Chemicals, reactions and enthalpy. Chemistry is, in the words of Walter White, the study of change. The science has long been appreciated as one of the oldest forms of study in existence – right back from the days of alchemists, where people tried to work out how to turn different things into gold. The riches, it seems, was highly tempting – so much so that people turned to chemistry to try and find it.
In modern chemistry, chemical mathematics and alcohols are all the staple, as the various technological advances throughout modern history have meant that, over time, we can study more and more. Nowadays, we’re at the stage where chemistry and physics are blurring as scientists continue to redefine atomic structure and the make-up of atoms.
As a recent chemistry graduate, you may be wondering where your educational background will take you next. What does the future hold for those who possess so much knowledge about the essential building blocks of nature?
Thankfully, most chemistry graduates can feel pretty thankful that the world highly values their skillsets and deep understanding of nature. As with any career pathway plan, those with a chemistry background will want to consider a variety of factors when choosing their next step. Do you want to study more? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What kind of income do you want? What passions do you have? What field or industry intrigues you?
This article will tell you lots of useful information about graduating with a chemistry degree. Let's dig in.
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Statistics for Recent Chemistry Graduates
The Higher Education Career Services Unit (HECSU) compiled statistics last September about the graduates that came out of university in 2012 – all in all there were 3000 chemistry graduates. The breakdown of what students decided to do looks a bit like this:
- 38.3% of graduates had a full-time job within the 6 months after graduation. Part-time employment was 8%. Put simply, you’re in pretty good standing to get a job if you want to when you’re done.
- Nearly as many graduates went into further study, with 34.1% finding some sort of postgraduate learning or research. It’s quite an attractive option if you want to continue with a certain specialisation.
- The unemployment rate stands at around 9%, roughly in line with the national average for all subjects.
All in all, it does seem that chemistry students have got an even match of employment prospects and the opportunity for further study. For those students who are considering further study, here are just a few ideas for you to think about….
- Because many courses offer the option of becoming a Master of Science (MSc) and not just a Bachelor’s degree, it does open up the door to getting a PhD – in fact, among chemistry graduates it is the most popular option for those who want to carry on studying, over 63% of further study entrants opt to become a doctor of a particular field.
Aside from that, both a Masters degree and PGCE are popular options – 14% of chemistry graduates decide to embark on a teaching career. Masters admissions are around 17% of graduates for chemistry, but because many first degrees allow you to become a Master anyhow, there isn’t necessarily an advantage to go back to study for a separate MSc, unless you wish to change subjects. - Some of the popular PhD courses chosen were Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry and ‘Synthetic Organic Chemistry’ – I’m sure there is someone out there who could explain that one better than I can! For those who want to do MSc qualifications, a chemistry degree does open the door into environmental-type courses.
Find out more about how to select the perfect chemistry tutor and the cost of taking private chemistry lessons.
Why Pursue Further Chemistry Study?
Now that we've brought up the topic of graduate school, you might be wondering what the advantages are for staying in school and putting yourself through the challenges of working through even more challenging and complex content.
There are a lot of great reasons so many people earn masters and PhD degrees. First of all, having an advanced degree can qualify you for certain fields of work, such as scholarship, research, and teaching. Companies that specialize in areas like pharmaceuticals may even require an advanced degree for certain roles in leadership and innovation. A MSc or a PhD will certainly make you stand out from other applicants that have a bachelor of science degree.
Other students simply love learning and do not feel ready to leave school yet. You may feel this way if you want to pursue research in a certain area, such as environmental chemistry or an area of medicine. Finally, some students may not be interested in leaving the relative comfort and fun that comes with being a student. In graduate school, you will be exposed to even more people that have a similar level of curiosity and intellect as you do. You can continue enjoying university life from a whole new perspective.
Are There Other Chemistry Programs Besides Graduate School?
Graduate Schools is just one place you can continue your learning after learning a bachelor's degree in chemistry. If an advanced degree does not suit or interest you, there are plenty of other professional programs you can take in either university or college that will help prepare you for entry into the workforce.
It is also worth noting that you can always re-enter school after spending some time working. In fact, some programs are designed for individuals that have spent a few years gaining practical life and work experiences. And you will certainly appreciate and capitalize on your learning much more after you have spent some time in the "real world" developing new skillsets.
Here are some professional programs for chemistry graduates you can find in postsecondary institutions across Canada:
- Science Writing
- Education
- Pharmacy
- Nutrition
- Bioinformatics
- Laboratory Technician
- Business
- Nursing
- Dentistry
- Dental Hygienist
Chemistry Career Opportunities
Chemistry is one of the more traditional subjects out there and is considered a fairly classical subject that is rather at the cutting edge – it carries a lot of practicalities in modern society without getting mathematical and theoretical like our physicist friends!
Chemistry is more than just mixing chemicals and involves an huge amount of complex and detailed research. Not only does this demonstrate that you are going to be good with projects over a long period of time, but it also shows that you can write long reports and effectively show off your findings. To an employer, this is a rather attractive quality to have.
As people get more and more concerned about different environmental challenges in society, it will be well-noted that chemistry graduates are going to become highly-demanded over the next few years. From energy challenges to disaster management, your knowledge, in some ways, is going to be rather unique.
Remember the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico, courtesy of some BP equipment going wrong? Yes, managing that kind of disaster and the effects it will have on marine life can’t just be left to marine biologists and the like, your understanding of oil and chemicals would be something that companies will like to have on board. Of course, large pioneering companies in the energy sector don’t mind having a back-up plan in case something goes wrong. That said, many opportunities will be open to you as a chemistry graduate, even if a company had no safety protocols at all. There are so many modern solutions to energy needs that you’ll find yourself working at the very forefront of modern technology and society’s needs.
The great thing about graduating with a chemistry degree is that it’s quite a broad subject, with polymers and oils and alcohols all being included under that umbrella term. What makes it even better is that all of these subject areas carry big impacts on our modern society, so you’ll find yourself with a lot of relevant experience in technology and theories you can apply everyday. Could this be one of the most practical subjects around?
Bearing the advantages of chemistry in mind, you will likely find yourself with a lot of different opportunities. Some of the ideas I found included:
- Chemical Engineering – The design, development and creating of specialist and industrial chemicals is a very precise science, one that takes lots of planning and research. You could find yourself in pharmaceuticals or even in developmental areas looking at future building materials.
- Biochemistry – If you’ve ever been to see a doctor or taken the unfortunate trip to the hospital, you’ll likely have tests and samples done to diagnose a particular condition. Behind every group of doctors is a group of biochemists who analyse various samples of almost anything to come up with a definitive answer as to what’s going on. Be careful, this might require you to have worked with biochemistry during your degree or as a postgraduate.
- Pharmacology – Not just the work of chemical engineers, pharmacology concerns how medicines and drugs interact with the human body. Complex understanding of different molecular structures is something so essential to the success of the drug that you could find yourself literally changing someone’s life.
- Teaching and tutoring – Science, for many, was never the most interesting thing in the world. However, inspiring a group of students to become some of the future generation of chemists and scientists might just be one of the most rewarding things you ever do. If you’re still a student, for example, why not do some chemistry online tutoring?
Check out our article about the top ten reasons for studying chemistry.
What are Some Alternative Career Pathways to Consider?
Perhaps you have decided that a life devoted to chemistry just isn't for you. Maybe you love science, but have competing interests that you want to incorporate with your chemistry degree. Perhaps you are second-guessing a science related degree altogether!
If this is how you feel, you are certainly not the first person to wonder how you might take a career pathway you did not consider when you started studying chemistry. In fact, many people feel this way years into their working lives!
Here are some tips for anyone that has taken a chemistry degree and wants to take a radical shift from where they started.
Do Not Waste Your Valuable Chemistry Knowledge
Chemistry, as you probably understand, extends into so many areas of our daily lives. This extends to the workforce as well!
For example, imagine your passions are in hospitality, cooking, or baking. A chemistry background is actually pretty essential to all of these fields. Apply your understanding of matter, energy, and reactions to creating exciting food products, mixing exciting new cocktails, or developing new dishes.
Are you a fitness fanatic? Again, chemistry is a great background to have here. As a chemistry student, you come into the field with a strong background that lends itself well to understanding what people can do to support their wellness and fitness through supplements and food.
Do you enjoy working with children and teaching? Consider working in an organization like a museum or science center, get a teaching degree or certificate, or tutor chemistry students part time. Science entertainment and education companies that bring enrichment learning to schools or even plan birthday parties and team building events for professionals have grown in recent years. Enjoy applying your science knowledge while receiving all the rewards and challenges of running your own business.
Don't be Afraid to Take Informed Risks
Of course, you may find that you want to try new jobs or career pathways that don't seem to have any connection to chemistry. From this perspective, you should always be confident in knowing that your studies have left you with a strong skillset in reading, research, inquiry, and the mental clarity and strength it takes to pursue any area of study.
In other words, as a chemistry graduate, you are well equipped for any endeavour you choose to take!
Use your research and critical thinking skills to consider any new career pathway carefully, and set goals and checkpoints where you can evaluate or re-evaluate the choices you have made. Never be afraid to share with prospective employers that you have a chemistry degree, and remember that you have a powerful asset under your belt that makes you a great candidate for any job or postgraduate program!
You can also check for an online chemistry tutor here.
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