While most of the time you want to encourage students to follow the straight and narrow path, sometimes the best advice is to take a curvy path toward your goals. Case in point: Vanessa Stewart, national account manager for Novus’ pet nutrition lines.

During the 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days, Stewart told the Missouri Colleges Fund scholars touring the company’s suburban St. Louis facility that she started out as a chemistry teacher in her small hometown in southern Illinois and eventually moving to Novus working in the feed lab. She worked her way up the ladder and is now in a sales position, far from the chemistry degree she earned back in college.

“You never know where your career is going to head. You just go with the flow and make the best of your situations and opportunities. And as they present themselves, grab hold and go full steam ahead!”

She suggests the students concentrate on improving their communications skills and know that science is a great career goal on which to build a career.

Hear more of my interview with Vanessa below.

2010 Novus International Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers Photo Album