This podcast shares stories from people in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields who have had a nonlinear/nontraditional career pathway or have spend a significant amount of time outside the STEM fields. The goal is to break the "born scientist" stereotype, to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity in the STEM fields, and to encourage more people, especially students, to pursue their careers in STEM regardless of their backgrounds.
Episode 6: "General Chemistry was THE HARDEST class I have ever taken!" says the chemist
In this episode, we hear stories from Debbie Gale Mitchell, who is a magnetic resonance spectroscopist and chemistry professor at University of Denver. She will talk about the people that inspired and supported her to choose her career pathway, her experience in grad school, her hobbies outside the STEM fields, and how all those are intertwined. Hope you enjoy! Opening and Closing Music: "Happy Ukulele" from audioautix.com
18 Apr 2026
Episode 5: From "I never want to see chemistry again!" to teaching chemistry - Story from Rissa Sorensen-Unruh
In this episode, Rissa Sorensen-Unruh shares her story about how she got a chemistry degree, decided she "never wants to see chemistry again" and did something else, but then later became a chemistry instructor. Hope you enjoy! Opening and Closing Music: "Happy Ukulele" from audioautix.com
20 Feb 2026
Episode 4: Liberal arts education and LEGO - story of Dr. Stephen von Kugelgen
In this episode, we hear the story from Dr. Stephen von Kugelgen, who talks about picking a career different from his parents', working interdisciplinary, his awesome liberal arts education, and his passion for LEGO. Opening and Closing Music: "Happy Ukulele" from audioautix.com
23 Dec 2025
Episode 3: I didn't pick a career at a young age - then I picked chemistry! Story from Dr. Anne LaPointe
Welcome to the podcast "No, I have not ALWAYS been a scientist", where we hear stories from scientists who have had nonlinear pathways and sidetracks in their careers and lives. In today's episode, we will hear the story from Dr. Anne LaPointe. She will talk about why she chose chemistry, what made her stay, the changes she has made in her career path, and what she likes outside her career. Hope you enjoy! Opening and Closing Music: "Happy Ukulele" from audioautix.com
25 Nov 2025
Episode 2: From Journalism to Bank Analyst to Process Engineer - Story from Dr. Tim Dreier
Welcome to the second episode of the podcast "No, I have not ALWAYS been a scientist"! In this episode, we hear the story from Dr. Tim Dreier, who wanted to study journalism first, but ended up with a job as an analyst at a bank, then...he became a process engineer in the chemical industry! Opening and Closing Music: "Happy Ukulele" from audioautix.com
31 Oct 2025
Episode 1: From Homeschooled Kid to Lab Manager - Story from Dr. Capri Price
Welcome to the first story in the Podcast "No, I have not ALWAYS been a scientist"! In this episode, you will hear the story from Dr. Capri Price, a lab manager at the University of Connecticut. Let's hear how Dr. Price went from a homeschooled kid who did not know many career options to getting her Ph.D. and becoming the manager of the spectroscopy lab! Opening and closing music: "Happy Ukulele" from https://audionautix.com/
28 Oct 2025
The Great Launch: You Have Nonlinear Pathways - and That is Fine!
Hello and welcome to the podcast "No, I have not ALWAYS been a scientist"! This podcast shares stories from people in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields who have nonlinear pathways (e.g. people who have made big changes in their careers, or who have spent a significantly amount of time outside the STEM fields). The goal of this podcast is to normalize nonlinear pathways, break the "born scientist" stereotype, and make the STEM fields more diverse and inclusive...
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