| A background
in chemistry is a powerful springboard to launch you into your career.
Chemistry is the central science. It connects on one side with physics
and mathematics, on another with earth and environmental sciences,
and on still another with biology and medicine. A person with a bachelor's-level
education in chemistry is prepared to assume a wide variety of positions
in industry, education, or public service. It is obvious that a chemistry
background is important if you plan to work in the chemical industry
or to teach chemistry. It may be less obvious that a significant knowledge
of chemistry is often required in professions such as molecular biology
and biotechnology, hazardous waste management, art conservation, and
forensic science. Many bachelor's-level chemistry graduates begin
their careers working "at the bench" in a laboratory or in quality
or process control in the factory. However, their background can make
them strong candidates to move into sales, marketing, or management.
In addition, an undergraduate chemistry degree may be effectively
combined with advanced work in other fields, leading, for example,
into work in the patent field (possibly with a law degree) or into
higher management (sometimes with an M.B.A.).
It is
often observed that today's graduate, unlike the graduate of a generation
ago, should anticipate not a single position with one employer or
in one industry, but rather may careers. You will be well prepared
for this future if, in your college years, you take advantage of
the opportunity to become broadly educated, to learn to be flexible
and to work on a tea, and to be a creative problem solver. Knowledge
and skills gained in your college courses may be directly applicable
in your first job, but science and technology change at a rapid
pace. You will keep up and stay ahead if you graduate with skills
and self-discipline to pursue a lifetime of learning.
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