The life-altering impact of one chemist’s sabbatical
Dr. Monte Helm is not just an educator, but a life-long learner who embodies the true spirit of academic curiosity. With over 30 years of experience in research and teaching, his flexibility and willingness to take the scenic route; postdoctoral research roles, Deputy Director at a national laboratory and a couple of sabbaticals, made all the difference. In this episode, Paolo chats with Monte Helm, a respected Professor of Chemistry at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City about his journey through crown-phosphine and phosphine ligand synthesis research, and how mentors and sabbaticals played a vital role in his development. Tune in to learn about the joys and challenges of each role, and how Dr. Helm found his true calling in teaching at a community college. If you've ever felt uncertain about the conventional career path, this episode could give you the inspiration you need.
Bringing Chemistry to Life · Paolo Braiuca, Monte Helm
Show Notes
Anyone that’s followed this podcast will know that Paolo’s final question to each guest is, “What advice would you like to share with younger scientists just starting their career?” Here, our guest, Dr. Monte Helm, professor of chemistry at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, shares advice that he clearly lives by, which is, “… be flexible ii your career and follow what you think you’ll be passionate about.”
While Monte’s academic training is in inorganic chemistry, he’ll tell you he’s always cared about teaching as much as the subject itself. Join us to meet this lifelong learner and teacher, that’s parlayed his passion for phosphine chemistry and teaching into roles as a postdoctoral researcher, a professor at an undergraduate research institution, a deputy director at a national laboratory, and now a teaching-focused role at a community college. A set of roles that definitely demonstrates flexibility!
In addition to learning about the fundamental research Dr. Helm has done in crown-phosphine and phosphine ligand synthesis, we learn about his unconventional career path and the key role that mentors and sabbatical opportunities played in its development. He talks openly about the joys and challenges of each role, about his motivations for each career change, and his current love of teaching at a community college where he’s able to focus solely on teaching to students that may not have had positive primary educational experiences in science.
Related episodes:
- Season 2, Ep. 3: Rethinking Catalysis
- Season 2, Ep. 6: The charm of the forgotten elements
- Season 3, Ep. 3: Imagination and the chemistry of the things around us
- Season 5, Ep. 4: Shining a photochemical light on undergraduate research
Bonus content!
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