that each day brings a new challenge due to the large market presence that Univar has across multiple industries.
Tell us about a cool project on which you’re working.
We have a large customer in the fracking industry looking to make the process chemicals they use for down the hole operations safer. Through lab work, we offered solutions that gave the same effect desired but were chemicals based on renewable/green technologies that are safer for workers and the environment.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The teaching portion of my job. I never realized how much teaching I do until someone pointed it out. At one point in my life, I wanted to become a teacher, and I realize now I’m partially living that aspiration.
How does your career allow you to give back to your community and society?
Participating in career days at our local school.
What would you say to a student considering a career path in chemistry?
A degree in Chemistry is a very specialized, yet diverse degree that enables you to pick many career paths. Every career involves chemistry in one way or the other, and you can find rewarding careers in research, sales, operations, engineering, medical, health/safety, and management.
