Advisor Spotlight: Meet chemistry advisor Erin Bachert

Chemistry Advisor Erin Bachert has a B.S. in Information Management through the School of Business. During Bachert’s undergrad, she was a student assistant for the Department of Chemistry. She was then recruited into her current position as an advisor and although she thought it would be a temporary job while completing her master's degree, Bachert realized her love for advising.  

What's one of the biggest mistakes you made as an undergraduate student? 

I did not actually attend advising sessions as an undergraduate. This was a huge mistake since I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for a career, and I declared a major based on the few career paths I was aware of. I changed my major several times and this resulted in extra time and money being spent toward my degree. I also took a course that I did not even need to take because I was self-advising and did not realize that it was not a requirement for students in my specific catalog term. 

What approach do you take to advising? 

I think the best thing that I can do is provide students with accurate information and the tools that will assist them in making good decisions for themselves. Scheduling is just one piece of advising and even though chemistry has some strict prerequisites and a definite order to the curriculum, each student’s schedule and timeline is unique to them and their individual needs. My job is to help students by guiding them through their time at WSU even if it results in me helping them to switch majors and finding a career path outside of chemistry. 

What is your favorite thing about your job? 

My students. I have some of the best students at WSU. They are hardworking, compassionate to others, active in their communities, inventive, and very appreciative of the staff in our program. I love watching them grow and being able to witness their accomplishments. 

Do you have any advice for incoming students? 

Make sure to attend advising regularly and start to look into different ways to get involved on campus. The American Chemical Society (ACS) Student Affiliates is just one of the many great student organizations that are available at WSU. Student organizations will help you to get to know other students and establish a sense of community on campus. The ACS Students Affiliates are incredibly welcoming and available to anyone who enjoys chemistry regardless of major, so please do not shy away from student organizations. 

Do you have any advice for graduating students?  

It is important to get your references established with your current faculty and attend career workshops. It is also a good idea to keep in touch with your advisor because companies will contact us when looking for recent graduates. 

How can students connect with you remotely? 

Either through phone at 313-577-9930 or Microsoft Teams appointment. I am also working through email (erin@wayne.edu), but detailed questions are better answered through an appointment.