HIGHL IGHTS A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | A P R I L 2 0 2 1 6 6 FROM THE FOUNDATION Supporting the Farm Team It is now April, which means professional baseball is getting started— and it feels a little more like normal than last year. When baseball took a hit in 2020 due to the global pandemic, minor league baseball teams unfortunately were forced to shutter their seasons. My son and I discussed what that could mean for the future of baseball. Without minor league teams to hone skills and develop players to eventually reach the major leagues, how would major league teams field that loss? Hopefully, just one “lost” year will not have a significant impact. But what if minor league teams disappeared altogether, permanently? What impact would that have on major league teams fielding a full roster of skilled and well-prepared players? As director of the ASM Materials Education Foundation, I like to think of our programs as the minor leagues, or a “farm team,” to ASM International. Students who attend ASM Foundation programs—or are taught by teachers who have attended—learn the basics of materials science, about the field, career options, and how to pursue them. These are students who are anxious to attend a university materials science program, plan to become a professional in the field, and then ideally join ASM International to further their careers. This is why we chose not to shut down our “minor league” programs last summer. This is why we found a way to continue to reach both students and teachers, despite the pandemic. And we are continuing to provide our programs this summer, albeit remotely. The ASM Foundation remains as dedicated as ever to reach and positively impact students who will be sparked by materials science and want to pursue it into the “major leagues.” As always, thank you to the members, volunteers, and everyone supporting ASM Materials Camps and our other programs. Because of you, students go on to the majors each and every year! Carrie Wilson Executive Director ASM Materials Education Foundation EMERGING PROFESSIONALS Embracing Virtual Communication Jonathan Healy, EPC Co-chair Now, over a year into the COVID19 pandemic, many people have settled into what we consider the “new normal”—a world filled with Zoom meetings and particularly devoid of personal interaction. These recent times have underlined the importance of virtual communication. Luckily, a robust set of resources is available for emerging professionals (EPs) to engage with mentors and colleagues alike, both inside and outside of ASM. Perhaps the most commonly used of all these platforms is LinkedIn. I believe most of today’s EPs are aware of this resource, although for many, its potential is not fully realized. Aside frommaking sure to have a completely filled in and up-to-date profile (picture included!), it is crucial for EPs to engage and interact with the platform. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to reach out to that next potential connection. I am always surprised by people’s unwillingness to reach out for a myriad of reasons, when in reality, people are generally willing to lend a helping hand when they can. Aside from LinkedIn, there are several other resources that have sprung up. On the technical consulting side, we have the Fishbowl app, which is essentially a Reddit-like LinkedIn. On the more research-focused side, we have sites like ResearchGate that not only help colleagues connect, but also serve as a forum to help solve technical challenges as a community. Last, and most specific to our Society, there is ASM Connect. Hopefully, most members are aware of this platform by now, but for those who aren’t, it is ASM’s members only online community. It takes some of the best parts of the aforementioned sites and specializes them to create one of the largest materials-centric online communities. If you haven’t had the chance yet, check it out and be on the lookout for an upcoming EP community on the site. As our “new normal” slowly begins to fade back to pre-COVID times, remember these great resources, because there will always be a place for virtual communication. Get Engaged, Get Involved, Get Connected Watch for a new Emerging Professionals Community on ASM Connect coming soon. Visit the ASM Connect home page at connect.asminternational.org and get into the conversation! Wilson Healy EMERGING PROFESSIONALS
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