1. What do you do at the CIC?
On the National Team, I proudly manage our conference logistics and operations, conference professional development programs, and our annual national career fairs. I also facilitate outreach and engagement of our Local Sections, Student Chapters, Subject Divisions and assist with the Chemistry Education Fund and Lionel Scholarship application cycles. I strive to introduce new public outreach initiatives to promote the chemical sciences across Canada and excite the next generation.
2. How has your background led up to this work?
My involvement in the community began during my MSc degree where I assumed multiple volunteer positions. In these roles I had the pleasure of virtually connecting with seniors and children with special needs throughout the lonely days of the pandemic, and I was leading new initiatives to strengthen my chemistry community by planning an internal conference at my university. I was also elected to the CIC Toronto Local Section 2022 Executive Committee as their Industrial Liaison where I led a successful in-person career fair, and have since been elected as their 2023 Co-Chair where I oversee the many activities of my team.
3. What else should people know about CIC?
I want the chemistry community to know that CIC Local Sections span all of Canada. I hope to inspire readers to get involved with their Local Section, or even to activate a new Local Section in their neighbourhoods. Why? Because as a Local Section Executive you have the freedom to design creative events to bring your community together, and you can rely on the CIC National Team and Directors to support you in these endeavours. There is no better way to fast-track your non-academic soft-skills and improve your hireability than to take initiative in your community, practice leadership, organization, and resourcefulness, and, most importantly, make new connections! Reach out directly at sghaffari@cheminst.ca to learn more!