Feier Hou

No, I have not ALWAYS been a scientist

Science EN ↓ 7 episodes

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.

Author

Feier Hou

Episodes

Episode 6: "General Chemistry was THE HARDEST class I have ever taken!" says the chemist Debbie Gale Mitchell 27.06.2026 1:27:34

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: "Ha...

Episode 5: From "I never want to see chemistry again!" to teaching chemistry - Story from Rissa Sorensen-Unruh 18.04.2026 1:10:29

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

Episode 4: Liberal arts education and LEGO - story of Dr. Stephen von Kugelgen 20.02.2026 1:14:56

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

Episode 3: I didn't pick a career at a young age - then I picked chemistry! Story from Dr. Anne LaPointe 23.12.2025 37:14

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...

Episode 2: From Journalism to Bank Analyst to Process Engineer - Story from Dr. Tim Dreier 25.11.2025 1:08:21

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

Episode 1: From Homeschooled Kid to Lab Manager - Story from Dr. Capri Price 31.10.2025 29:51

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:...

The Great Launch: You Have Nonlinear Pathways - and That is Fine! 28.10.2025 2:47

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 non...