What can I do with a
major in...
CHEMISTRY
www.sc.edu/career
chem·is·try
The science of the composition,
structure, properties, and reactions of
matter, especially of atomic and
molecular systems.*
*"Chemistry." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English
Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 24
Jul. 2009. <Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Chemistry>.
Last updated 3/2011 by A. Bervine
Chemistry Majors Study
• The basic laws of the physical world
and the investigation of the
composition and properties of matter
• Both classroom and laboratory
learning integrate to prepare the
student in the advancement towards
specializations in chemistry
...and more
Specializations
Most undergraduate programs offer a general course of
study as well as many specializations that can be pursued
with additional study. These include, but are not limited to:
• Bachelor's
Degree/Entry Level
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laboratory technician
quality control technician
associate chemist
technical sales
representative
– analytical chemist
– clinical technician
• Further Education
Required
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chemist
pharmaceutical researcher
research chemist
chemical safety engineer
clinical chemist
pharmacologist
toxicologist
forensic chemist
food technologist
Chemistry Degrees Available At The
University Of South Carolina
Ph.D
MS
BS
Chemistry At The
University Of South Carolina
Undergraduate Options
Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Chemistry
Minors: Chemistry
Chemistry At The
University Of South Carolina
Graduate Options
Master of Science (MS)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.)
Analytical
Biological
Inorganic
Organic
Physical
The Master of Arts in
Teaching in Science
(Chemistry and Biochemistry
Option)
Interdisciplinary Master of
Arts in Science (Chemistry
and Biochemistry Option)
Analytical
Biological
Inorganic
Organic
Physical
Chemistry Majors
Develop Skills In
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Developing theories
Conduct research
Attending to data
Curiosity
Science and math
ability
• Remain objective
• Process data
• Work independently
and in groups
• Oral and written
communication
• Utilizing formulas
• Technological skills
Chemistry Majors
Develop Skills In
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Perseverance
Analytical skills
Follow through skills
Perform experiments
Observation and
decision making
• Chemistry education
majors should also
develop skills involving
planning and the ability
to adapt teaching
methods and modalities
to the various learning
styles of students
Employment
• The undergraduate degree alone in
chemistry does not directly lead to a
career as a chemist or other
professional occupation.
• The degree does provide you with an
excellent chemical science
background and is valuable for
almost any type of work involving
both physical and life sciences.
Employment Settings
• Business & Commerce:
Includes management and direction
of for-profit organizations including
the development of business plans,
marketing strategies, product
development, and human resource
management.
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Business &
Commerce
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FDA Inspector
Industrial Buyer
Perfumer
Quality Assurance
Manager
System Analyst
Environmental Health
Specialist
Hospital Administrator
Risk Manager
• Cephalometric Analyst
• Cooperative Extension
Agent
• Inspector
• Occupational Health
Specialist
• Pharmaceutical Sales
Representative
• Lawyer
• Product Development
Manager
Employment Settings
• Outdoor Field Work:
Includes both studying and working
with and in the outdoors.
Encompasses everything from
management to wildlife resources
working.
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Outdoor Field
Work
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Agricultural Scientist
Biochemist
Forensic Chemist
Hydrogeologist
Water Purification
Chemist
Toxicologist
Veterinarian
Soil Scientist
Water Scientist
• Clarifying Plant
Operator
• Environmental Engineer
• Fire Protection
Engineer
• Hydrologist
• Inspector
• Scientific Photographer
Employment Settings
• Research:
Includes technicians, researchers,
and technologists. Also incorporates
laboratory work and the education of
peers.
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Research
• Biochemist
• Chemistry Technologist
• Color Development
Chemist
• Cytotechnologist
• Medical Technologist
• Perfumer
• Science Lab Technician
• Tissue Technologist
• Water Purification
Chemist
• Chemical
Oceanographer
• Crime Lab Analyst
• DNA Analyst
• Food Scientist
Technician
• Underwater Technician
• Wastewater Treatment
Chemist
Employment Settings
• Education:
Includes classroom instruction,
curricula development, research,
writing, administration, program
management, and lecturing.
Teaching and research positions at
colleges and universities require an
advanced degree. Most other
teaching positions require proper
certification.
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Education
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Administrator
Admissions Evaluator
Author/Writer
Career Counselor
College or University
Professor
Financial Aid Director
Guidance Counselor
Health Educator
Lecturer
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Primary School Teacher
Program Manager
Residence Hall Director
Secondary School
Teacher
• Student Affairs
Professional
• Text Writer
• Medical Librarian
Employment Settings
• Health Services:
Includes healing, both physical and
mental, hospital/doctor’s office services,
and some technician positions.
Most physician and counseling positions
require the completion of a certification
or advanced study program.
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Health
Services
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Medical Technologist
Nurse
Physician
Tissue Technologist
Anesthesiologist
Dentist
Radiologist
Veterinarian
DNA Analyst
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Medical Librarian
Pharmacy Technician
Chiropractor
Coroner
Medical Illustrator
Pharmacist
Genetic Counselor
Physical Therapist
Hospital Administrator
Other Possible Employment
Settings For Chemistry Majors
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Beverage Companies
Chemical Industries
College/Universities
Cosmetic Companies
Consulting Firms
Distributors
Engineering Firms
Food & Drug
Administration
• Professional/Technical
Journals
• Food/Product
Companies
• Government Agencies
• Hospitals
• Medical Labs
• Medical Libraries
• Medical Supply
Companies
• Petroleum Companies
• Pharmaceutical
Companies
• Research Firms
Strategies For Developing Skills
To Get The Job You Want
• Pursue an excellent
academic record
• Obtain part-time,
summer, or internship
work experience
• Volunteer with service
and counseling
organizations
• Become fluent in a
foreign language
• Obtain an advanced
degree and/or
certification in order to
perform substantive
counseling work
• Obtain a minor in an
additional area of
interest (i.E. Language,
business, education)
• Develop strong writing
and speaking skills
Strategies For Developing Skills
To Get The Job You Want
• Develop strong
quantitative and
statistical skills
• Become comfortable
working with people
from different
backgrounds and
cultures
• Acquire sales
experience
• Become active in peer
mediation groups if
available
• Secure leadership
positions in campus or
community groups
• Obtain teaching
certification
• Shadow the work of a
professional
Books And Web
Resources
Books
Great Jobs for Chemistry
Majors — by Mark Rowh
Nontraditional Careers for
Chemists — by Lisa M.
Balbes
Careers in Science — by
Thomas Easton
Web Resources
The American Chemical
Society http://portal.acs.org/portal/
acs/corg/content
Chemistry & Industry
Magazine http://www.chemind.org/CI
/index.jsp
Resources for more
information
Department of Chemistry
www.chem.sc.edu/default.asp
Career Center Library
http://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html
Chemistry Related Websites
www.sc.edu/career/la/chem.html
CAS Career Development Website
www.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html
Career center contact
information
University of South Carolina Career Center
6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)
Columbia, SC 29208
Phone: (803) 777-7280
On-call counseling without an appointment:
M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the
website at www.sc/edu/career)