38
3.3.7 ACS Membership
The American Chemical Society provides career and educational
resources and in-person
networking opportunities for its graduate student members.
39,40
This study asked survey partic-
ipants whether they are ACS members in order to assess whether there
are differences in the
perception of graduate students who are members of ACS and those who are not. Table 3.3.7.1
compares ACS members’ and nonmembers’ ratings of six survey items. Two survey items are
associated with statistically significant differences. ACS members rated
their preparedness level
to make informed career decisions and their satisfaction with the overall graduate school experi-
ence higher than the non–ACS members. The cause for this significant difference is unknown.
Survey Item
Likelihood to complete degree program
4.68 (0.56)
4.59 (0.64)
Preparedness Level To Make Informed
Career Decisions*
3.05 (0.98)
2.82 (0.99)
Confidence in ability
to navigate the job market
2.98 (1.05)
2.90 (1.02)
Confidence in ability to build a successful career
3.25 (1.07)
3.15 (1.04)
Likelihood of remaining
in chemical sciences
after graduation
4.13 (0.93)
3.97 (1.01)
Satisfaction with Overall Graduate
School Experience*
3.97 (1.00)
3.78 (1.17)
Member
(n=1,347)
Nonmember
(n=513)
Mean (SD)
Table 3.3.7.1. Comparison of ACS Members’ and Nonmembers’ Ratings
Each question was measured on a 5-point scale, with 1 being the worst rating and 5 being the best rating.
*p<0.05
