Chemistry
What Can I Do In My Major?
Overview
Understanding chemistry means understanding the world around you – from how cooking works to how detergent gets clothes clean. Chemists study substances at the atomic and molecular levels to develop new and improved products, test the quality of manufactured goods and develop new theories. Chemistry majors graduate with strong problem-solving skills that are transferrable to a number of professions. Biochemistry is designed for students who wish to use a chemistry background as preparation for graduate or professional schools such as medical, pharmacy, physician assistant or dental school. Chemistry-Certified Chemist has been approved by the American Chemical Society’s committee on professional training. It is ideal for students wanting to go into pharmaceuticals, the chemical industry, medical school or graduate school. Chemistry - Environmental provides a broad and rigorous curriculum in the natural sciences. Students completing this degree will be prepared to enter environmental chemistry positions in industry, business or government. Chemistry - Fermentation Sciences is a highly applied degree for the wine, beer and cheese industries. You will learn how to analyze the chemical properties of these and similar products. Chemistry - Individually Designed degree lets students create their own specialty by combining chemistry with other disciplines, either within the sciences or the humanities. Chemistry - Marketing and Business is ideal for students wanting to go into pharmaceutical sales. In addition to core chemistry and other science courses, this major includes business courses in accounting, marketing, sales management, microeconomics, and more.
Concentrations
Biochemistry
Certified chemist
Environmental
Fermentation Sciences
Forensic Science
Individually designed
Marketing/business
Secondary Education
Related Career Titles
Analytical Chemist
Biochemist*
Brewer Lab Assistant
Chemical Analyst
Chemical Laboratory Technician
Chemical Oceanographer*
Chemical Safety Engineer*
Dentist*
Color Development Chemist
Fire Protection Engineer*
Food and Drug Inspector
Food Chemist*
Forensic Chemist*
Hydrologist*
Laboratory Analyst
Pharmaceutical Sales Rep.
Industrial Chemist
Organic Chemist
Pharmacologist*
Physician/PA*
Physical Chemist
Plastics Engineer*
Pollution Control Chemist
Production Chemist
Quality Control Chemist
Research Chemist*
Risk Manager
Tissue Technologist
Toxicologist*
Water Purification Chemist
*additional experience or advanced degree requiredRelated Skills
Analytical skills
Attending to data
Curiosity
Developing theories
Perform experiments
Organization
Perseverance
Process data
Science and math ability
Remain objective
Technological skills
Observation and decision making
Work independently and in groups
Internship Hosts of ASU Students
Solesence
North Carolina Government
Mohawk Finishing Products
Pneuma Respiratory
New Hanover County
Employers of AppState graduates
Aerospace companies
Agricultural companies
Chemical distributors
American Red Cross
Atrium Health
BASF
Biogen
Boone Drugs Inc.
Carolinas Healthcare System
Catalent Pharma Solutions
Cellular Sales
Chem Quant Analytical Solutions, Llc
Chemical laboratories
Cosmetic companies
Discgenics Full-time
Doble Engineering Company
Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Professional Scientific Services, LLC
Exela Pharma Sciences Llc
Food and beverage companies
Government/Environmental consulting firms
Hazardous waste management corporations
Industrial laboratories
LabCorp
Lewisville Drug Co.
Ligatrap Technologies, LLC
Mineral and metal industries
Pharmaceutical/biotechnology industries
Professional chemical societies
Nasco Products, Llc
National Institutes of Health
NC State Crime Lab
Novartis
Novozymes
Oil companies
Hospital research laboratories
Pace Analytical
Petroleum refineries
Pulp and paper industries
Pharma Sciences
Police laboratories
Research centers/institutes
Pulcra Chemicals Group
Root Bioscience
Science museums
Quality control laboratories
Shire
Talon Analytical
Textile manufacturers
Waterworks departments
UNC REX Healthcare
University Of Tennessee, Knoxville
Utility companies
Wake Forest Baptist Health
Preparing for Your Career
• Develop excellent interpersonal skills to work with diverse populations
• Look for internships and jobs in to gain knowledge and experience
• Participation in internships and summer jobs in a relevant setting
How can I know if a Chemistry degree is right for me?
• Complete a self-assessment inventory at the Career Exploration Office in the Student Union to see how your interests, values, and personality match this major and related career fields.
• Schedule an appointment with a career counselor on careers.appstate.edu/Handshake
• Obtain direct experience by doing a job shadow
• Conduct an informational interview with a professional in the field
For more information on careers & job outlook: onetonline.org
Professional Organizations and Associations
American Chemical Society
Royal Society of Chemistry
American Association for Clinical Chemistry