Chemistry: Job Options
Chemistry: Job Options
Chemistry: Job Options
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Chemistry
AGCAS editors May, 2018
Job options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject,
so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.
Take a few minutes to answer the Job Match quiz and find
out what careers would suit you
Research chemical companies in your local area and if they don't offer a formal scheme, try
sending a speculative CV. Even if they don't have chemistry-related opportunities, experience
in another area such as marketing or administration is still useful for showing how chemistry is
applied in the workplace.
Volunteering is another way of enhancing your CV. Although you may not find many opportuni-
ties that directly relate to your chemistry degree, there are many schemes that focus on related
areas such as the environment, sustainability, ethics and medicine. There may also be opportu-
nities at your local hospital to work in a pathology lab.
Typical employers
The main employers of chemistry graduates are in the chemical and related industries, such as:
• agrochemicals
• metallurgical
• petrochemicals
• pharmaceuticals
• plastics and polymers
• toiletries.
However, you'll also find opportunities with employers in many different sectors, including the
food and drink industry, utilities and research, health and medical organisations, the govern-
ment and scientific research organisations and agencies.
You could also be employed in schools, colleges and universities, as well as by computer soft-
ware development companies, environment consultancies and water companies.
(/graduate-jobs/process-engineering-graduate-programme-2672805)
Chemistry is also studied in an environmental and social context, so you can gain awareness of
its ethical implications and issues relating to environmental impact and sustainability.
Further study
Many chemistry graduates undertake further study at Masters or PhD level to increase their
knowledge of one of the branches studied during their degree, such as organic, inorganic,
physical or analytical chemistry.
You may also specialise in areas of applied chemistry, such as cheminformatics or biochemis-
try, or develop knowledge in an area where chemistry graduates may be in demand, for exam-
ple, forensic nanotechnology and forensic investigation.
Further study is highly valued by employers, particularly within scientific and technical fields,
as you'll develop more advanced theoretical knowledge and practical sector-specific skills.
For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters de-
grees (/postgraduate-study/masters-degrees) and search postgraduate courses
(https://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses-results?keyword=chemistry).
Destination Percentage
Employed 51.4
Unemployed 6.3
Other 5
Other 35.8
For a detailed breakdown of what chemistry graduates are doing six months after graduation,
see What Do Graduates Do? (https://luminate.prospects.ac.uk/what-do-graduates-do?
utm_source=prospects&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wcidwmd)
(http://agcas.org.uk/)
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