Emily Kilgore, University of Southern Mississippi
What drew you to study coatings or materials science specifically?
I went to Black and Gold Day at the University of Southern Mississippi and after making my way to the Polymer Science table, I learned about the different patent projects that have come out of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering, and thought they were some of the coolest things that I have seen. I have loved my time at USM and am super excited to see where my career takes me.
What’s been the most interesting lab or project you’ve worked on so far?
I’m currently working on a senior capstone project that is focused on developing and creating a device that targets and manages non-compressible hemorrhages. We are working on many different ideas on how to target uncontrolled bleeding in areas such as the torso and neck areas.
Have you met people in the industry who’ve influenced or encouraged your path?
I met Charley Marshall, vice president of Huntsman’s Advanced Materials division during my last internship. He started at the bottom of the totem pole for Huntsman, and has worked his way up through the company, so I really admire his work ethic and his desire to take on more and more responsibility in the company.
Are there specific roles or companies you hope to work for after graduation?
I would really like to eventually end up in the aerospace industry and work on things that we will send into space. I’ve loved space since I was a little girl and I think it would be awesome knowing something that I worked on could be headed out into the dark unknown.
Do you have a dream application or product you’d love to work on someday?
Anything that will be sent into space would be awesome!
How do you see your generation shaping the future of the coatings industry?
I think my generation will bring new insights to the coatings industry and will bring about a new way of thinking about concepts that have been researched for decades.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about pursuing a career in coatings?
Always ask questions! You are never the smartest person in the room, and there is always someone else that knows something that you don’t. Being able to absorb as much information or perspective from others is the best thing that you can do in the work force.
What advice would you give a high school or first-year college student curious about this field?
The possibilities are endless! You will never be stuck in this career because there is always something new to learn or work on and new materials and processes are being developed every day. Find something that you might be interested in and use that as your starting point.
Emily Kilgore is a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi majoring in Polymer Science and Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. She has completed two summer internships at Huntsman Corporation, at their McIntosh, Ala. site, working on transferring chemical manufacturing processes to the production floor. Following graduation, Kilgore will join Huntsman Corporation as a rotational engineer.
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