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Career Opportunities

Where do chemists work?

Depending on their particular interests and training, chemists may work in any of the following types of organizations:

INDUSTRY

Industrial organizations require people with all levels of chemical training, from technician to PhD. Although chemists are to be found virtually everywhere in the private sector of our economy, the largest number are employed in the "process" industries, which include components such as food, paper, and metallurgical processing, as well as the petroleum, plastics, pharmaceutical, fine and heavy chemical industries. Jobs in the chemical industry are often classed as process control, quality control, environmental quality, technical sales and services, or research and development. However, the categories overlap and it is usually possible for an individual to gain experience in several areas within a relatively short time. Thus, the chemical industry can offer considerable mobility in career orientation.

Industrial research is usually directed towards the development of new products. Research of this type is just as exciting and intellectually challenging as basic research in an university or government laboratory, and brings the satisfaction of a more direct and visible contribution to human needs.

Chemists, chemical technologists, and technicians often work (sometimes together with chemical engineers) to develop practical processes for the large-scale manufacture of products. They must also be alert to the opportunities for improving existing manufacturing processes. Those working in process and quality control laboratories will use sophisticated equipment to analyze the raw materials and intermediates as well as the final products of the process. Qualified chemists will be responsible for devising new tests as new products are developed. Most industries with a significant environmental impact find it necessary to employ staff with chemical training in connection with environmental quality control.

The technical salesperson that has to sell a new chemical product will obviously need a good background in chemistry in order to communicate with potential customers. This individual must also be prepared to help solve the often-challenging problems that may arise in the use of the product.

GOVERNMENT LABORATORIES

The Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Governments employ many chemists, chemical technologists and technicians for the important tasks of monitoring and protecting the quality of the environment and fulfilling their regulatory responsibilities (e.g. testing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs). Federal and Provincial research laboratories are also responsible for developing natural resources and providing basic research support for both primary (energy, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining, etc.) and secondary (manufacturing, distribution and service) industries. Chemists in this area may do either fundamental research or applied work directed towards society's specific needs.

UNIVERSITIES

A PhD is virtually essential for work in this area. University professors divide their time between teaching classes, doing research with graduate students, and administration. They may study problems which have no apparent immediate use, thus contributing to fundamental knowledge on which the progress of science rests. They may also study more applied problems. They publish the results of their work in scientific journals, attend conferences to discuss their work with other chemists, and often interact with chemists in industry.

HIGH SCHOOLS or COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Chemistry teachers are generally required to have, as a minimum, a BSc specializing in chemistry. However, many have more advanced degrees (MSc or PhD), particularly those teaching at the college level. The teacher has the satisfaction of working with young people and the challenge of stimulating their interest in the subject. The long vacation period affords an opportunity to keep up-to-date on the progress of chemistry and to learn new teaching methods by reading, attending conferences, and taking university courses.

CLINICAL LABORATORIES

In these laboratories, which are often associated with hospitals, clinical chemists, chemical technologists and technicians carry out analyses of body tissues and fluids to provide medical doctors with useful diagnostic information. Clinical chemists may also develop new analytical methods and conduct fundamental research on the complex and fascinating chemistry of life.

OTHER CAREER OPPORTUNITES

In addition to the above-mentioned areas which chemists may work, there are many other occupations for which chemistry provides a useful background. For example, many medical doctors, metallurgists, patent attorneys, and technical writers have begun their training by studying chemistry or biochemistry. Opportunities exist for independent business ventures as consultants, public analysts or forensic chemists, and students who combine a BSc in chemistry with a Master in Business Administration may seek employment in chemistry-related business fields.

Finally, in the later stages of their careers, many chemists with the appropriate talents move into administrative or management positions. They may become executives in the chemical industry, university administrators or school principals.