Chemistry 1001: The Chemical Community

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Chemistry 1001The Chemical Community
Careers in Chemistry
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What can I do with my degree after I graduate?
Chemistry is often referred to as the central
science, because chemistry plays a vital role in
nearly every other scientific field.
This presentation outlines some of the common
areas where chemists work.
This is by NO means an exhaustive list!!
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Chemistry Careers in Brief(http//www.chemistry.o
rg/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOCvc25c3wk5c
wk3.html)
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Industrial Chemistry Careers
The bulk of chemists are hired to work in the
chemical industry either as chemists working in
the plant or on the bench, or as technically
knowledgeable people who work in the business
side of the company.
? Industrial RD and Production An important
aspect of any industrial enterprise is the
development of new technology that can be turned
into new products.
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Industrial Chemistry Careers - contd
Research Chemist Work to develop new or
improved technologies for the companies.
Typically work at a bench carrying out chemical
reactions and/or determining chemical structures
or properties. Often a Ph.D. chemist, or
someone working under one.
Production Chemist Works to translate the work
done by the research chemist into something that
can be performed on a large scale as part of a
manufacturing process. Work with plant
engineers to maximize the design and use of plant
equipment, supervise production, ensure quality
control and ensure compliance with environmental
protection policies.
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Industrial Chemistry Careers - contd
? Industrial Sales, Marketing, and Technical
Service Each of these careers involves a
product-customer relationship. A background in
business is required to a varying extent for each
of these careers.
Sales Work with customers to identify what
products would most help the customer achieve
their goals. Often requires technical
background.
Marketing Deals primarily with analyzing
groups of customers known as "markets." Often
requires a background in advertising.
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Industrial Chemistry Careers - contd
Technical Services Laboratory work and
customer interaction are intertwined.
Responsibilities include developing new
applications for products writing instruction
manuals troubleshooting for customers with
problems or questions.
Added Note Many companies support and encourage
employees who wish to go on for further education
as they work. This support might include partial
or full payment of graduate tuition, released
time (with or without pay), or even a chance to
do research on company time that will both serve
the company as well as be applicable to an M.S.
degree.
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Academic Chemistry Careers
A second major option for people with degrees in
chemistry is as teachers of chemistry at the high
school, community college, college, or university
level.
? High School Students with a B.S. degree in
chemistry would likely need to obtain additional
training in education to be hired at a public
high school. Private high schools may directly
hire someone with a B.S. degree in chemistry.
? Community College Community colleges will
typically hire faculty members with MS or PhD
degrees in chemistry to teach general and organic
chemistry.
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Academic Chemistry Careers - contd
? Undergraduate Colleges or Universities
Faculty members at primarily undergraduate
institutions will teach classes and labs in their
area. They will also typically direct students
in original research projects. Faculty may write
grants to fund their research, write papers and
give presentations on the results of their work.
A PhD is almost always required for 4-year
college positions in chemistry, often
post-doctoral experience after the PhD is desired.
? Research Universities Faculty are expected
to teach undergraduate and graduate courses as
well as direct research groups of undergraduate
and graduate students. These positions require
PhD degrees and almost always will require
post-doctoral experience.
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Academic Chemistry Careers - contd
? Support Positions Colleges and universities
often have a number of support positions that
require technical backgrounds Lab Technicians
- perform support roles for teaching and
research, such as operating research
equipment. Stockroom managers - order and
maintain inventories of chemicals and supplies
for the research and teaching effort. Safety
officers - handle hazardous waste and help
enforce EPA and other safety guidelines.
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Government Chemistry Careers
Federal, state, and local governments offer a
variety of opportunities for students with
chemistry degrees.
? National Labs U.S. government operated
national research labs employ B.S., M.S., and PhD
scientists who carry out research on a wide
variety of topics. National labs offer an
environment that is a cross between industrial
and academic research.
? Regulatory Agencies Departments such as the
EPA, FBI, FDA, ATF, etc. employ chemists who
carry our research and perform analytical
services in support of the regulatory role of
these agencies.
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Chemistry-related Careers
Not every student who earns a chemistry degree
ends up as a chemist or chemistry
teacher. Opportunities in fields as varied as
medicine, law, business, and science are
available.
? Forensic Chemistry Analytical chemistry and
biochemistry form the basis for much of forensic
science. A general training in chemistry is one
of the best preparations for a career in forensic
science. There is a significant need for people
interested in working for local, state, and
national forensic science labs.
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Chemistry-related Careers - contd
? Biotechnology Biotech takes advantage of
biochemistry to produce materials for our modern
way of life.
? Toxicology Toxicologists are principally
involved in the discovery of new knowledge
concerning how toxic substances produce their
effects. Industries employ toxicologists to
assist in the evaluation of the safety of their
products. Federal laws require that
manufacturers provide adequate testing of
products (such as therapeutic drugs, food
additives, cosmetics, agricultural chemicals )
before releasing them into commerce.
? Food Science Analysis of foods to ensure they
are safe and nutritious. Develop better tasting,
longer lasting, and healthier foods.
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Chemistry-related Careers - contd
? Dietary scientist People with chemical
backgrounds can work to understand how our diet
affects our health and well being.
? Cosmetics Opportunities for chemists in the
cosmetics fields include the development of new
fragrances, dyes, and skin treatments, and
formulations.
? Environmental Science Environmental
scientists attempt to understand how the
environment operates and how human interaction
affects the environment. Career opportunities
exist with academic, government, and industrial
employers.
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Chemistry-related Careers - contd
? Health Professions Students use chemistry
degrees as a stepping stone to a variety of
health professional schools. Physicians
Dentists Veterinarians Pharmacists
Hospital Lab Technicians Chemistry provides
critical thinking skills that are important for
these professions.
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Chemistry-related Careers - contd
? Chemical Information Specialists
Scientific writing for technical journals, trade
magazines, and industry Abstracting/database
production Museum jobs
? Intellectual Property This is the general
term used to describe patentable discoveries. The
two main categories are Patent Agents - work
for government to examine patent applications
Patent Attorneys - lawyers hired by those
applying for patents Often requires a law
degree!!
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Chemistry-related Careers - contd
? Chemical Engineering Often confused with
straight chemistry, chemical engineering
usually involves Producing useful chemical
products in commercial quantity Designing
plants required for the production Developing
waste management systems Generally speaking,
chemists develop the basic ideas, and the
engineers make them more practical!
? Material Science Developing new materials
with industrial applications.
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What Next?
It is clear that many of the jobs mentioned
require further education beyond the 4-year BS
degree. Depending on what you want to do, you can
either look for a job directly out of college, or
consider a graduate program or professional
school. Before making the decision, really think
about what you want to do and where you want to
be. No decision has to be final! You can always
change your mind!