From Grad to Lab - An Interview with Samantha Payne
Sam is wearing a green shirt and the background is the undergraduate laboratory. A glass burette and test tubes can be seen in the image.
What is your job and what does it entail?
Inorganic Laboratory Instructor at Memorial University. That means I teach and develop the labs related to the inorganic chemistry courses on campus. I also provide assistance to students in the Help Centre.
When did you start becoming interested in pursuing this career path?
I knew back in High School that I wanted to do something related to the sciences. In my first year of undergrad, I had an amazing first-year chemistry professor (Dr. Rayner-Canham). That, combined with my enjoyment of the chemistry labs, led me to pursuing a chemistry degree. Finally, it was working as a TA in grad school that made me realize I wanted to teach labs.
What has been your most influential “success” factor?
It’s important - in anything, but especially in science - to keep learning.
What was the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career thus far?
Trying to adapt to the student skill gap post-COVID. Finding ways to meet them where they were, while still bringing them up to where they needed to be.
What makes you passionate about your career?
I love when I can help a student finally master a technique or understand a concept. I also enjoy sharing my love of science, and it’s very rewarding when a student comes to share that joy. Yes, science can be hard… but it should also be FUN.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read, I enjoy playing video games, and I do musical theatre as a hobby! I’ve performed in multiple local productions.
Image of Sam in play “Alice at Heart’. She is wearing a white nurses apron with a red heart on the front. She is singing in this image.
What part of your academic career did you enjoy the most?
The places and people were a highlight of grad school for me. Getting to travel to Colorado for the Green Chemistry Summer School, to Hawaii for Pacific Chem…and meeting people there (as well as making connections on my own campus)… those are the memories that really stand out.
What advice would you give to other young women hoping to pursue a path similar to yours?
If you make a mistake, don’t wallow in it - learn from it. Some of my best-learned lessons came as a result of an error or a mistake. While no one wants to make mistakes, they happen. It is the reality of being human… But if you can turn it into a learning opportunity, it can still be a valuable experience.
