What branch of Chemistry should I specialize in and what jobs are available for each?
I love Chemistry and I know I want to major in it, but I don't know what branch I want to go into specifically. I know there's analytical chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. What kinds of jobs do each of these branches include and which branches will have the most job opportunities in the future? Thank you in advance!
4 answers
Keidra’s Answer
Now, allow me to blow your mind! There are many more opportunities for chemists than before that cross with other professions! Do you like teaching? Be a Chemistry Professor or Teacher. Like food, beverage or beer? Be a food scientist or brewmaster. Like law? You can work as Chemical Patent Researcher/Lawyer. How about computers? Computational chemist or cheminformatican! Like repairing things? Chemical Field Service Engineers! Playing with batteries? Look at Electrochemical scientists. There's so many unique Chemistry jobs available, and yes you can go the traditional route but find that subset of something that you enjoy doing. I work in a company that does a subset of organic chemistry, but I'm not a Research Chemist and I know I wouldn't enjoy it. Rather, I'm an Analytical Chemist who specializes in Vibrational Spectroscopy. And much more than that? I specialize in chemometrics and quality engineering because I love my statistics! Hope that helps.
Sarah’s Answer
I believe that science and technology is critical to saving our planet and we need more diverse minds working in STEM to solve the world's most pressing problems. I feel so strongly about it that I did a TEDx talk on the topic which is here in case it's of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mulAuJFcxQQ
Best of luck whatever path you choose.
Sarah
Larry’s Answer
Larry recommends the following next steps:
Matthew’s Answer
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/membership.htm
Another professional organization is the Biophysical Society. Join a few, see what appeals to your interests. If you get into a career you hate, it probably won't last long.
2) be active and go to the meetings. Meet the people who will hire you. Most professional societies during their annual meetings, offer activities that are geared for students, like job interviews or career coaching. They interview you. You interview them. You show up on your nickel, means they will know you are serious. If you get a job in academia, you will be expected to go to these meetings.