Degree in Chemistry
Graduates with a degree in chemistry have the skills that can help them find work in several industries. They also have higher earning potentials than their peers in the liberal arts field. Chemistry is often called the "central science" because it plays very important roles in most science fields.
As a result, someone with a degree in chemistry can conveniently find work in:
- Industrial chemistry
- Academic institutions
- Government establishments
- Forensic chemistry and
- Medical industry
Industries That Seek Graduates in Chemistry
Most research and development companies such as Dow and Monsanto need qualified chemists that can create, design and analyze products before sending them to the market. A chemist in a company researches to identify new technologies or improve on the existing ones. Although the studies are conducted by PhD chemists, there are still research positions for bachelor’s and master's degree graduates to fill in while they are supervised by the PhD chemists. Even when sales representatives are needed, most chemical companies prefer employing chemists because they will be able to give more details about the product to any of their potential buyers.
Careers for Those with a Degree in Chemistry
Although this does not sound very true to students, teachers in high schools, community colleges and universities are not assigned subjects (to teach) at random. To become a teacher in a college or university, you are expected to have at least a master's degree while a high school teacher should have a bachelor's degree in the science subject he wants to teach. Graduates who are very passionate about teaching usually find it very interesting to educate other students on the importance of physical science.
Government Bodies Where Chemistry Graduates Find Work
Regulatory bodies in the US such as EPA, FDA, FBI and ATF frequently employ skilled technicians that can perform analytical services and perform extensive research. In addition, there are several government laboratories in the US where chemistry graduates with BSc, MSc and PhD are employed to carry out studies in various fields. Biochemists and analytical chemists are also often needed in Forensic science where they work in the labs to perform tests that help to identify criminals.
What is the Earning Potential of Graduates with a Chemistry Degree?
Individuals with a degree in chemistry have high earning potentials. Several surveys have been conducted by reputable firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers to confirm the fact that graduates of chemistry are able to secure jobs in various industries once they graduate; these industries normally offer them very high salaries. In fact, other studies have also confirmed that people with a degree in chemistry (and physics) usually earn more than 30% of what others without the degree earn, even when they perform similar tasks. With a bachelor's degree in chemistry, individuals can even earn at least 12% more than their friends in the liberal arts field. This means that if a graduate who studied liberal arts earns $30,000 per year, a graduate in a science filed like chemistry will earn around $36,000 per year. Examples of courses in liberal arts include English, history and psychology.
