I've been working for about two and a half months now as a lab tech in a paints/coatings development group at PPG Industries. I have some administrative responsibilities (customer complaint tracking, cleanliness/efficiency initiative, other duties as assigned), but most of my time is spent in the lab. This is no chemistry lab, mind you, but a paint lab. Being in development, I get to work on a variety of paint formulations, but the basics stay the same: collect raw materials, mix up a small batch of paint, adjust the formula and remake the paint as many times as needed to obtain the right color or specifications, paint metal panels with said paint, put said painted panels through testing or cut them up into displays for a customer.
Probably the most useful outcome of this position for me will be the look I'm getting into industry. Quite a bit different from the nonprofit/academic world I've been in. I don't imagine I'll work in paints long-term, but I'm enjoying becoming familiar with how the company functions and I'm trying to pick up bits and pieces of chemistry along the way. It'll take me a while longer to completely know my way around or to have a good sense of what goes into the production of the big batches of paint that actually get sold.
Even in the short time I've been at PPG, I've settled into a routine that makes me feel like I've been doing this for quite some time. Working in a small-town suburb, driving to work every day, and getting to know coworkers with significantly different priorities than mine were all big adjustments at the beginning. Surprising how quickly something can become the new normal.
Outside of work, my stressing about the growing number of adult-ish things I have to do has been punctuated by some novels, some trips to Indy, some newly learned Hindi phrases, some happy hours, some chilly walks, and a lot of snuggling up in blankets.
Probably the most useful outcome of this position for me will be the look I'm getting into industry. Quite a bit different from the nonprofit/academic world I've been in. I don't imagine I'll work in paints long-term, but I'm enjoying becoming familiar with how the company functions and I'm trying to pick up bits and pieces of chemistry along the way. It'll take me a while longer to completely know my way around or to have a good sense of what goes into the production of the big batches of paint that actually get sold.
Even in the short time I've been at PPG, I've settled into a routine that makes me feel like I've been doing this for quite some time. Working in a small-town suburb, driving to work every day, and getting to know coworkers with significantly different priorities than mine were all big adjustments at the beginning. Surprising how quickly something can become the new normal.
Outside of work, my stressing about the growing number of adult-ish things I have to do has been punctuated by some novels, some trips to Indy, some newly learned Hindi phrases, some happy hours, some chilly walks, and a lot of snuggling up in blankets.