A few words from Robbyn K. Anand, founder of the Midwest Retreat for Pathways in Chemistry:

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"The idea for this Retreat began during a season of uncertainty in my own career. I was a postdoctoral researcher trying to decide what came next. I loved science, but I had real questions about what different career paths actually looked like in daily life, not just in theory, but in practice.

 

At the encouragement of my graduate advisor, I began having candid conversations with scientists about their experiences. In one of those conversations, I proposed bringing people together for an informal retreat -- a space with a high mentor-to-participant ratio, open dialogue, and practical professional development.

 

At the first retreat, I heard a story that changed me. A professor spoke honestly about the tradeoffs in her life. She described a moment when her child scraped a knee and ran to their father first. It stung, she admitted. But she also spoke about the pride she felt in her family, her partnership, and the meaningful work she was doing. She did not pretend there were no tradeoffs. She simply shared that, for her, the path was worth it.

 

For the first time, I could see myself clearly in that role. Not a perfect version of it but a real one. I left that retreat with clarity, and soon after, I applied for faculty positions. It was the best professional decision I have ever made. I now lead a research program and mentor students -- work that continues to bring me deep purpose.

 

What surprised me most at that first retreat was something else entirely. As attendees arrived, I felt a flash of panic. Their backgrounds, goals, and life circumstances were wide-ranging. How could one event possibly address so many different questions?

 

What I learned is that it wasn’t my role to have all the answers. The strength of the Retreat lies in the collective wisdom of its mentors and participants. When you create the right environment -- small groups, thoughtful panels, space for honest conversation -- people meet each other’s needs.

 

Since joining the faculty at Iowa State University, I have led a dozen retreats, serving more than 600 graduate-level chemists. The event is now organized by a multi-institutional team of graduate students who shape the program, invite mentors, and grow as leaders in the process.

 

Among the many moments that stay with me, one stands out. During a small-group discussion, a student asked a panelist, “How do you find the courage to be yourself in your profession?” The response was simple: “I test the waters -- a little at a time.” That exchange captured exactly why this Retreat exists. Science is deeply human work. We all navigate uncertainty, ambition, tradeoffs, and growth.

 

The Midwest Retreat for Pathways in Chemistry is built on the belief that honest conversations can change trajectories. Sometimes all it takes is one story, shared openly, to help someone see their own future more clearly."

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