What Kind Of Jobs Can I Do With My Degree In Chemistry?

An undergraduate degree in chemistry is sufficient for an entry level position as a lab coordinator, research assistant, product analyst or technical sales. A master’s degree will enable you to obtain a job in research and industrial work. You can even teach in community colleges with your master’s degree. However, to be able to teach in universities you will require a doctoral degree.

A Ph.D or a doctoral degree will also provide you an advanced job position in the management category of a company or you will be responsible for the research and development department of a company or organization.

With a degree in Chemistry you can be employed in the following organizations or industries

Federal and State Government
Environmental organizations
Water processing and natural resource organizations
Pharmaceutical companies
Perfume and cosmetic companies
Petroleum companies
Agricultural and food companies
Plant and Animal breeding companies
Waste management companies
Colleges and universities
Mining companies or organizations
Industries involved in plastic or other synthetic materials
Textile industries
Nuclear energy
Gas and electrical companies
Organization setup solely for research purposes

The above list is not an exhaustive list since a degree in chemistry can come in handy in many manufacturing businesses and organizations. There are also various government departments and agencies that require the services of individuals holding a degree in chemistry.

Let’s take a look at the various job opportunities you could have with your chemistry degree.

Career in the Government

Government departments such as defense, nuclear energy and natural resources and organizations such as NASA are the largest employers of individuals with a master’s or doctoral in chemistry.

To obtain a job in this sector you should be well versed with government policies. Obtain an internship under a university professor or complete a research program is your best option to break into this sector. You should be comfortable and knowledgeable of high technology scientific equipments and also be able to work with them. You should have a questioning mind and have strong analytical skills.

This is a highly lab based job portfolio. Hence, you should be accustomed to working in a lab and a research or experimental based environment.

The areas where you could obtain a job are

Research and development
Analysis and testing
Consulting
Environmental sciences
Defense and related technologies
Forensics
Nuclear energy
Departments within NASA

Those who have a bachelor’s degree are capable of obtaining the position of a quality control executive, carry out analytical testings or assist senior lab analysts in research work.

Career in Biotechnology

To enter the field of Biotechnology, you should have excellent computer and lab skills. It is necessary to have taken an additional course in molecular biology, cytology, biochemistry, genetics or physiology during your degree program.

You will have the following job prospects in this field

Research and Development
Analytical testing
Consulting and Quality Control
Medical research
Environment
Industrial health and safety
Hospital and other health care facility administration

During your undergraduate research you should try and get into an internship with your professors or an organization involved in the above areas. This will increase your chances of obtaining a job.

Organic Chemistry

It is advisable to have an internship or experience through assistance in laboratories or other research work carried out by university professors. In this area you have the following job prospects

Research and Development
Analysis and Testing
Quality Control
Consultancy

Industries pertaining to coal, petrol, oil, wood, plastic and food are the prime employers in this field. Also, manufacturing companies involved in developing new processes or synthetic materials recruit individuals specializing in organic chemistry. Many universities and government agencies also require expertise in this field.

Inorganic Chemistry

The job prospects in this field are more or less similar to the ones under organic chemistry. Also, experience in labs and internship in research areas also enables job placements. The main employers of individuals specializing in inorganic chemistry are

Water processing plants
Natural resource organizations
Environmental research organizations

Physical Chemistry

The job placements are pretty much the same as organic or inorganic chemistry. However, to obtain a job in this area it is necessary to have a strong mathematical base. This area also requires knowledge in social sciences and economics. Therefore, if you have taken additional courses in the aforementioned subjects then you will stand out and qualify for a job in this industry.

The federal government, colleges and universities and industries involved in nuclear, gas, light or electrical or heat energies are the main employers of individuals specializing in physical chemistry.

Geochemistry

This area has more to do with the environment and geographical sciences. Hence, you are advised to take up elective courses in these subjects during the degree program. Besides research and development and analytical testing, you will also find jobs in environmental remediation.

The prime employers in the field are industries involved in mining electronics and synthetic materials. Many research labs also require individuals with expertise in this field.

Career in Business

If you have good communication, inter personal and organization abilities then you should consider entering into the Business side of the industry.
It is necessary that you have obtained a minor in business during your degree program. Jobs that you can attain in this field are as follows

Technical sales or marketing
Pharmaceutical sales
Management and Consultancy
Industrial quality control
Research and development

In this field your employers could be companies dealing in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, paints, paper, machinery, drugs and petroleum. Many agricultural companies and waste management companies also require the services of a well qualified chemistry graduate with a business minor. It is advised that you enroll yourself in student associations such as the Financial Management Association, American Marketing Association or PR Students Society.

You even apply for a teaching job if you have obtained a certification or license to be a teacher. Or you could also be involved in the writing field where you could write or edit research journals or internet sites.

If you have a law degree in addition to your chemistry degree then you could get into patent laws or legislation. You could end up working for law firms, private practices, manufacturing companies or environmental organizations.

As you can see the options available can be endless. Supplementing your degree program with additional courses is very useful. Also, get in touch with the career services department in your college or university as they will provide you with essential information on various areas; assist you to get in touch with professionals in various fields.

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