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Career Exploration

Chemists

Also called: Analytical Chemist, Chemist, Research Chemist, Scientist

What they do:

Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

On the job, you would:
  • Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
  • Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
  • Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
On the job, you'll need:

Math and Science

  • chemistry
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Business

  • management

Basic Skills

  • using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Investigative

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • Structured query language SQL

Presentation software

  • Apple iWork Keynote
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Analytical or scientific software

  • Minitab
  • Waters Empower Chromatography Data Software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $80,670

Education

Bachelor's degree or doctoral degree is usually needed.