Chemistry: Now What?

[Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook]

What Chemists and Materials Scientists Do

Chemists and materials scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge. Chemists and materials scientists work in laboratories and offices. They typically work full-time and keep regular hours. Chemists and materials scientists need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field. However, a master’s degree or Ph.D. is needed for many research jobs.

What is Chemistry?                         

Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, how and why substances combine or separate to form other substances, and how substances interact with energy.  Chemists improve many products, from the food we eat and the clothing we wear to the materials with which we build our homes. Chemistry helps to protect our environment and searches for new sources of energy.  There are five main branches of chemistry, each of which has many areas of study.

Analytical chemistry uses qualitative and quantitative observation to identify and measure the physical and chemical properties of substances. In a sense, all chemistry is analytical.

Physical chemistry combines chemistry with physics. Physical chemists study how matter and energy interact. Thermodynamics and quantum mechanics are two of the important branches of physical chemistry.

Organic chemistry specifically studies compounds that contain the element carbon. Carbon has many unique properties that allow it to form complex chemical bonds and very large molecules. Organic chemistry is known as the “Chemistry of Life” because all of the molecules that make up living tissue have carbon as part of their makeup. 

Inorganic chemistry studies materials such as metals and gases that do not have carbon as part of their makeup.

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes that occur within living organisms.

What do chemists do in chemistry and related fields?

Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes. 

Chemical technicians use special instruments and techniques to assist chemists and chemical engineers.

Food chemists improve the quality, safety, storage and taste of our food. Food chemists may work for private industry to develop new products or improve processing. They may also work for government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration to inspect food products and handlers to protect us from contamination or harmful practices. Food chemists test products to supply information used for the nutrition labels or to determine how packaging and storage affects the safety and quality of the food. Flavorists work with chemicals to change the taste of food. Chemists may also work on other ways to improve sensory appeal, such as enhancing color, odor or texture.

Environmental chemistry is an interdisciplinary study that involves both analytical chemistry and an understanding of environmental science. Environmental chemists must first understand the chemicals and chemical reactions present in natural processes in the soil water and air. Sampling and analysis can then determine if human activities have contaminated the environment or caused harmful reactions to affect it.  Water quality is an important area of environmental chemistry.

Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence.

Agricultural chemists develop fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides necessary for large-scale crop production. They must also monitor how these products are used and their impacts on the environment. Nutritional supplements are developed to increase the productivity of meat and dairy herds.  Agricultural chemists may work with the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration or for private industry.  Agricultural biotechnology is a fast-growing focus for many agricultural chemists. Genetically manipulating crops to be resistant to the herbicides used to control weeds in the fields requires detailed understanding of both the plants and the chemicals at the molecular level. Biochemists must understand genetics, chemistry and business needs to develop crops that are easier to transport or that have a longer shelf life.

Chemical engineering combines a background in chemistry with engineering and economics concepts to solve technological problems.  Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the use of fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They are involved in designing and operating processing plants, develop safety procedures for handling dangerous materials, and supervise the manufacture of nearly every product we use.  Industries require chemical engineers to devise new ways to make the manufacturing of their products easier and more cost effective.  Chemical engineers work to develop new products and processes in every field from pharmaceuticals to fuels and computer components.

Geochemists combine chemistry and geology to study the makeup and interaction between substances found in the Earth. Geochemists may spend more time in field studies than other types of chemists. Many work for the U.S. Geological Survey or the Environmental Protection Agency in determining how mining operations and waste can affect water quality and the environment. They may travel to remote abandoned mines to collect samples and perform rough field evaluations, and then follow a stream through its watershed to evaluate how contaminants are moving through the system. Petroleum geochemists are employed by oil and gas companies to help find new energy reserves. They may also work on pipelines and oil rigs to prevent chemical reactions that could cause explosions or spills.

Who Could I Work For?

Educational Institutions

Science Museums

Quality Control Laboratories

Pharmaceutical  / Biotech

Mineral and Metal Industries

Hospital Research Laboratories

Industrial Laboratories

Food / Beverage Companies

Health Protection Branches

Waterworks Departments

Hazardous Waste Management

Chemical Testing Companies

Research Centers / Institutes

Cosmetic Companies

Utility Companies

Chemical Distributors

Hospitals

Newspapers / Magazines

Oil Companies

Chemistry Consulting Firms

Environmental Consulting

Pulp And Paper Industries

Chemical Laboratories

Agricultural Companies

Professional Chemical Societies

Textile Manufacturers

Police Laboratories

Chemical Manufacturing

Petroleum Refineries

Government

Aerospace Companies

Technical Librarian

Selection of Employers for recent (Class of 2024) UMass Amherst Chemistry alumni:

• Arrakis Therapeutics
• Associates of Cape Cod Inc
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• L’Oreal
• Moderna

Other Top Employers for UMass Chemistry Majors after Graduation (Class of 2021  - 2023):

• AbbVie
• aPriori Technologies 
• Cambridge Isotope Labs
• Certified Laboratories
• Charm Sciences
• Control Associates
• CVS Health
• Novabioassays LLC
• US Department of Defense
• Veranova

Previous Internship Sites as self-reported by UMass Amherst Chemistry students (2019 – 2023):

• Agios Pharmaceuticals
• Biogen
• Blueprint Medicines
• Entegris
• Harvard Medical School
• Inkbit
• Kansas State University
• Michelle Farkas Research Lab
• Polymer Science and Engineering at University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Cincinnati 
• Waters Corporation

(More information on students’ past internships can be found here)

Where Might I Do An Internship?

UMass Amherst Chemistry majors have done field experience internships at the following sites:
 

Abbott Laboratories

Amherst (Town of)

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc

ArQule

Associates of Cape Cod

Campbell’s Foods

EMD Millipore

EnerSys Energy

Infinity Pharmaceuticals

MassPIRG

Millennium Pharmaceuticals 

NuOrtho Surgical, Inc.

Sanofi Group (Pasteur & Genzyme)

UMass Amherst Emergency Medical Services

UMass Amherst Environmental Health & Safety

Walt Disney World

Yankee Candle

What Can I Do With An Undergraduate Degree In Chemistry?

Chemist

Quality Control Chemist

Laboratory Technician

Technical Sales Representative

Chemical and Drug Sales Representative

Consumer Protection Specialist

Water Quality Analyst / Technician

Technical Writer

Aerosol Development Manager

Quality Assurance Chemist

Methods Development Chemist

Process Development Chemist

Organic Mass Spectrometrist

Forensic Lab Analyst

Pulp and Paper Chemist

Paint Formulation Chemist

Paper Product Developer

Chemical Information Specialist

Occupational Health and Safety Officer

Medical Laboratory Technician

Analytic Chemist

Associate Chemist

Research Assistant

Chemical Safety Officer

Clinical Technician

Food and Drug Analyst

Pollution Controller

Information Analyst

Soil Tester

Laboratory Analyst

Chemical Technologist Assayer

Product Tester

Production Chemist

Lab Coordinator

Chemical Analyst

Pest Control Technician

Textile Chemist

Occupational Hygienist

Geologist

Color Development Specialist

Environmental Engineer

Geochemist

Industrial Hygienist

Teacher

Crime Lab Analyst

Dentist

Medical Technologist

Chemistry majors learn to think creatively, troubleshoot complex problems, perform detailed analyses, and make decisions based on research. These skills are highly valuable in any workplace, and have applications in virtually every field.  Not all graduates from chemistry programs go on to work as chemists, though. While many do work in a field closely related to chemistry, others choose to take a completely different path. Sales and teaching positions are among the most common career choices for those who pursue a career in an unrelated field.

It’s very common for chemistry majors to attend graduate school after they complete their undergraduate studies. These graduates make great candidates for medical school, optometry school, dental school, pharmacy school, and veterinary school. Since chemistry majors develop strong research skills, they are also successful in law school, and many go on to work as patent lawyers.

Career Planning Resources & Websites

Career Exploration Tools: https://www.umass.edu/careers/career-journey/self-discovery 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh

Massachusetts Career Information System: http://masscis.intocareers.org 

(Click Mass Resident to login with “Amherst/01003”   Then click “Occupations” or “Assessments”)

Career Planning Resources for Science: https://www.careercornerstone.org/chemistry/chemistry.htm

Massachusetts Career Information System: http://masscis.intocareers.org 

(Click Mass Resident to login with “Amherst/01003”   Then click “Occupations” or “Assessments”)

Chemistry Internships & Job Search Resources

O-Net: “Chemistry”: www.onetonline.org/find/quick?s=chemistry

Amer Chem Society “Chemistry Careers”: www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers

Science.gov Gateway to US Federal Science: www.science.gov            

UMass Handshake Database of Internships & Jobs: https://umass.joinhandshake.com/

BioPharmGuy: https://biopharmguy.com/services/entrylevel.php

Internships and Research Opportunities

Finding Independent Lab Research On Campus: www.umass.edu/biochem/undergraduate

Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS): www.umass.edu/ours

AAMC Summer Undergrad Medical Research Programs: www.aamc.org/members/great/61052

ACS Summer Undergrad Research Fellowships (SURF): www.organicdivision.org/student-and

Bio-Med Research Opps for Pre-Meds: http://people.rit.edu/gtfsbi/Symp/premed

Federal Government Undergrad STEM Internships: https://stemundergrads.science.gov/

Funded Summer STEM Research Opportunities: www.pathwaystoscience.org/programs

Mass Life Sciences Center Internships: https://www.masslifesciences.com/internship

National Institute of Health (NIH) Fellowships: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/scientific/

NIH Pathways Internship Program: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/student/pathways

National Science Foundation – REUs: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp 

Chemistry Job Boards

Academic Jobs Online: http://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/chemistry

American Chemistry Council Jobs Board: www.americanchemistry.com/Jobs

American Chemistry Society Jobs Board: https://chemistryjobs.acs.org/jobs/

BioSpace: https://www.biospace.com/jobs

Chemical Jobs Recruiters: www.chemicaljobs.com

Chemistry Jobs: https://jobs.sciencecareers.org/jobs/chemistry/ 

Chemistry Research Jobs: www.researchgate.net/jobs

Computational Chemistry List (CCL): www.ccl.net/chemistry/announcements

Freelance Chemistry Opportunities: http://upwork.com/o/jobs/browse/skill/chem

Health & Human Services (HHS) Jobs: https://www.hhs.gov/careers/

I Hire Chemists: https://www.ihirechemists.com/ 

LinkedIn Chemistry Jobs: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs

National Institute of Health (NIH) Jobs: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/scientific

Nature Careers in Chemistry: https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/jobs

New Scientist Chemistry Jobs: https://jobs.newscientist.com/searchjobs

Northeast Section, Amer Chem Society (Advanced): http://www.nesacs.org/careers.html

Organic Chemistry Portal: www.organic-chemistry.org/jobs

Science Magazine: Advanced Level Chem Jobs: https://jobs.sciencecareers.org/searchjobs 

Chemistry Professional Organizations

American Association for the Advancement of Science: www.aaas.org

American Chemical Society: www.acs.org

American Physiological Society: www.the-aps.org

American Society for Biochem and Molecular Bio: www.asbmb.org

Association of American Medical Colleges: www.aamc.org

Biochemistry Society: www.biochemistry.org

Chem Industry Directories By Specialty: www.chemindustry.com/index

International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers: www.ispeboston.org

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council: www.massbio.org

UC Santa Barbara Library of Chem Societies (huge list): http://guides.library.ucsb.edu/content

Important Transferable Qualities to Include On Your Resume

Analytical skills. Chemists must be able to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision.

Critical-thinking skills. Chemists draw conclusions from experimental results through sound reasoning and judgment.

Interpersonal skills. Chemists typically work on research teams and need to be able to work well with others toward a common goal. Many also serve as team leaders and must be able to motivate and direct other team members.

Math skills. Chemists regularly use complex equations and formulas in their work, and they need a broad understanding of mathematics, including calculus and statistics.

Perseverance. Scientific research involves substantial trial and error, and chemists must not become discouraged in their work.

Problem-solving skills. Chemists use scientific experiments and analysis to find solutions to complex scientific problems.

Speaking skills. Chemists frequently give presentations and must be able to explain their research to others.

Writing skills. Chemists write memos, reports, and research papers that explain their findings.

What Do Employers Look For? (NACE 2024 Job Outlook for Students) 

Top 10 Skills Employers Seek on Candidate Resumes

1. Problem-solving skills
2. Ability to work in a team
3. Communication skills (written)
4. Strong work ethic
5. Flexibility/adaptability
6. Communication (verbal)
7. Technical Skills
8. Analytical/Quantitative Skills
9. Initiative
10. Detail-oriented

Top 7 Attributes that can positively influence employers the most

1. Internship with the organization
2. Internship within the industry
3. Major
4. General work experience
5. Leadership experience
6. Extracurricular activities
7. High GPA (3.0 or above)