Chemistry Related Links
Customized Statistics Report - Chemists
Job Description - Chemists
American Chemical Society
Association of Consulting Chemists and Chemical Engineers
Univeristy of Florida Chemistry
University of Central Florida Chemistry
The National Security Agency
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
Aerotek Scientific
Rexall Sundown
Books Related to Chemistry:
Title: Chemistry An Intro to General, Organic,
& Biological Chemistry
Author: Timberlake, Karen
Publisher: Benjamin/Cummings 2001
Edition: 7th
ISBN: 0805335684
DBCN: AUQ-4253
Title: Chemistry : an industry-based introduction with CD-ROM / John Kenkel, Paul B. Kelter, David S. Hage. Author: Kenkel, John.
Publisher: Boca Raton : Lewis Publishers, c2001.
LCCN: 00030343
ISBN: 1566703034 (acid-free paper)
DBCN: ASZ-474 3.
Title: Chemistry today and tomorrow : the central, useful, and creative science / Ronald Breslow.
Author: Breslow, Ronald.
Publisher: Washington, DC : American Chemical Society ; Boston : Jones and Barlett, c1997.
LCCN: 96045078
ISBN: 0841234604 (American Chemical Society : alk. paper)
DBCN: AGN-0304
Chemistry Career Essay
After researching my intended career, I am extremely excited about it and think it will blend very well with my lifestyle. I feel that it will be very involving for me, but that I could break away from it if need be. At times I may have to entertain small amounts of vigorous activity, but on the whole I will probably just be in a lab.
I am currently single and don't have a family, so the salary is more than ample for my budget. However, I do want to have a family in the future, in which case I still believe the salary will be more than enough. As far as budgeting time for work and family, I believe that chemistry is a career that is able to be interrupted for short periods of time. If I wanted to take a couple of years off to take care of my children while they were young, then I could do so without sacrificing my work potential. I would still have my experience and education to rely on.
At first I was wary of being able to find a job easily with a chemistry degree, but after researching it and seeing what is available out there, I don't think I will have nearly as much trouble as I thought I would. Chemists are always in demand for companies and cities and teaching is certainly an option as well. In fact, I have been looking into what is involved in the pharmaceutical division of chemistry. It is a branch that looks exciting and is always in demand.
I hope that at some point during my graduate years I will be able to secure an internship, which would provide experience and may even give me a foot in the door. I will likely pursue a master's degree and perhaps a doctorate, which would also open the door for employment.
As far as location goes, I am willing to move if need be. However, that may not be necessary considering the flexibilty of my chosen career. I prefer a suburban environment, somewhere between the big city and the sticks.
In relation to stress, I find the field so fascinating that I don't think there will be many instances of stress overload, but the job may be demanding. Much of my time will probably be spent in a lab working by myself or in small groups, which is a very good situation in my opinion. A possible downside would be an occasion where I had been doing labwork for an extended period of time and then made a mistake that jeopardized my whole project. My biology teacher at a different community college used to relate similar events that had occured to him in his career before he became a teacher. In those cases, stress may be elevated to high levels. That is part of the career that I have accepted and could learn to deal with. All in all, I think I've found the right niche.
