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This question is frequently asked by college
students involved in the career decision making process. This guide contains only a
partial list of occupational titles and career fields that may be of interest to students
considering a chemistry major. In addition to the skills and knowledge gained
through your college course work in this major, you may also need to acquire career
related work experience, additional work related skills and/or additional education.
Some of the occupations require an advanced degree to enter the field.
After you have identified possible
occupations of interest to you, it is important to investigate the nature of work;
education and training requirements; skills and special talents needed; types of
employers; future trends and employment outlook related to each of these careers. To
obtain this information, you may want to research these occupations by reading the books
and literature available in the Philadelphia House Career Resource Library, by reviewing
the information available on the internet, and by contacting related professional
associations.
This guide also provides information about
obtaining related work experience including links to possible internships.
However for the best information on current, local internships contact Sally
Cardenas, Director of Internships and Community-Based Learning at 562-464-4533
or email her at scardenas@whittier.edu.
Career Options
Typical Employers
Chemical companies, colleges and universities, conservation agencies,
consulting firms, cosmetic companies, engineering firms, environmental agencies, food and
beverage companies, forensic and medical labs, genetic engineering laboratories,
government agencies, hospitals and clinics, insurance companies, medical libraries,
medical laboratories, petroleum companies, pharmaceutical companies, public schools,
research institutes
Liberal Arts Related
Occupations
(click here for more career options)

Marketable Skills associated with
Chemistry Major
- Ability to make critical observations and appropriate decisions
- Decision making and problem solving
- Ability to operate scientific instruments, equipment and computers
- Ability to organize and maintain accurate records; aptitude for accurate details
- Ability to conduct and clearly explain scientific research; ability to understand and
express complex scientific and technical information
- Using knowledge of life sciences to solve problems in industry, agriculture and medicine
- Strong mathematical background
- Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and memorization

Getting Career Related Work Experience
To be competitive in today's job market and to improve your
qualifications for graduate school, gaining career related work experience while you are a
college student is very important.
Career related work experience can include
various forms of paid and volunteer experience (i.e. internships, some work study
positions, summer or part-time jobs in your career field of interest, possibly
fellowships, and some volunteer positions)
Chemistry Related Internships

Sources of Career and Employment
Information
Career Information Links
Employer Information Links

Graduate School Information
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