CHEMISTRY What can I do with this major? AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES ANY CHEMISTRY DISCIPLINE Product Development Government: Develop strong verbal, written, teamwork and prob- Process Development U.S. Food and Drug Administration lem-solving skills. Analysis U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Choose courses with laboratory components to build Testing U.S. Department of Agriculture experimental and instrumentation skills. Biotechnology (using living organisms or cell pro- National Institutes of Health Gain experience in area of interest through intern- cesses to make useful products) Public health departments ships, research with professors and/or complete Consulting Industries: a senior research project. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, Consider taking a course in grant writing. Management feed, cosmetics, agricultural, environmental, Earn master's degree in chemistry for advanced posi- Environmental Analyses petroleum, consumer products tions, greater responsibility and higher pay. Forensics Private research labs and organizations Obtain Ph.D. to direct research projects and lead Colleges and universities research teams. Consulting firms Enroll in undergraduate research early in your college career. (Chem200+Chem400) Only some of the areas of specialization follow. Most students specialize at the graduate level. AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY Agricultural Production: crops and livestock Government: Agricultural chemistry addresses the chemical Agrichemicals Development: herbicides, pesticides, U.S. Department of Agriculture processes associated with the production, fungicides, fertilizers, etc. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency protection and usage of crops and livestock. Agrichemicals Testing U.S. Food and Drug Administration Maintain awareness of current environmental Environmental Testing Food and feed industries issues including policy, conservation, and indus- Regulation Agricultural chemical companies try trends. Plant and animal breeders and growers Pursue coursework in biology, biochemistry, water chemistry, soil chemistry, geology, etc. to support understanding of environmental impact. Develop strong verbal and written communication skills for work with interdisciplinary teams. Seek related experience through co-ops, internships, or part-time jobs in specialized area of interest. (Chemistry, Page 2) AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Qualitative Analysis Government: Analytical chemistry focuses on determining the Quantitative Analysis U.S. Environmental Protection Agency composition and structure of matter and has Instrumentation Design U.S. Food and Drug Administration applications to all areas of chemistry. Experimental Design National Labs Seek extensive laboratory and research experience Separations (mass spectrometry, chromtography) Industries: along with courses in quantitative, qualitative Spectroscopy Chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, and instrumental analyses. Chemometrics/statistics feed, cosmetics, agricultural, environmental, Pursue advanced instrumentation and computer petroleum, consumer products, legal, medical skills along with knowledge of statistics. Private research labs and organizations Develop attention to detail and strong problem solv- Chemical instrumentation companies ing skills. Consulting firms Take electives in your field of interest, as some employers seek candidates with expertise in particular areas of analysis such as environment or pharmaceuticals. Obtain knowledge of fundamental business prin- ciples to assist in meeting the goals of industry. BIOCHEMISTRY Healthcare Government: Biochemistry references the study of chemical Pharmaceuticals Centers for Disease Control and Prevention properties within living systems. Environment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Consider taking courses to specialize in biology, Agriculture U.S. Food and Drug Administration molecular biology, genetics, biophysics or bio- Food Science U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and physical methods, as this field is often linked to Cosmetics Inspection Service other disciplines. Forensics Industries: chemical, pharmaceutical, waste man- Develop excellent laboratory and computer skills. agement, environmental, food, feed, healthcare, Strong oral and written communications skills biotechnology, plant and animal breeders and are necessary for working with teams of scien- growers tists. Private research laboratories and organizations Seek undergraduate research opportunities with Public health departments professors and plan to complete internships Hospital laboratories related to your area of interest. Commercial medical laboratories Join related professional organizations such as the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- lar Biology. (Chemistry, Page 3) AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Bulk Chemicals (mass produced large quantities) Government: Discipline combines chemistry and engineer- Fine Chemicals (custom-produced small quantities) U.S. Department of Energy ing to solve problems involving the use or Consumer Products U.S. Environmental Protection Agency production of chemicals. Biotechnology U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Consider double majors in chemistry and engineer- Pharmaceuticals U.S. Department of Agriculture ing. Electronics Industries: Develop exceptional communication and interper- Environmental Safety and Health Agrichemicals, industrial bulk and fine chemi- sonal skills for work on multidisciplinary teams. Fuels and Energy Conversion cals, food, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, Attention to detail is crucial. Materials cosmetics, environmental textiles, petroleum, Pursue experimental design, data interpretation and consumer products, automotive, pulp and problem solving competence through course- paper, rubber, electronics, plastics, energy work and research with professors. Private research labs and organizations Seek internship or co-op experiences in the chemi- cal engineering field. Join professional associations such as American Institute of Chemical Engineers to maintain cur- rent knowledge of opportunities in the field. Research Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam requirements, as this exam is typically the first step in becoming a Professional Engineer (PE). Consider a concentration in Sustainability to pursue field in Green (or Sustainable) Chemistry. GEOCHEMISTRY Geochemistry includes study of the liquids, Analysis Government: gases and mineral deposits of rock to guide Testing U.S. Department of Energy scientific and industrial applications. Environmental Regulation U.S. Geological Survey Build a strong background in analytical, physical Environmental Remediation U.S. Office of Surface Mining and environmental chemistry. Pursue courses Environmental management firms in hydrology, sedimentology, toxicology, plant Consulting firms ecology, oceanography for environmental work. Oceanographic research institutes Plan to take courses with laboratory components Mining companies and seek geochemistry part-time jobs and internships. Maintain awareness of current environmental issues including policy, conservation, and industry trends for entry into environmental management or remediation. Geochemists working with the oil industry may work in areas where deposits are found. The industry is subject to fluctuation making some work contractual. Join the Geological Society of America and other environmental organizations. (Chemistry, Page 4) AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Analysis Government: Inorganic chemistry addresses the behavior of Testing U.S. Department of Agriculture inorganic and organometallic compounds Synthesis U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and how these materials can be modified for Environmental Remediation U.S. Geological Survey product applications. Energy National Aeronautics and Space Administration Prepare a strong background in inorganic chemistry Information Technology Industries (inorganic materials): with classes in physics, materials science and Consumer Products Mining, microchip, computer manufacturers, chemical engineering. ceramics, superconductive metals Develop excellent communication skills for work with Private research labs and organizations other disciplines including materials scientists, Environmental management firms physicists and engineers. Consulting firms Seek experimental design and analytical research chemistry experience. Inquire about grant writing training, as the inorganic chemistry job market is tight, and some scien- tists are required to solicit monetary support for their work through government, industry and private foundations. MATERIALS SCIENCE Metallurgy Government: Materials science focuses on the development Ceramics U.S. Department of Energy of new materials and the improvement of Plastics/Polymers U.S. Department of Defense existing ones. Composites National Aeronautics Space Administration Earn an undergraduate degree in chemistry, engi- Semiconductors and Electronic Materials National Labs neering or physics for entry into the materials Optical Materials Industries: science field. Biomaterials Automobile, appliance, electronic, aerospace Build laboratory and research experience as an un- Nanomaterials equipment, machinery, biomedical, communica- dergraduate through coursework, projects with Extraction/Synthesis tions, sporting goods, security, paint/coatings, professors, co-ops or internships. Processing alternative energy production Develop effective problem solving, communica- Private research labs