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Creativity in Action: Chemistry and the Chemical Sciences:

Introducing life beyond exams

Chemistry is the study of substances, what they are made of, how they interact and what role they play in living things. In fact it is the study of all materials and is vital to every aspect of your lives. From the moment you are born and throughout your life you are surrounded by chemistry; in the air you breathe, the food you eat and the clothes you wear.

Chemistry and the chemical sciences open up a world of possibilities and expands your choices. No matter how the world changes in the 21st century, chemistry will always be at the centre of science and at the heart of life. A training in chemical science gives you the skills needed for a wide range of careers.

Careers in chemistry and the chemical sciences are everywhere. From research in space to the depths of the world's oceans, chemists are involved in collecting valuable information. This means that a knowledge of chemistry gives you a greater understanding of the world we live in and could lead to a career which is exciting and enjoyable with lots of variety and opportunities.

Chemists make medicines that help in the fight against cancer and AIDS; improve the colour and taste of foods; investigate the formulations for cosmetics; measure the alcohol content of drinks; improve the way that new materials are used in, eg, roller blades and mountain bikes; and protect the environment for future generations. The career opportunities for chemists are many and varied.

What do chemists do?

1. Careers in industry

We live in an age of chemistry-based technology, and future demands will require chemical expertise in many areas of the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Research and development

Research chemists find answers. They work in an exciting and challenging environment to determine how customers' needs can be met. Research is multi-disciplinary, with teams working with other scientists to discover new chemical entities, whether developing a new medicine to fight cancer or heart disease, or making a new plastic for sports shoes. Researchers are the creative people advancing our understanding of the world around us. Whatever the research it always involves the excitement of discovery.

Development scientists cultivate new discoveries for the marketplace, turning knowledge into opportunity and wealth creation. Working in teams with other scientists and engineers, they provide commercially valuable products to meet customers' needs. Development requires skills beyond a chemical knowledge, such as marketing, economics, safety and management.

Production

Manufacturing commercial products is the main function of most companies. Products made in research and development have to be produced on a large scale. Production specialists ensure that the manufacturing process is efficient, cost-effective and does not harm the environment. This means high yields of pure samples and minimal environmental impact.

Marketing and sales

Selling its products is crucial to the success of any industry. In marketing the emphasis is on estimating the demand for a product, knowing its strengths - and weaknesses - and arriving at a price and quality level for the product, in conjunction with sales and production teams. Good sales people know their company's chief competitors and develop good relationships with customers.

Chemists or chemical scientists can join sales teams direct from college or university or by transferring from other departments. There may be opportunities to transfer between sales and marketing as a method of developing your career. If you have a degree in a chemical science a move into technical support is also possible. Sales and marketing offers excellent opportunities to travel and work abroad, as global markets open up and trade within Europe and in the Asia-Pacific region increases.

Management

Careers in management often develop after experience in other areas. Managers need a knowledge of their business and a wide range of skills, which include interpersonal and decision-making skills. You may start off as a researcher or a production chemist but end up managing a section or even an entire production site.

2. Careers in commerce

After the chemical industry, the commercial sector is one of the largest employers of chemistry graduates.

A chemistry degree is a good training for the world of commerce and employers recognise the key skills of numeracy, problem-solving and communication that are an integral part of all chemistry courses. Whether in accountancy or banking, a chemistry degree can open the door to a successful career in the financial world.

Opportunities are also available in merchant banking. Merchant banks are involved in a range of financial activities including corporate finance and advisory work in connection with area such as takeovers, mergers and amalgamations; banking for governments, institutions and companies; and investment management.

3. Teaching and lecturing

The teaching and lecturing professions have much to offer. They present you with challenges and rewards that few other jobs can offer - including variety and constant intellectual stimulation. You should have an in-depth subject knowledge and be able to use a range of suitable teaching techniques which help your students to learn in a stimulating environment.

Chemistry in particular is central to our everyday lives and chemistry teachers in schools and universities have the opportunity to help students understand the importance of chemistry in this context through theory and experiments.

4. Science Journalism

A background in science can also lead into a career in science journalism. Science journalists have a role to play in acting as intermediaries between science and the public. They have a crucial role in explaining technological innovations and the complex technicalities of the latest discoveries in pure science, whether working in television, radio, newspapers or specialist science magazines.

Science journalists need to be sharp observers and always need to be ready to acquire new information and be able to understand complex technological problems. The way this information is presented needs to be audience friendly and science journalists may need to present difficult concepts in a light manner to hold the audience's attention.

5. Careers in law

Becoming a patent agent

Patent agents are professionals who have a grounding in science and are trained in specialist areas of law. They act for clients who want to legally protect an invention. A patent right must be justified and it is a patent agent's job to secure this right for the client.

Becoming a solicitor

The majority of student that qualify as solicitors do so after having studied law at university or college. However, there are opportunities available for non-law graduates and non-graduates to enter the profession.

Where do you go from here?

Having seen what chemistry and the chemical sciences have to offer now and in the future, you will have realised the importance of qualifications in helping to achieve your career aims. There are a number of options available and it is important that you choose the type of course that most closely matches your interests.

This article has not covered every aspect of chemistry today and further information and advice can be obtained from the Education Department, Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J OBA.; email education@rsc.org , tel 020 7440 3344 or look at www.rsc.org/studentzone

The Royal Society of Chemistry is the leading organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a network of 45,000 members worldwide and an internationally acclaimed publishing business, our activities span education and training, conferences and science policy, and the promotion of the chemical sciences to the public.