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Chemistry

What can I do with a major in

Chemistry

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA and a BS in Chemistry, the understanding and transformation of matter at the molecular level. Students may also choose an area of emphasis such as environmental chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical physics.


Chemistry majors develop the following skills:

Analysis: Summarizing research findings; Attending to details; Analyzing data; Testing hypotheses; Developing theories; Clarifying problems; Identifying relationships between problems/solutions; Reasoning by analogy; Perceiving patterns/structures; Applying logic to problems; Evaluating data and results

Communication: Writing for technical and non-technical audiences; Organizing and reporting data; Designing charts/graphs; Informing/explaining; Reporting results and conclusions orally and in writing

Investigation: Remaining objective; Reviewing relevant data; Applying concepts; Utilizing formulas; Gathering information; Observing carefully; Asking questions; Designing experiments; Applying knowledge creatively

Technical: Processing data; Solving quantitative problems; Calculating; Tabulating data; Sampling for surveys; Using laboratory equipment; Maintaining precision and accuracy

Depending on your desired career path, additional skills may need to be developed.  Make an appointment with a career consultant to design your individual career development plan.


Build skills Beyond the Classroom

  • Join related clubs, professional associations, activities, and organizations
  • Read professional journals in the field
  • Find volunteer work in a related area
  • Find part-time employment in a similar area
  • Job shadow someone working in the field
  • Conduct an informational interview with someone working in this area of interest
  • Obtain an internship
  • Work with a mentor or alum.  Contact the Hawk to Hawk program at the KU Alumni Center.

Internship Websites

  

Employment Websites


Career Planning and Resources


Professional Associations

Sample Careers for Chemistry Majors 

Government

Skills in investigation, analysis and communication make Chemistry majors well suited for:

Career Options
Agronomist
County health department inspector
Crime Lab Analyst
EPA Inspector
Federal Drug Administration inspector
Forensic Chemist
Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforcement agent
Regulatory chemist
Safety inspector
Superfund quality assurance manager
Toxicologist
Wastewater treatment system supervisor
Water works supervisor

Potential Employers
Government Agencies: EPA, Department of Energy, OHSA, Corps of Engineers
Inspection Agencies
Law Enforcement Agencies
National Health Agencies

Industry

Skills in processing data and problem solving make Chemistry majors well suited for:

Career Options
Application chemist
Analytical chemist
Assayer
Biochemist
Certified hazardous materials manager
Chemical engineer
Chemical information specialist
Chemical salesperson
Color Development Chemist
Environmental compliance officer
Hydrogeologist
Hydrologist
Industrial hygienist
Metallurgist
Pharmaceutical research chemist
Polymer chemist
Research scientist
Textile Dyes Analyst
Wastewater Treatment Chemist
Water Purification Chemist

Potential Employers
Agricultural Research Firms
Biotechnology Firms
Commercial Testing Laboratories
Cosmetic Manufacturers
Food Processors
Industrial Production & Inspection Agencies
Laboratories/Organizations
Manufacturing Firms
Plant/Animal Breeders & Growers
Research
  

Education

Skills in communication and analysis make Chemistry majors well suited for:

Career Options
Art conservator
Laboratory manager
Museum education programs coordinator
Professor
Program director, professional society
Science teacher
Scientific editor
Technical writer

Potential Employers
Colleges & Universities
Corporations
Libraries
Magazines
Museums
News Media
Private and Secondary Schools
Publishers
State/Federal Department of Education

Medicine and Health

Skills in analysis and problem solving make Chemistry majors well suited for:

Career Options
Anesthesiologist
Cytotechnologist
Dentist
Environmental risk assessor
Food scientist/technologist
Life scientist
Medical examiner
Nurse-Anesthetist
Pathologist
Pharmacist
Primary care physician
Psychiatrist
Radiation health specialist
Radiologist
Serologist
Toxicologist

Potential Employers
Biotechnology Firms
Colleges & Universities
Laboratories/Organizations
Medical Research Firms
Pharmaceutical Research Firms
Private & Secondary Schools
Professional Associations
Research Laboratories




 For information on these occupations

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