Chemist as a Career: Red Hot Job Trend

2011- International Year of Chemistry

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and UNESCO have declared 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry. The International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011) is a worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind.

Chemistry is an integral part of our life, the smallest soil particle to a giant blue whale is all chemistry. As we all know that major part of our body is made up of water, that is, oxygen and hydrogen and rest are all organic and inorganic chemicals. We do not realize the role of chemistry in our day to day life. Have you ever thought the bright colours you see around you are actually different chemical compounds; the air you inhale is a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, etc, all chemical elements.

Life came into existence when there were chemical reactions leading to formation of organic chemicals from inorganic chemicals. Carbon based compounds were formed followed by origin of unicellular organisms, first life forms. Opportunities in chemistry are virtually unlimited, it's a real world with magical abra ka dabra happening as you get to know it better.

Chemistry is considered as the central science, with basic physics principles on one side and biology on the other. Career in Chemistry is significant in meeting challenges such as providing clean water, food and energy, advancement in medicine and creating a better environment for humans. Considering the countless possibilities for students opting career in chemistry, there are a lot of colleges offering courses in this field.

Courses in Chemistry

To start your career in chemistry you should at least have a bachelor's degree; although, most positions especially those in research require a Ph.D.

There are various fields in chemistry; you can take up the course according to your interest-

• Agricultural Chemistry- As we know, Indian economy is mainly based on agriculture, government is paying major attention in this area. There are jobs available in both government and private sectors.
  
• Analytical Chemistry- Analytical chemists are employed in every part of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical, food, chemicals and waste management industries as well as in government and private consulting labs and with vendors of chemical instrumentation.
  
• Biotechnology- As this is a developing field; major drug companies have added biotechnology as a division. Chemical companies with huge businesses also have extensive biotechnology labs. Biotechnology companies are generally located near universities.
  
• Biochemistry- Companies employ biochemists in clinical research, research quality control, manufacturing, and information systems with applications to the environment, human health care, energy, agriculture, and animal health.

• Chemical Education- If one is interested in teaching career, they can apply for jobs in colleges, high schools, middle schools, or graduate schools.
  
• Chemical Engineering- There is job opportunity in chemical process industry as researcher, economic analyst, in sales and management. Petroleum and refineries industry also recruit chemical engineers. They can also apply for lucrative government jobs.
  
• Chemical Technology- Chemical technicians are in demand in chemical, engineering, and oil companies. They are employed by state and central government in government science agencies and national research labs.
  
• Chemical Sales- Many chemists having good managerial skills work as sales and marketing representatives in the chemical industry.
  
• Catalysis- This is a research based field. Chemists having held on their subject are employed in government and private laboratories.

• Chemical Information Specialist- Work with computers and apply research techniques. Chemical information specialists are hired by libraries, chemical companies, market research firms, management consulting firms and chemical companies.
  
• Customer Product Chemistry-Chemical engineers and chemist are employed in chemical, and basic chemical manufacturing and development companies.
  
• Environmental Chemistry- Waste management companies and consulting firms employ such chemists to do consulting or remediation work.
  
• Food and Flavor Chemistry- Food scientists are employed mainly by industry, both in ingredient supply and food processing companies. Food chemists also work for the government-at the Food and Drug Administration.
  
• Forensic Chemistry- Forensic chemists work in crime labs associated with a central, state, or local police department.
  
• Oil and Petroleum Chemistry- There are various vacancies in large oil companies for chemists. Many chemists work at companies that supply chemicals to petroleum companies.
  
• Medicinal Chemistry- There are work opportunities for medicinal chemists mainly in the pharmaceutical companies and clinical research labs.

• Material Chemistry- One of hottest careers in Chemistry, Materials Science is about structure, composition, application processes and synthesizing of materials. Material scientists are employed by companies that produce metals, ceramics, rubber, coatings (where they develop new varieties of paint) and biologics industries (where they design materials that are compatible with human tissues for prosthetics and implants), superconducting materials, graphite materials, IC, and fuel cells. Since it is an interdisciplinary field, preparation in a number of related areas and specialization is quite important.

• Polymer Chemistry- Polymer chemists get employed in industries related to adhesives, synthetic rubber, coating, synthetic fibers, agricultural chemicals, automotive, aircraft, aerospace, and biomedical.
• Water Chemistry- There is a huge demand for water chemists in the large water treatment industry existing world over. Most manufacturing companies use water as part of their production or cooling processes.
  
• Textile Chemistry- Textile chemists are in demand in the polymer industry manufacturing synthetic fibers.

Career in Chemistry

Chemists have a wide range of work field, in fact, the scope is infinite. Chemist work from finding treatment for cancer, to protecting our ozone layer, to synthesizing new fabrics, to making new polymer paints, the list is endless. The potential of professional growth is unlimited as you take up advanced studies in Chemistry. Students studying chemistry can go for summer internships which is an excellent way to learn and explore their opportunities. Many companies recruit from campuses as there is major demand for well versed and knowledgeable students.

Some colleges offering courses in chemistry and allied subjects:

• Bharati Vidyapeeth's R&D Centre in Applied Chemistry (Polymer)
• Dolphin (PG) Institute of Bio Medical and Natural Sciences (DIBNS) - Uttranchal
• Biyani Group Of Colleges - Biyani Girls college, Jaipur
• Muthayammal College of Arts and Science - Tamil Nadu
• Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM University) - Andhra Pradesh
• Lovely School of Technology and Sciences, Punjab
• Gyani Inder Singh Institute, Dehradoon
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi
• Jai Hind college, Mumbai
• St. joseph's college of Engineering, Chennai
• Birla Institute of technology and science, Pilani

Conclusion:

If you have the love for science and have the zeal to explore, understand and unleash the secrets around you, you should opt for Career in Chemistry.

Source: Shraddha Singh (Shiksha Team)