Every so often I throw out a resume for a day job….

I usually love my job…. But I could do other things…. Things that have few night and weekend off…. Where I can know that my time off is time off and I know where my next paycheck is coming from…

I wasn’t planning to put out my resume… I probably wont get the job… But the Amalgamated Sugar factory is looking for a Factory chemist…. My experience in chemistry is old but they want someone who knows laboratory protocol and can calibrate the laboratory machines….. I can do that…. It might be boring… I don’t know what the person will think when one of the parts of your resume is: Candidate for Congress… Yes I was able to debate Congressman Mike Simpson without falling on my face or looking like a fool…. I also have a little bit of laboratory jobs… I have my real estate and property management….Actually I am pretty cool and eclectic.. I take a stand and try to do my best at whatever I do… Do I even want the chemist job? I don’t know… It was never my dream to be a factory chemist but sometimes I am worn down…. When I graduated I wanted to work in an R and D lab and do research….One of the things on my bucket list was to be publish in a professional journal…That wont happen as a factory chemist or selling real estate…

So why apply for the job? Not sure… I worked very hard to get my degrees and then had my kids…. They were my job and my life’s work… They have left the nest… Sometimes I want to remember I really am a scientist… I certainly won’t make a difference at the sugar factory… So what do you do with a resume like mine? Resume is down below for the curious….

Now it is time to go to the office and write the counteroffer and the price reduction….Pick up my client at 3:45 PM for the inspection (figures crossed), submit the other price reduction and check the agent remarks…

I AM A GOOD REAL ESTATE AGENT WHO HAPPENS TO BE A CHEMIST AND TAKES STANDS!

Deborah Holmes

1304 Gourley St., Boise, ID 83705

(208) 751-2551, d5holmes@msn.com

Education:

Boise State University, Fall 2002 – Spring 2005: Recent coursework in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology of Cancer, Biochemistry laboratory, Statistics, Epidemiology, Immunology (graduate level), Cell Biology, Microbiology and Nursing. Computer Science Courses and Education Courses, fall 1993 – fall 1996

Binghamton University, M.A. in Physical Chemistry, 1987

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, B.S. in Chemistry, 1982

Experience:

Candidate for US House of Representatives in Idaho’s 2nd District, March 2008 – November 2008 – Won Democratic primary in May of 2008, carrying 69% of the vote and every county in the district. I lost the general election against 5 term incumbent Congressman Mike Simpson. As a candidate, I received the endorsement of Governors Andrus and Evans, the Idaho AFL-CIO, the Alliance for Retired Americans as well as numerous local unions. I participated in two televised debates (Idaho Public Television and KTVB) with Congressman Simpson, gave speeches across the district, organized policy, wrote press releases , gave television, radio, and newspaper interviews, weighed in on current issues (and had them published in media). I traveled the state for campaign appearances, organized paid and volunteer staff throughout the state, and raised and managed campaign funds. I collaborated with other candidates and groups throughout the state to present a united political coalition.

Real Estate Agent , September 2006 – present – Gold Key Real Estate, Boise Idaho. I work with clients to buy and sell real estate. I market property, negotiate sales, and work as part of a team to get the deal closed favorably for my clients. I specialize in first time home buyers, loan modification, reduction of debt, and bank negotiation for short sales.

Laboratory Research Assistant, February, 2006 – June 2006: Albertson College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho. I designed and performed experiments in molecular biology including. Elisa, western blot, biotynalation on proteoglycans. I assisted and monitored students in laboratory and maintained mammalian cell lines for research and class use. I purchased, ordered, and maintained laboratory equipment and materials.

Property Management, March 2005 –Present: Manages real estate investments in Ada and Canyon County.

Adjunct Lecturer in Chemistry, August, 1991- December 1992: Boise State University, Boise, Idaho. Prepared and taught laboratory sections in introductory chemistry.

Adjunct Lecturer in Mathematics, Spring 1991: Taught pre-calculus at the University of Maryland facility at SHAPE (NATO Headquarters), Mons, Belgium.

Chemical Technician, July, 1988- October, 1988: Manpower Temporary Services, Elmira, New York. Formulated, coated, and tested coatings for an electrostatic master.

Teaching Assistant in Chemistry, August 1983 – June, 1985: Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York. Prepared and taught laboratory and recitation sections in introductory chemistry.

Laboratory Research Technician (co-op student), January, 1983 – June 1983: Pitney Bowes, Inc., Norwalk, Connecticut. Formulated and tested inks for an ink jet array. Formulated and tested coating for thermal paper.

Student Assistant, summer 1982: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. Designed and constructed a solid-state lead selective electrode for use in the undergraduate laboratory sequence. Chemical stock clerk; responsibilities included inventory control and instrument maintenance.

Volunteer Experience:

Cub Scout Pack 123, 1999 – 2004 : Den leader, coordinator for three successive major fundraisers. Co – chaired and helped organize numerous pack functions.

Temple Ahavath Beth Israel, 1993 – 2001: Led team which reinstated Sisterhood. Vice President in charge of Programming 1994 – 1998. February 1998 – July 2001, gift shop manager, designed a computerized inventory system.

Boise GATE program, summer 1996: Classroom assistant for two summer science classes. Implemented “hands-on” light experiments.

Monroe Elementary School, 1993 – 2002: Classroom volunteer and library assistant – Helped with computers, science, math and reading.

Other Experience:

Extensive experience in the use of spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software.

This is a funny career….

I started my life as a  chemist…. Well that is not true I started my life as a baby (just like everyone else).   I took a BS and MA in Chemistry.  In all my working career (short because I took care of my kids) people rarely what I was doing and if it had any implications in the world.   The conversation started like this.  “Debbie what do you do? ”  “I am a physical chemistry graduate student.”   They would take a step back then trying to regroup they would ask what my husband did.   I would tell them he is a math graduate student.  At that point they would usually find someone else to talk to….. Fast forward 3 kids and 25 years later.  I am a real estate agent and I ran for Congress. I have2 kids who are college graduates, one starting grad school and the other starting college.   People do not ask me what I think of the political situation (I have to force that on them).  They ask me the market conditions.  What is their home worth and whether I think the market is rising or falling?  What do I think will happen in next few months…. Can people really get loans?

 

It was very interesting to have people want to hear my opinion.  I think I had less than that as the nominee for my party and certainly less then as a Scientist.

 

We are ambassadors of our profession and we owe it to our client to be abreast of the situation.  This is just a thought for the day before my office meeting?

  Debbie Holmes