What Can I do With a Degree in Chemistry?

Career Center Library Resources
The Career Center Library has a variety of resources to help students explore potential career fields. These resources include information about typical responsibilities, qualifications, career paths, job outlook, salary, and related careers.

Books Specifically Related to Chemistry Majors

  • 100 Jobs in the Environment
  • Careers in Science
  • Complete Guide to Environmental Careers
  • Job Choices in Science and Engineering
  • Job Opportunities in Engineering and Technology
  • Job Opportunities in the Environment
  • Opportunities in Chemistry
  • Opportunities in Public Health
  • Opportunities in Research and Development
  • Jump Start Your Career in BioScience
  • Careers in High Tech
  • Real People Working in Science
  • Great Jobs for Chemistry Majors

Books of General Interest to Liberal Arts Majors

  • Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors
  • The Best Jobs for the 1990s and into the 21st Century
  • The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People
  • Making a Living while Making a Difference

Vocational Biographies
Vocational Biographies (http://www.vocbiosonline.com/login.php) describes the career success stories of 1001 real people. Search by career title, keyword, topic, and career cluster. Username: portland su and pass code: 3w9n

  • Chemical Engineer
  • Microbiologist
  • Pharmacist
  • Cell Research Chemist

Professional Associations

Internet Sites with Career-Related Information for Chemistry Majors

Internet Sites with Job Search Information for Chemistry Majors

  • Top U.S. Chemical Companies — From Dr. Harry E. Pence, Professor of Chemistry, SUNY Oneonta. "This site provides a quick reference to the web sites of the top Industrial Chemical companies. The emphasis is on companies that have major operations in the U.S. and also provide web information on careers."
  • Company Descriptions — From Chemical Week magazine. Brief descriptions with links to companies that produce, transport, and distribute chemicals.
  • Lab Support — Temporary agency providing listings to laboratory jobs requiring A.S., B.S., or M.S. degrees.
  • Sloan Career Cornerstone Center — Job listings for chemistry majors.

Places of Employment
Chemistry majors may find employment in a variety of areas depending on their skills and experience. Places of employment for chemists include private industry (pharmaceutical, chemical, food manufacturing); environmental testing and research laboratories; biotechnology firms; federal, state, and local government agencies; and educational institutions. Career-related internships or career-related part-time jobs may be a prerequisite to finding professional-level employment after graduation.

The following list of employers and job titles was derived from the Career Center's jobs database where the employer specifically requested chemistry majors. This list does not reflect all potential places of employment or kinds of jobs for chemistry majors. This list does not reflect current openings.

Miscellaneous

Department of Chemistry - Portland State University