Some Career Choices for the Chemistry Student

AREAS OF CHEMISTRY

Agricultural Chemist - Agricultural chemists study the chemical composition of soil and the chemical needs of crops and animals. They may develop methods and provide information to improve product quality and worker, consumer, and environmental safety.

Sample Work Places - Academic and governmental research labs, agricultural extension services, industry, regulatory agencies

Analytical Chemist - Analytical chemists study the composition of matter and the amounts of different chemicals in it.

Sample Work Places - Manufacturing, academic institutions, environmental and governmental regulatory bodies.

Biochemist - Biochemists study the complex chemical structures and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth and heredity. It requires a strong background in chemistry and biology. Recommended skills are: the ability to work in a laboratory setting, use instrumentation, perform mathematical calculations, evaluate data and write reports. A strong background in both chemistry and biology is recommended.

Sample Work Places - Diagnostic testing, product development, and basic research in laboratories for industry, medicine, universities and other research institutes.

Chemical Engineer - Chemical engineers apply chemistry, others sciences and mathematics to solve technical problems in industry, the environment, and other areas of concern.

Sample Work Places - Manufacturing industries of almost all types, from food to electronics, governmental agencies, higher education

Environmental Chemist - The effects of both natural and industrial origin on the environment are studies by environmental chemists.

Sample Work Places - Governmental agencies, environmental groups, public health organizations, manufacturing and waste disposal industries

Food Chemist - Food chemists develop new food products and test food safety, nutritional qualities, preparation, and preservation.

Sample Work Places - Food and beverage industries, higher education, government regulatory agencies

Geochemist - Geochemists study the chemicals located in the earth. Their focus may be either environmental, for example disposing of toxic wastes, or commercial, for example exploring for oil. Many work with geologists and in outdoor locations worldwide. For many careers in geochemistry, an advanced degree is necessary.

Sample Work Places - Potential terrestrial or aquatic oil or gas fields, mines, construction sties

Inorganic Chemist - Inorganic chemists synthesize inorganic compounds (those not composed of carbon) and organometallic compounds and study their properties.

Sample Work Places - Chemical industries of almost all types, electronics industry, mining industry, environmental organizations and academia

Instrumentation Specialist - Instrumentation chemists use specialized equipment to produce or to analyze chemicals.

Sample Work Places - Industry, academia, governmental and private agencies

Medicinal Chemist - The chemicals that are used as drugs, to treat disease, are studies and developed by medicinal chemists.

Sample Work Places - Basic and applied research laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry and in governmental agencies and academia

Organic Chemist - Molecules containing the element carbon are the focus of organic chemistry. Organic chemists may do basic research on the synthesis of new organic compounds and on the properties of these compounds. Manufacturing and testing of a wide variety of materials, from plastics to foods, requires application of organic chemistry knowledge.

Sample Work Places - Academic settings, a broad variety of manufacturing industries, medical laboratories, and governmental agencies

Petroleum Chemist - Chemists participate in the oil and petroleum industry by investigating sources of crude oil, developing methods to process it, and studying the chemicals produced from it.

Sample Work Places - Industrial positions can be found in oil exploration and refining, laboratory research and production, and sales. Positions may also be found in academia, governmental regulatory agencies and other industries.

Pharmaceutical Chemist - To develop drugs to treat specific disease conditions, pharmaceutical chemists apply their knowledge of both chemistry and biology.

Sample Work Places - Basic and applied research laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry and in governmental agencies and academia

Physical Chemist - Physical chemists study both matter and energy and seek to explain chemical phenomena.

Sample Work Places - Industry, academia and governmental agencies

Polymer Chemist - Polymers are large organic molecules composed of repeating small subunits. They are developed for specific properties and applications by polmer chemists.

Sample Work Places - Chemical industries, universities

MANUFACTURING

Chemical Manufacturing - A wide variety of chemicals, both organic and inorganic, are produced for further use in the food, household products, paint, biomedical, and other industries or for research purposes in academic, governmental or clinical facilities. Chemists develop processes to manufacture these chemicals and to monitor their quality and their application.

Sample Work Places - Various private industries, some academic institutions

Cosmetics and Perfumes - Chemists formulate and produce cosmetics and fragrances for the consumer or for further manufacturing. These products must meet safety as well as aesthetic standards.

Sample Work Places - Industrial laboratories and factories, medical and governmental agencies

Food and Flavorings - Chemists in the foods and flavorings industries develop chemicals to enhance the flavor, taste, nutritional value, and storage quality of foods, beverages, and medicines.

Sample Work Places - Food and beverage industries, academic laboratories, governmental and nutrition-related agencies

Paints and Colorants - Chemists participate in the development of newer and safer products to be used in a variety of paints, coatings, and other applications.

Sample Work Places - Industrial settings

Petroleum Products - Chemists in the petrochemical industry develop and improve petroleum products as energy sources, lubricants, and plastics. In addition, they work to improve the safety and environmental impact of industrial processes.

Sample Work Places - Industrial settings

Pharmaceuticals - The pharmaceutical industry employs chemists to develop and produce products to treat or prevent disease.

Sample Work Places - Industrial and academic settings

Polymers - New materials, such as plastics, fibers, and coatings, for many different and specific functions are developed and evaluated by chemists in the polymer industry.

Sample Work Places - Industrial settings, governmental and scientific agencies

MEDICAL CAREERS

Dentist and Related Professions - For the person interested in helping people maintain dental or oral health, there are a number of careers. Dentists have doctoral degrees, provide routine dental care, and treat diseases and other problems of the mouth and teeth. In addition to general dentistry, there are specialty areas, such as oral surgery, periodontics, orthodontics all requiring additional training. Other members of the dental team include dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental laboratory technicians.

Sample Work Places - Private practices, hospitals, dental schools, other institutions. Dental assistants and dental hygienists typically work under the supervision of dentists. Dental laboratory technicians work in private laboratories or laboratories associated with dental practices.

Medical Lab Technician/Medical Technologist - Both medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians perform tests on specimens from patients and provide the results to physicians. Medical lab technicians work under the supervision of medical technologists.

Sample Work Places - Laboratories in hospitals, clinics, other institutions, industry as well as private laboratories.

Pharmacist - Pharmacists dispense drugs that are prescribed by doctors as well as educate the patients about the drugs. Other pharmacists formulate drugs or develop medications and study their effects.

Sample Work Places - Private businesses, hospitals, other medical facilities, universities, industry.

Physician - Becoming a physician requires, after a bachelor's degree, four years of medical school and then several years of specialized training. Physicians not only treat disease and injuries, but also help patients remain healthy. There are specialties based on the patient's age (pediatrics, gerontology) or the body system (cardiology, dermatology). Physicians may have either an M.D. (Medical Doctor) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree.

Sample Work Places - Private or group practice, hospitals, public health agencies, educational institutions, correctional facilities, industry.

Physician Assistant - Physician Assistants work under the supervision of physicians to perform routing examinations and to examine, diagnose, and treat diseases.

Sample Work Places - Hospitals, clinics, private practices, schools and correctional institutions.

Veterinarian - Veterinarians are medical professionals who provide routine care of animals and diagnose and treat their medical problems. Routine care can include regular health check-ups and inoculations. For ill or injured animals, veterinarians can prescribe medication and perform surgery. Some veterinarians treat only small animals, while others care for large animals such as horses and cattle. Some veterinarians specialize in specific areas of disease after additional training.

Sample Work Places - Private practices, animal hospitals, medical and academic research institutions, zoos, government agencies and industry.

SCIENCE AND THE PUBLIC

Art Conservator - Art conservation experts work to restore and preserve a variety of works of art or of historical importance using chemical principles.

Sample Work Places - Museums, academics, private industry

Chemical Salesperson - Chemists use their scientific background when selling products to manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

Sample Work Places - Private industry

Forensic Scientist - Forensic scientists examine evidence from scenes of crimes, accidents, or disasters and then testify as expert witnesses about their findings. Excellent speaking and writing skills are essential in addition to excellent scientific ability.

Sample Work Places - Courts, government agencies, law enforcement departments, laboratories, medical examiner offices, independent practice.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist - These specialists use their science backgrounds to detect, identify and correct dangerous conditions and to develop systems to prevent accidents.

Sample Work Places - Industry, government, academic institutions, environmental groups, labor organizations, and private organizations

Science Writer - Science writers should have a strong background and interest in medicine or science as well as training in a specialized field. They may write for professional scientific or medical journals, or they may interpret scientific material for general readers. They often organize and edit information for advertising or public relations.

Sample Work Places - Newspapers, magazines, professional science publications, scientific or medical journals, books and textbook publishers.

Teacher - Teachers work in classrooms with content-based material, depending on the subject. An advanced degree is needed for college-level teaching, and many public schools systems require state certification, although private schools will hire a qualified candidate without certification.

There are opportunities to teach all age groups, from preschoolers to senior citizens about living things. For preschool, elementary school and high school education courses as well as biology and other sciences courses are part of the program. To teach biological sciences in a college or university, a master's or doctor's degree is usually required.

Sample Work Places - Public and private schools and colleges, hospitals, private health or environmental organizations.

Water Treatment Specialist - Chemists work in careers that assure the safety of water supplies and of water that enters the environment.

Sample Work Places - Government agencies, industry, private organizations