Career Opportunities with a Major in Chemistry
Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.
Chemistry provides answers to questions about the living and material world around us. Knowledge of chemistry is essential to understanding fields ranging from cell biology to materials science. In addition to careers directly related to chemistry and criminalistics, Chemistry majors find employment opportunities in such diverse fields as medicine, veterinary medicine, chiropractic medicine, osteopathy, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, physical therapy, denistry, dental hygiene, medical technology, engineering and law. Knowledge of chemistry is crucial to environmental protection efforts as well as to mankind's health and safety.
SKILLS RELATED TO CHEMISTRY
- Ability to make critical observations and appropriate decisions
- Ability to operate scientific equipment
- Ability to organize and maintain accurate records
- Good vision and manual dexterity
- Ability to conduct and clearly explain scientific research
- Strong mathematical background
- Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and memorization
- Sensitivity to the health and safety of others
- Ability to analyze data and find new ways of doing things
The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a chemistry major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which chemistry majors may consider.
Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.
| Agronomist | Anesthesiologist | Astronomer |
| Biochemist | Ceramic Engineer | Chemist |
| Consumer Protection Specialist | Dental Hygienist | Dentist |
| Dietician | Doctor | Engineer |
| Environmental Engineer | Food and Drug Analyst | Food Technologist |
| Geneticist | Hospital Administrator | Hydrologist |
| Industrial Health Engineer | Information Scientist | Inorganic Chemist |
| Laboratory Analyst | Lawyer | Medical Librarian |
| Optometrist | Osteopathologist | Patent Examiner |
| Perfumer | Pharmacist | Pharmacologist |
| Physical Therapist | Physicist | Police Chemist |
| Pollution Controller | Public Health Educator | Soil Scientist |
| Teacher | Toxicologist | Water Quality Analyst |
| Bioengineer | Chemical Engineer | Medical Laboratory Technician |
| Medical Scientist | Meteorologist |
EMPLOYERS IN CHEMISTRY
- Beverage Companies
- Chemical Industries
- Colleges/Universities
- Cosmetic Companies
- Consulting Firms
- Distributors
- Engineering Firms
- Food/Product Companies
- Government Agencies
- Hospitals
- Medical Libraries
- Medical Supply Companies
- Professional/Technical Journals
- Medical Laboratories
- Petroleum Companies
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Research Firms
- Technical Libraries
- Textile Manufacturers
WEB SITES RELATED TO CHEMISTRY
Metro State Chemistry Department Website
- Chemistry Hypermedia Project
- Chemistry Software and Information Resources
- Chemistry Virtual Library
- Chemistry WebBook
- ChemWeb
- Chemcyclopedia
- Combustion Institute
- Council for Chemical Research
- Cyber Science
- Global Information Network on Chemicals
- MedSearch
- Online Health Resources: Medicine
- Physical Reference Data
- Sciencejobs.com
- STNeasy
- U.S. National Library of Medicine - Grateful Med
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS FIELD
- American Chemical Society
www.acs.org -
American Institute of Chemists
www.theaic.org -
Association of Analytical Communities
www.aoac.org -
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
www.aapg.org -
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
www.aaps.org -
American Ceramic Society
www.acers.org/ -
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
www.faseb.org/asbmb -
American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
http://aslo.org/ -
American Society for Quality Control
www.asqc.org/ -
American Society for Testing and Materials
www.astm.org/ -
ASM International: The Materials Information Society
www.asm-intl.org/
The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.