Ask the Expert "Look at every job as an opportunity. Have a positive attitude. Find a subject area that is exciting to you, and you'll find that the rest is easier." Name: Carol Handwerker Title: Chief of the Metallurgy Division Employer: National Institute of Standards & Technology Education: 1983 - PhD in Ceramics, MIT 1978 - MS in Ceramics, MIT 1977 - BS in Materials Science & Engineering, MIT 1973 - BS in Art History, Wellesley College Best Preparation: A solid background in applied mathematics opened more doors for me than more qualitative information and skills I aquired. I wish I knew more math. Getting First Job: I obtained my first full time job after graduating from Wellesley College from a newspaper ad for a secretarial job at a small engineering company. I found a job as a secretary/bookeeper/chemical engineer. The latter because of my high school experience in water pollution research. Previous ExpertNext Expert A Day in the Life of Carol Handwerker 7:00 AM Wake up, have breakfast with the kids. 8:00 AM Pack lunch, water garden, leave for work. 9:00 AM Check e-mail & schedule, answer phone calls. 10:00 AM Program planning or review at my desk unless 11:00 AM ?fighting fires? 12:00 Noon Exercise class, pump iron or ice skating. 1:00 PM eat lunch at my desk while I check e-mail, etc. 2:00 PM Time for a little science: work on technical papers with co-authors. 3:00 PM Group leaders meeting - personnel issues. 4:00 PM Meeting with ATP program manger. 5:00 PM last go-round with e-mail & phone calls, meeting with my boss. 6:00 PM Check my priorities for tomorrow, leave for home and help kids with homework. Evening Take walk around neighborhood, go swimming, read or watch TV with kids.