Career Opportunities with a
Major in Chemistry

 

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, dentistry, 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 chemistry major.  Click on highlighted jobs for more information on training, income and job outlook.  The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which chemistry majors may consider.

 

Many of these jobs also require education beyond an

associate’s and bachelor's degree.

 

Agronomist	Anesthesiologist	Astronomer
Biochemist	Bioengineer	Ceramic Engineer
Chemical 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 Laboratory Technician	Medical Librarian
Medical Scientist	Meteorologist	Osteopathologist
Patient Examiner	Perfumer	Pharmacist
Pharmacologist	Physical Therapist	Physicist
Police Chemist	Pollution Controller	Public Health Educator
Soil Scientist	Teacher	Toxicologist
Water Quality Analyst

 

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

·  CCA Science Department Website

·  Associate of Science (AS)

 

·  Chemistry Resume Sample

 

 

• 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
• Society of the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
• 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 has been obtained from numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.