Molly Leitch

BS chemical engineering '08

Occupation: Manufacturing process engineer
Residence: Nashville, TN

Why did you choose to attend the University of Rochester?

Is it bad to say "soccer"?  I really lucked out that the team I wanted to play for was at a school with great academics.

When and how did you choose your major?

My parents wouldn't let me major in chemistry... so chemical engineering it was!

What resources did you use on campus that you recommend current students use?

The Career Center was amazing!!!! Going into senior year I was so nervous and anxious about getting a job. Meeting with the Career Center advisor completely prepared me for interviews and gave me confidence in how my resume looked. I couldn't have done it without them.

Who were your mentors while you were on campus? Have you continued those relationships?

I was really lucky to have friends who were a few years older in the engineering department. My semi-peer mentor was perfect for answering the questions that I didn't know how to ask my parents or academic advisors.

What did you do immediately after graduation? How did you decide to take that path?

This is always a decision I have debated. I never went abroad and always feel like I missed something. But I was scared that if I didn't take an engineering job right after school then no one would ever hire me. Looking back I am sure I would have gotten a job either way, but everyone's path and priorities are different. You just have to do what feels right at the time.

What skills, tools, or knowledge from your major have been most useful to you since graduation?

Ummm....This is tricky because I am not really doing differential equations in my daily job. But the problem solving skills I learned at UR I use every day.

What advice do you have for current students?

Keep in touch with the classmates in your degree. We all take different paths after graduation, but knowing what other UR students with just a chemical engineering bachelors are doing helps me gauge where I stand in the job market and what other career possibilities there are out there.