Chemistry is a highly refined and complex discipline, and graduates from this field have a lot to offer. While the skills Chemistry graduates will have gained while at university are very specific, they are also extremely versatile and allow the option to work in almost any sector.
What can a Chemistry Graduate do?
Chemistry graduates are highly valued by employers, as a degree-level understanding of chemistry is in demand across many different sectors. For some positions, graduates may need to undertake further study in the form of a Master's degree or higher. This requirement can come from areas such as oil or gas, where the work necessitates a high level of precision.
Traditional career paths for Chemistry graduates include Engineering, Science and Technology, Research and Energy and Utilities. These fields require graduates with the knowledge and expertise to work with chemical components every day. However, Chemistry graduates have many skills beyond understanding chemical compositions, and they can find work across all sectors.
Other fields open to graduate with a Chemistry degree include Accountancy, Finance, Retail, Management and Distribution and Logistics. Graduates interested in pursuing a career in theses sectors should emphasise their methodical approach, their numeracy skills, and their considerable communication and organisational skills.
Source HECSU - What do graduates do? 2013.
Taking Stock of Skills
Chemistry graduates have many skills beyond science which they can offer employers:
Analysis - Chemistry graduates will have learned to think analytically in order to assess formulas and data, and this is a skill which can be applied to many different fields, including Sales and Marketing.
Communication - Writing reports and presentations will have taught Chemistry graduates good written communication, which is relevant across virtually all sectors.
Numeracy - No Chemistry student will have made it to graduation without a strong grasp of maths and figures. Graduates should be sure to emphasise this in applications and interviews for positions which require good numeracy skills.
Problem solving - The ability to think logically to solve problems is vital in science, but it can also be applied to a variety of other fields. Employers want to see a graduate's ability to overcome obstacles and deal with issues in an effective way.
Organisation and time management - Chemistry graduates are familiar with working to deadline and managing a heavy workload, which is something employers look for in all candidates.