Last night, I had the privilege of attending an alumni networking event at Drew University, the same place where my journey as a scientist first began. Sitting across from bright-eyed undergraduates reminded me just how far the path of curiosity and perseverance can take us.

I met incredible individuals like Siwat Siengsanaoh and Diego Screbo, and our conversations centered around one crucial theme: networking. In times when the job market feels uncertain, with whispers of a potential recession echoing in the background, connections become our strongest currency.

I shared with the students a part of my own story.
In 2011, I entered the job market during the great recession. Despite holding a Master’s in Organic Chemistry, I had to lower my expectations and accept a contract position. It wasn’t the dream role I had envisioned, but it became the foundation on which I built my career.

That first opportunity at Ashland Specialty Ingredients shaped the way I approach chemistry, innovation, and leadership today. Working under visionary scientists like Dr. Osama Musa taught me that chemistry is not just about reactions, it’s about creative problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability.

Looking back now, as a chemist, educator, and founder, I see how every small step mattered. Each challenge was a catalyst, forming bonds (pun intended) that would eventually lead me to where I am today: creating, teaching, and building sustainable innovation through DevXpressions and LotiBloom.

To every student entering STEM remember this:
✨ Sometimes your first job won’t match your dreams, but it will prepare you for them.
✨ Network with intention, not desperation.
✨ Keep learning — the lab bench is just one classroom among many.

Here’s to paying it forward and helping the next generation bloom.