Chemistry

One great resource to explore career fields in your major is the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) network. Alumni are glad to speak with you about their careers.  Try searching by major (Chemistry) or by career field and see what some alumni Chemistry majors are doing.  Here are examples of career destinations of alumni Chemistry majors:

Business/Government

  • Technology Analyst, REI
  • Analytical Chemist, Pfizer
  • Reduction Specialist, Washington State Department of Ecology

Education

  • Nutrition Manager, Long Beach Unified School District
  • Assistant Professor, Northern Arizona University

Research Potential Careers

Research will give you confidence in your career choice and provide you with the competitive edge when job searching.  Career and Employment Services has numerous materials to help you in this process.

Check out some of the titles in the Career Resource Library in Howarth 101: 

  • Great Jobs for Chemistry Majors
  • Opportunities in Forensic Science Careers
  • Jobs in the Drug Industry
  • Opportunities in Clinical Laboratory Careers

General Information

Professional Associations

Networking Works!

One of the most powerful tools for investigating career options is informational interviewing.  Informational interviewing provides the means to meet people in the career fields which interest you.   To find people to interview start with those people you know and list your natural network of contacts:

  • Family and their Friends
  • Friends and their Family
  • Volunteer affiliations such as clubs, church, and community organizations
  • Puget Sound Alumni
  • Professionals in the Community

You will gain valuable information to help in deciding your major and possible career path.   Also, you will begin to develop networking contacts for your future job search.  Since only about 10 percent of existing jobs are filled through want ads, learning to network is a critical skill for a successful career search.  At CES we can help you hone your networking skills. 

Investigate Internship Possibilities   

Below are some examples of the internship possibilities listed in Career and Employment Services. See the internship coordinator to learn how internships may be linked to your academic program for credit.

City of Lacey
Water Resources Intern

Northwest Kinetics LLC
Research Assistant

Sol Pro Environmental
Laboratory Technician

Pacific Northwest National Lab
Laboratory Research Assistant

ZymoGenetics
Patent Intern

Job Search Tools

There are numerous tools available to aide you in finding a job, both on the internet and in Career and Employment Services. With Career and Employment Services behind you, you've got the tools you need when it comes to looking for a job.

Take me to Job Searching Tools!