Graduates with a degree in chemistry have a wide variety of career options to explore. Factors that influence which options might be available include the type of degree received (associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate) as well as the area of specialization within the field. Some employers prefer graduates with a specialized chemistry degree rather than a general chemistry degree, because the employers are seeking someone who has studied the particularities of a certain field, be it medicinal chemistry, forensic science or something else.
Forensic Science
Forensic science professionals work alongside law enforcement to help solve crimes. While forensic science doesn’t necessarily require a degree in a biological science (jobs are available both inside a lab and out in the field), chemistry graduates have plenty of career opportunities working as forensic science technicians in laboratories, where they can help analyze crime-scene findings and evidence to try to establish cause and time of the crime, as well as look for clues left behind. Chemistry degrees are especially useful for those investigating crimes against property, as the expert would have to analyze physical, rather than biological, clues left behind. Part of the job involves analyzing samples of body fluids or chemicals (paint, drugs, textiles), sorting evidence, recording findings and preparing reports, working alongside police and crime investigators to piece together the crime scene, and sometimes providing expert testimony in courtrooms or in front of law enforcement officers. Forensic science technicians earned between $35,000 and $50,000 in 2009, according to PayScale.
Laboratories and Industrial Settings
Many who graduate with a chemistry degree end up working in laboratories, as their training allows them to understand medical testing, drug manufacturing, chemical production, lab testing and research. However, not all lab settings in which chemists may work are related to the health industry. Examples include labs in biotechnology, geochemistry, agricultural systems, metallurgy and production industries from plastic to ceramics. However, testing laboratories, especially those connected to the pharmaceutical industry, constitute a large portion of the employment options available, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary for chemistry majors working in labs and industrial settings jobs was $58,000 in 2009 according to SimplyHired.
Teaching and Lecturing
For those who want to teach, high school and university teaching and lecturing are options, but a degree in chemistry, especially at the graduate level, can open other doors. For example, those who pursue a specialization may be able to provide continuing education training to professionals, as well as participate as guest speakers in conferences and seminars. A doctoral degree is required for most college chemistry professor positions. Alternative routes are available, especially for those who plan to act mostly as guest speakers rather than seek a post as a tenure-track professor. Scientific journalism is another option for those who prefer the written word. As writers and authors, those with a degree in chemistry will most likely specialize in covering technological innovations and their impact on the scientific and everyday world. According to SimplyHired, a chemistry professor in the U.S. could expect to earn an average of $48,000 in 2009, although there is a wide range in salaries depending on many factors.
References
Biospace.com: Biotech and Pharmaceutical News & Jobs
Careers in Chemistry (Duke University)
Chemistry Education and Career Options (American Chemical Society)
Salaries for Chemistry Careers (Lab and Industrial Settings)
Forensic Science Degree Salary
Chemistry Professor Salaries
