Chemistry Seminar: Minorities in Chemistry

I attended the Friday chemistry seminar concentrating on minorities in chemistry.  It was an enlightening experiences due to the four guest speakers present: 1 Latino female, 1 African-American female, and 2 African-American males.  Being a female majoring in biochemistry, the seminar was a great tool for encouragement.  The seminar itself demonstrated the small percentages of women and minorities present in the industry.  Each speaker attested the struggles involved in getting an education, finding a job, and becoming successful as well as the people who might discourage you or prevent you from succeeding.  A piece of advice focused upon during the discussion was the concept of finding a mentor.  This idea seems so obvious but is rarely acted upon. The speakers discussed the valuable information and guidance a 'mentor' can have for a student.  Mentors are able to help students struggling with decisions to be made after graduating and also simply offer directions as to where an answer can be found.  Intimidating as it might seem, introducing yourself to your instructors and finding a connection with one can better yourself in the future and possibly in terms of networking after graduation.