After graduating from Monmouth University in New Jersey with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, Sade Stevens knew she wanted to work in a hands-on position that would allow her to apply her skills directly.
She worked with an agency and connected with Newark, N.J.-based Epolin LLC, a division of Chroma Color Corp., as a temp. Although Stevens didn't have experience in the plastics industry at the time, the compounder and dye maker ended up offering her a full-time position.
"I'm incredibly grateful for that opportunity, as it allowed me to gain extensive knowledge about the plastics industry and recognize the long-term potential it holds for chemists like myself," she said.
"I feel fortunate to have had an internship during college where I learned the basic skills for using a spectrometer, which I now use regularly in my job. Today, I continue to deepen my knowledge of this instrument with the support of my colleagues at Epolin. I also constantly explore new ideas and approaches to exceed expectations in my work," she said. "Additionally, I set personal goals and have taken on leadership roles when needed to further my professional development."
As the senior quality control chemist, Stevens is "deeply involved in the production of dyes used in our own and our customers' plastic materials."
"As part of the team, I ensure that our customers have full confidence in the quality of their formulations by rigorously inspecting and verifying that each one meets their exact specifications before it is shipped for processing," she said.
Customers are developing highly technical products and rely on Stevens and Epolin to deliver high-quality results. Her current challenge is juggling multiple products while maintaining the high standards she sets for herself and customers.
"Additionally, we are continuously developing new solutions and products, which requires me to ensure that these new specifications fall within acceptable margins of error, that all data provided is accurate and that the results are consistently repeatable," Stevens added.
Stevens is involved with the American Chemical Society, National Safety Council, International Society for Optics and Photonics, Plastics Industry Association and National Association of Manufacturers.
"I feel fortunate to be with a company that offers a wealth of opportunities to learn and grow, particularly in the area of technical and custom formulations for high-growth markets like automotive, medical, defense and eye protection. The work we're doing is both challenging and exciting, and it's helping me develop a deep expertise that I value greatly," Stevens said.
"My mom always taught me the importance of being reliable and giving my best, even in areas where I lacked experience. When I started my career after college, I entered a field I knew little about, but I was determined to make a name for myself by following her advice," she said. "Today, at Epolin, I'm proud to be seen as a reliable and capable team member who can handle the challenges that come my way."