2016 graduate hired as research chemist

Yashaswi Shrestha ’16

Yashaswi Shrestha ’16 was recently hired as a research chemist for Beautycounter, a beauty and personal care company based in Santa Monica, California.

A chemistry major when she was at Randolph, Shrestha now researches, screens, and reviews chemicals and ingredients used in the company’s products, ensuring that they are both safe to use and not harmful to the environment. Shrestha conducted similar research at Randolph, including a term project about the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976. The project piqued her interest in chemical use and their environmental effects in the personal care industry.

“This job and the mission of the company echoed my concerns and aligned with my passion to do something about it,” she said.

Shrestha credited Randolph’s Career Development Center and her faculty advisors for helping her refine her resume and search for potential employers. As a senior, her professors connected her with various alumni who provided insight about the job seeking process as well as post-college life.

“I am most grateful for the connections and relationships I made with my professors,” Shrestha said. “Whether in the class or outside of the class, they inspired me in all forms possible, and I don’t think I would’ve gotten that at any other school.”

“The education I got at Randolph certainly allowed me to think critically, understand scientific concepts, and get technical skills,” she added. “But more importantly, it allowed me to think outside the box and look at global problems as a challenge, and made me believe that I can make a difference in the world.”