What Can I Do With a Major In Chemistry?
UGA Specific Information for Chemistry
Chemistry majors are trained to think both analytically and creatively to solve practical and research problems. Chemistry majors work all primary work sectors: non-profit, education and government, and industry, some proceed to law or medical degrees. Nearly 70 percent of chemists work in industry. Half of the chemists work with research. Bachelor’s degrees qualify for employment with the federal government in quality control and analytical positions, research and for the development of fuels and medicines.
"The Department of Chemistry strives for an ideal balance between knowledge creation and knowledge dissemination in the chemical sciences, with a focus on student training and education. Our mission is to train and mentor students as responsible scientists and scientifically literate professionals, involving them in all aspects of chemistry and the global chemical enterprise." --UGA Chemistry Dept. Mission Statement
Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Chemistry*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
- Chemical Society (Student Chapter)
- Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honors Society
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- Beta Beta Beta is a National Biological Honor Society
- Pre-Nursing Club
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club
- Pre-Physician Assistant Club
- Pre-Pharmacy Society – Email Address: pharmsoc@uga.edu
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations
Finding Research:
- On-Campus: use the UGA Career Guide for templates and guidance on reaching out to faculty to gain research experience, the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) at UGA can also support you in finding research opportunities.
- Off-Campus: Research Experiences for Undergraduates offered through the National Science Foundation and ORISE Fellowships offered through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education are great options. The Career Center can help you prepare your materials for research fellowship applications. You can also search for research internships and full and part-time positions in Handshake.
Pre-Health Students: The UGA Career Center offers support specifically for you through Pre-Health Appointments, which can be scheduled through Handshake. The Career Center can help you:
- explore roles in healthcare
- prepare application materials
- prepare for interviews
- navigate growth years.
You can self-enroll in our Career Development Resources eLC for Pre-Health Students for helpful information that you can access from anywhere at any point. If you have questions specifically about GPA, application walkthroughs, and prerequisite course requirements for professional programs, schedule an appointment with the Pre-Professional Advising Office.
Additional Career Research Resources
O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.
My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.
Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.
Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.
Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.
UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.
Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance.
Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.
Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.
Employment Websites
General
- Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)
- LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!)
- Idealist (non-profit jobs)
- USAJobs (federal jobs)
Major/Industry Specific
- American Chemical Society Jobs
- Science Jobs
- Nature Jobs – Chemistry
- ChemistryJobs.com
- Organic Chemistry Jobs Worldwide
- Computational Chemistry List
- SCA – Internships; Gap Years (room/board/stipend)
- Environmental Jobs & Careers
- Georgia Bio Job Board (Atlanta-area biotechnology group offering networking events and career resources)
- UGA iPAWS Job Board for Full-Time Opportunities on Campus (click "Search Postings" and then explore "Staff-Full Benefits" and "Temporary" listings for research-related and other campus opportunities)
Professional Associations/Resources
- American Chemical Society
- ACS Publications
- Am. Assoc. Advancement of Science
- Journal of Chemical Education
Tip: Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. Need help finding groups? Check out the Groups You May Like link under the Interests/Groups tab. Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.
Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 Chemistry majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
Employer | Position Title(s) |
---|---|
ABLE Kids | Registered Behavioral Technician | ADM Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes | Quality Assurance Technician | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute | Research Technician | GEL | Analyst | Georgia Department of Natural Resources | Chemical Analyst I | Goodman Dermatology, P.C. | Medical Assistant | J.P. Morgan | Risk Analyst | Mayo Clinic | Clinical Laboratory Scientist | SK Battery America | Quality Engineer | Stateside Associates | Regulatory Associate | Stepan Company | QA Analyst | Summerlake Water Park | Supervisor | Takeda | Laboratory Technician | Takeda | Laboratory Technician | University of Georgia | Complex Carbohydrate Research Center Research Technician |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Chemistry majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
Graduate School | Program(s) |
---|---|
Augusta University | Medicine, MD | Augusta University | Medicine, MD | Augusta University | Medicine, MD | Georgia Institute of Technology | Chemistry, PhD | Georgia State University | Chemistry, Degree Not Specified | Mercer University | Unspecified Master's Program, MS | Ohio State University | Chemistry, PhD | University of Colorado Boulder | Physical Chemistry, PhD | University of Georgia | Chemistry, BS | University of Georgia | Chemistry, Degree Not Specified | University of Georgia | Chemistry, PhD | University of Georgia | Pharmacy, Degree Not Specified | University of Georgia | Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Degree Not Specified | University of Louisville | Dentistry, DMD | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Chemistry, PhD |