Chemistry Careers with Voice

Oh, the things you can do!with a Chemistry degree with deep apologies to Dr. Seuss and Dr. Todd Deal : 

Oh, the things you can do!with a Chemistry degree with deep apologies to Dr. Seuss and Dr. Todd Deal Dr. Shannon Davis Georgia Southern University 2009

Chemistry Majors can do lots of things : 

Chemistry Majors can do lots of things What do Chemists do? Where do they work? What are career options for Chemists? What are typical job functions? How much do they get paid?

Where Do Chemists Work? : 

Where Do Chemists Work? Academia Universities, colleges, high school Government National laboratories Government agencies Industry/ Manufacturing Non-traditional Forensics, Public Health, Environmental …

What does an academic do? : 

What does an academic do? Chemists in academia (Universities) Teach chemistry Study how to teach students best Study how to teach chemistry best Write papers on “pedagogy” Carry out research Subject Matter Expert Investigate a topic of intellectual interest Teach students how to “do research” Write papers on research topics Write grants Obtain funding for equipment, student stipends, faculty stipends, supplies for doing research Consult as Subject Matter Experts

Academic Chemists also have choices : 

Academic Chemists also have choices University (PhD required) Large vs small Graduate vs undergraduate programs Time spent on research vs teaching Colleges (PhD, some MS) Focus on teaching, less on research High School (BS) High demand currently for science/math teachers Typically requires not only science background, but coursework in education

Careers as a Chemist in Government : 

Careers as a Chemist in Government Field of Specialty Area of expertise (discipline) matters greatly Education BS degree = technician or research assistant PhD = max flexibility & options for career choices Ability to progress less dependent on degree in government than in industry Employment National Laboratories Fundamental research Applications research Gov’t agencies Research in many areas Content experts EPA, FDA, NASA, JPL

Chemists in Government have multiple “career ladders” available : 

Chemists in Government have multiple “career ladders” available Management Technical PhD, BS/MBA PhD, MS, BS May not be scientists at all

Career Options in Industry : 

Career Options in Industry Field of Specialty Field may or may not dictate career path & choices Education BS degrees = technician PhD = max flexibility & options for career choices MBA = increasingly common for business (both BS & PhD) R&D Pure Research and Development Process Development Applications Development Management Technical or business Customer/Technical marketing technical support Sales QA/QC

Chemists in Industry have multiple “career ladders” available : 

Chemists in Industry have multiple “career ladders” available Commercial/sales Management Technical Not scientists May not be scientists Scientists BS, MBA PhD, BS/MBA PhD, MS, BS

Where else do Chem majors work? : 

Where else do Chem majors work? Academia Government Industry Patents & Legal Environmental Public Health Forensics “Fusion” & “cutting edge” disciplines Biotechnology Material Science Biomedical research Pharmaceuticals

Employment Options for Chemists : 

Employment Options for Chemists

A Comparison of Salaries : 

Unemployment – 2.3% National Average – 5.2% Average Salary Increase – 5.7% Inflation (CPI) – 3.8% (2008) A Comparison of Salaries

The 5 year investment in a PhD pays off in starting salary in industry : 

The 5 year investment in a PhD pays off in starting salary in industry 2008 ACS Salary Survey

Studying chemistry is a great way to prepare for many careers : 

Studying chemistry is a great way to prepare for many careers Chemistry teaches critical skills needed in many different careers Problem solving & analysis Active, ongoing learning Decision making & risk Careers are, in the end, HIGHLY personal choices

Want more info? : 

Want more info? The American Chemical Society www.acs.org Careers Tab: “What Chemists Do”, “Career Advice”, and “Salaries and Surveys” On Campus Resources: GSU Career Center: Williams Center 1047 http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/career/ COST Career Advisor: Dorsey Baldwin