Chemistry Careers: Beyond Bunsen Burners #1

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by Kate Brooks

"Because of my chemistry major, I feel that I am a resourceful person, able to learn about new things by reading and researching. I can present well to an audience, and I can teach complex information to both patients and parents at a level they will understand, as well as to medical residents and colleagues."
-Pediatric infectious disease specialist, Dickinson College alumnus

"My chemistry major helped me to develop analytical reasoning skills, and I learned to consider alternative viewpoints."
-Organic chemist working in industry, Dickinson College alumnus

Do you know someone whose life was saved by:

• the injection of epinephrine after a bee sting?
• an airbag?
• tempered glass, which doesn't shatter on impact?

Then you need to thank a chemist.

Chemists are the unsung heroes in the sciences. Their work is often behind the scenes and not always understood by the general public. And the media doesn't help with its portrayals of "mad" scientists destroying the earth, not to mention "Beaker," the Muppet who regularly blows up his lab.

Chemistry seldom makes the top 10 list of glamorous careers. But for people with inquisitive minds who are creative, persistent, interested in solving problems, think independently, work well with details, have keen powers of observation, and follow logical paths of reasoning, chemistry offers challenging and quite fulfilling career opportunities.

Chemistry can be both an independent and a collaborative science, so self-discipline and teamwork ability are important.

Chemistry is the basic building block for other sciences, and blends well with other specialties. A chemistry major can be combined with courses in biology, geology, or other sciences, business management, or communications to develop careers in such areas as biomedical research, pharmaceutical sales, or science communications.

Students who wish to succeed in chemistry should get as comprehensive an education as possible. Develop a strong base of knowledge of mathematics and the sciences (not just chemistry). Take courses in communications, the arts, literature, and other humanities. And perhaps most importantly, seek out experiences in the laboratory. Work closely with your professors and assist with their research projects when possible. Seek summer employment and internship opportunities which will expose you to chemists working in a variety of settings so you can decide where your interests lie.

What do chemists do?

Chemists:

• identify and solve problems. Chemists apply logic, scientific thinking and knowledge of natural laws to solve problems.
• create new products to solve problems. They have to consider whether something can be produced profitably and can be patented, not to mention analyze its safety and environmental impact.
• observe and analyze. Chemists must understand the composition, structure, properties, and transformations of natural and man-made substances.
• have strongly developed technical knowledge. Chemists must have a thorough understanding of how laboratory and computer controlled equipment is developed, along with expertise in setting up, standardizing and using scientific instruments.

Where do chemists work?

About half of all chemists work in research, with about two-thirds of the bachelor's-level chemistry graduates working in the for-profit sector.

Chemistry majors also work in educational settings and in government. A small percentage are employed with nonprofit charities or research foundations. The unemployment rate among chemists is generally lower than the national average.

A recent survey of Dickinson College alumni revealed that an overwhelmingly large proportion of graduates with chemistry degrees work as analytic chemists in a variety of settings including:

• Chemical manufacturing companies
• Cosmetic companies
• Environmental assessment firms
• Manufacturing and processing firms
• Medical laboratories
• Petroleum companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Utility companies

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