1	Chemical Engineering, The Most Important Degree
2	Why is chemical engineering the most important career? Teaches analysis skills as no other field Is involved at some point in everything we use Yields a very flexible career path Pays a very high salary from the start Has the most responsibility Based on impeccable ethics
3	Why did I become a Chemical Engineer? Liked Science and Math in High School High National Test Score in Chemistry There were no PCs yet My brother told me to because they make lots of money
4	Why NJIT? Excellent Chemical Engineering school with good facilities and faculty Close to home (no dorms yet) Wanted to keep my Fuller Brush business My brother went here My dad wouldn’t pay more than NJIT
5	What did I like at NJIT? The computer part of every Chem Eng class The laboratory facilities The Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Math Professors My classmates and social activities The Co-op program (the most important decision of my career)
6	What did I find out on Co-op part I? Isobutylene polymerizes in high heat sulfuric acid (very interesting) Naptha gas accumulates near the ground (interesting & important) What bosses say and want are different Job performance reviews are like humanities classes
7	What did I find out on Co-op part II? Refineries and Chemical Plants use ridiculous amounts of steam Computers control many refinery operations Programming my material balances was fun (Super important) Other people found it fun for me to program their material balances. I found out about Technical Computing
8	What was my first full time job? Introduced to database systems Worked long hours Learned many computer languages and systems Learned about billing rates Given choice one night of moving to Baton Rouge, Saudia Arabia, or get laid off. Went to BR. Almost died. Twice.
9	Full time job part II Moved from BR Back to NJ to Process Simulation Found value in networking after hours through softball Moved to research environment to help scientists Worked on Masters in Comp Science Started business after Masters Degree Working on PhD. in Information Systems Taught Separations and Plant Design Created Search Engine Optimization Course
10	Why did I start a business? Wanted to use Technical and Sales background Liked the variety of technical challenges Understood concept of customer Did not understand concept of boss Could always go through a contract house (headhunter)
11	How did my business grow? Used all of my contacts from grammar school to the present Willing to take short assignments First major break came through a softball contact Second big break came from studying Swedish Continue to network
12	What books influenced my career choices? General, Physical, and Organic Chemistry, Thermo, Unit Ops. Intro to Fortran and Comp Science “How to Be a Successful Consultant” “The Dogbert Management Handbook” “Softball Tips and Techniques” “The Soccer Coaching Bible” “Endless Referrals” by Bob Burg
13	What didn’t I know from my college education? You sell yourself first Learn other aspects of business such as Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Sales, and Legal. Presentation and interview skills are a key to success A Roladex is more important than a bank account
14	What advice can I leave you? Learn as many new things as you can, even if they are not the most fun Build a good reputation with teachers, peers, and bosses Network through your professional societies and social clubs “When you are with work people, you are at work” Have the courage to change
15	Who is Hendela System Consultants? Consulting and software company based in Little Falls, NJ. Established in 1988 as a custom program shop. Produces customer survey, marketing landing page systems, search engine optimization strategies. Clients include Fortune 500 and small/mid-sized companies and government agencies. Developed SCANALYZER software to aid software analysis.