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Career Opportunities for Majors in Chemistry
The objective of chemistry is to gain a fundamental understanding of the structure and transformations of matter at the molecular level. Chemistry can either be pursued as a search for knowledge for its own sake or as a method for improving the quality of life. Often, the two endeavors, basic and applied chemistry, cannot be differentiated.
We are very fortunate at this momentous time for chemistry because of our greatly increased ability to prove, analyze, and interpret the elemental steps of chemical change in complex structures. Monumental discoveries in the areas of chemical kinetics, chemical theory, catalysis, materials synthesis, life processes and analytical methodology are constantly appearing. These changes often provide social benefits in the fields of energy, process management, materials science, agriculture and food supply, health care, biotechnology and the environment.
Chemists play important roles in all aspects of the economy. Many are involved in research and product development, making discoveries that contribute to a healthy population and a dynamic, productive economy. Others manage large organizations and laboratories, while still others teach or are involved in service-related fields. As with other occupations, personal qualifications, education, ability, and ambition determine success within the profession.
Many current materials describing career opportunities in chemistry are available in the Undergraduate and Graduate Affairs Coordinator's Office, 2016 Malott.
Opportunities abound for chemists desiring careers in research. Of the nearly 200,000 chemists in the work force, roughly two-thirds are engaged in research. The majority of these are employed by the chemical, pharmaceutical and related industries, while a significant number are employed by academic institutions, and a somewhat smaller number by government.
About three-fourths of the industrial research is applied research, which is designed to find solutions to some specific need of society. For instance, products such as biodegradable detergents and fast-acting, short-lived insecticides were developed as a result of growing concern for the environment.
Industrial laboratories also conduct a significant amount of basic research, which is primarily intended to broaden our knowledge. Such research, however, often leads to the introduction of new marketable products. For example, new synthetic fibers, plastics, and polymers have been developed as a result of fundamental studies of large molecules in industrial laboratories.
Research conducted at academic institutions is generally fundamental in nature. Such research constitutes the first component of the unique, four-fold mission entrusted to universities - to create, assimilate, preserve, and transmit scholarly knowledge.
Federal, state, and local governments also hire large numbers of chemists for a multitude of needs. Environmental agencies, for example, employ chemists to a analyze air, water, and soil samples for pollutants. Transportation departments employ chemists to develop better road surfaces, while health and law-enforcement agencies employ chemists in investigative roles. Chemists in the federal government often work in areas of environment, quality control, national defense, fundamental research, and consulting.
Industry and governmental agencies hire chemists with bachelors, masters and doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees. Most administrative positions such as a project or group leader require the Ph.D. However, there are exceptions in which a chemist with a master's degree may take on considerable administrative responsibility. Advancement for chemists in the private and civil service sectors can be frequently achieved in administration. Therefore, chemists interested in advancement must develop their skills in communication, business and human relations as well as in chemistry.
Educating the next generation of scientists begins in kindergarten and continues through graduate school. Participating in this process at any level is an exciting and rewarding adventure. Secondary schools, colleges and major universities all need people who are proficient in teaching chemistry and in training other scientists. The degree requirements for those who teach depend upon the nature of the institution. Nationally there is an enormous undersupply of middle and secondary science teachers. Secondary schools usually prefer a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry with sufficient course work to teach in related fields such as mathematics and physics. Colleges and small universities prefer faculty who have earned the Ph.D. Under certain circumstances, some institutions may hire a person with a masters degree. At major universities, where a Ph.D. degree is required, faculty members are expected to teach and to be productive in research as well; this not only helps them keep abreast of new developments, but also helps to maintain their enthusiasm for transmitting new knowledge to others. Currently a number of chemistry departments in the U.S. are offering Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in chemical education.
Industry employs chemists to help the company solve problems with product applications and development. Chemists who enjoy traveling and dealing with people make good sales personnel. This lucrative occupation requires presenting the company's goods and services in a favorable light to a wide range of clients.
Technical representatives provide on-site testing and product performance evaluations. Often these people are called in to investigate poor product performance or component failure. Therefore, they not only must be well-trained as chemists, but also must have excellent interpersonal skills.
Marketing personnel target prospective clients for sales representatives. They must understand the product or service they market, and also know how to identify the industrial segment they target.
Training in business administration as well as academic degrees in chemistry are beneficial for individuals in these vocations.
Chemical librarians work for universities, government and industry. They usually hold a bachelors degree in chemistry and a masters degree in library science. Science information services such as Chemical Abstracts store, retrieve, and transmit chemical information as needed. Abstracts and surveys are entered in a computation data base by experts in chemistry. In addition to having a chemistry degree ranging up to the Ph.D., the information specialist needs to have expertise in programming and operating computers. Opportunities in this area are expected to increase rapidly with the increasing importance of the internet, the world-wide web, and other electronic means of data and information storage and retrieval.
Chemical science writers are employed by corporations, news media and magazines to prepare technical manuals, feature articles, public information releases, and sales brochures. These people should have training in and a flair for writing as well as a bachelors degree in chemistry. The American Chemical Society and commercial publishers employ chemists as abstractors, editors and reporters. Some of these jobs require either formal or on the job training in journalism.
A company protects its products and processes with patents, and also uses other companies' patents to inspire new products. Most patent attorneys working in chemical processes and products have chemistry degrees up to the doctorate in addition to a law degree. This highly demanding profession can be quite lucrative.
In most office jobs in the chemical industry, a chemistry degree is a useful first degree. The second degree in most cases would be the two-year master of business administration or a law degree. This applies to areas such as finance, accounting, investment management, data processing, systems analysis and management.
Starting salaries for beginning full-time chemists are dependent upon such things as location, type of employer and level of education. Current statistics (updated yearly) by the Office of Manpower Studies of the American Chemical Society are available in the Undergraduate and Graduate Affairs Coordinator's Office, 2016 Malott.
The University Placement Service, located on the lower level of the Burge Union, is a valuable resource for students seeking permanent employment. It provides advice and assistance in resume writing, preparing for an interview and locating potential employers. Other information is available in the Undergraduate and Graduate Affairs Coordinator's Office, 2016 Malott.
Representatives from a number of companies come to campus during the academic year to conduct interviews with students interested in industrial positions. These interviews may be held either at the Placement Service or in Malott Hall. Bulletins listing the companies that are interested in employing chemists are available the from the Placement Service or in the Undergraduate and Graduate Affairs Coordinator's Office, 2016 Malott Hall, and are posted in the hall across from the main Chemistry Department Office, 2010 Malott Hall. The departmental secretary will assist students in making the necessary arrangements for Malott Hall interviews.
A list of companies in the Kansas City metropolitan area that employs or places chemists is available in the Undergraduate and Graduate Affairs Coordinator's Office, 2016 Malott. In most instances students will need to contact these companies themselves since representatives are rarely sent to the campus. The Undergraduate and Graduate Affairs Coordinator's Office also has materials–interviewing and resume-writing tips–especially geared to chemists.
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