CANADA CONNECTION: On Being A Chemist

SEVEN BASIC TRAITS – For over half of my life practicing chemistry in the Philippines (20 yrs.) and Canada (16 yrs. as of today), I can’t help but look back on the lessons that I’ve learned as a Chemist.

It seems my upbringing as mere child of a proletariat (sugar bag handler, to be exact), had significant impact to my achievements today.

But the character traits and values that envelop myself as I usher towards my personal growth and development appears very worthy to consider.

Conscientiousness has been among my traits since childhood, as I do some chores at home and in school, lest my supposed undertaking would give me frustration. Whenever I plan to do a project, I’m always thinking of doing it right at the first time. This kind of trait influenced me to do the Chemist job with ease.

Honesty is a kind of values that also embedded in me, remembering my elementary teacher saying “Honesty is the best policy”. Thus, I believe one could hardly become a Chemist unless he is honest, as the result and data from his tests are deemed the basis for any decision, analytical or managerial.

Excellence in working in the laboratory is also a significant trait that one need to adhere if only to become a successful Chemist in life.

The efficiency of working in laboratory can only lead to effectiveness if it’s done with excellence. Apart from being accurate, effective, and efficient, the reward of excellence can be achieved by being meticulous all the time, like a child always bewildered of the events happening around him.

The basic questions of 5Ws + 1H are always in the mind to answer the null hypothesis, and lead to conclusive result.

But wait, let’s remember that Chemist is always working in an organization beset with limited resources. Hence, a Chemist need to have initiative of looking for resources whenever tools and supplies are not in hand readily, as it has been said every goal one aspires to achieve is dependent on his initiative to develop a workable test method, thus gaining self-confidence and self-esteem. By having initiative in the laboratory, a Chemist will always feel proud of the result of his work.

In the process of working in the laboratory, especially in the field of research, a Scientific-minded Chemist is definitely the epitome of a scientist worthy of emulation.

The frontrunners of Chemistry like Albert Einstein, Anton Lavosier, Joseph Priestly, John Dalton, Robert Boyle, and Madame Curie could not have been successful unless they weren’t scientifically minded.

Earlier, I said Honesty is the basic trait one should embrace to be a successful Chemist.
In so doing, the trust and respect of the colleagues would eventually be gained.

Indeed, Trustworthiness is a trait that significantly strengthen the integrity of a Chemist.
In a nutshell, one need to have Conscientiousness, Honesty, Excellence Meticulousness, Initiative, Scientific Mind, and Trustworthiness to be able to achieve success in practicing his career as Chemist.

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CONTRIBUTION TO MY FOUNDATION – While it is admittedly my being a successful Chemist is largely due to my perseverance, hardwork, and self-sacrifice, yet I can’t afford to ignore the contribution of persons and institutions that afforded and facilitated to me the opportunities, amenities, infra-structures, and facilities that build a concrete foundation of my self.

Foremost of them was Victorias National High School where I underwent a Chemistry class under the late Reynaldo Hormillosa, who patiently nurtured me the basics of Chemistry. Albeit the laboratory supplies were limited yet I got familiar with the basic glasswares and other laboratory tools.

Enrolling in a BS Chemistry class in Colegio San Agustin was financially challenging. But the generosity of the Augustinian priests, especially the late Rev. Fr. Eduardo Perez, of admitting me as working student with a mere P1.00 entrance fee is highly appreciated.

As among the 40 students in BS Chemistry class, I am happy to survive the rigors of class instruction, as well as the challenges from my mentors, especially our class adviser Mrs. Melinda Montelibano-Montaño, deemed the matriarch of BS Chemistry students, who addressed her “nanay”, and to whom I am deeply grateful for her advices and guidance.

After completing BS Chemistry, it seems to me I wasn’t yet prepared for the board examination. Thus, teaching Chemistry class in Don Felix Montinola Memorial Insitute, St. Roch Academy, and University of Negros Occidental-Talisay was a big help as I undertook a self-help review in Chemistry, eventually bolstering my confidence in working in the Sugar Laboratory of Victorias Milling Company. But due to financial constraints, and lured by better renumerations, I joined Moly Marketing, later High Performance Industries, selling laboratory chemicals, equipment, and industrial chemicals, respectively, which is among the scopes of practicing the chemistry profession.

All of these experiences were bundled that enabled me to pass the board examination for Chemist.

Presto, in October 1985 I started my work as Research Chemist of First Farmers Milling Company until 1997, when the management implemented its Retrenchment Program.
For that matter, I say “thank you very much” to all those who in one way or the other contributed in moulding concretely my foundation as Chemist.* (Dan Cajurao)