Expert: Beth - 10/23/2006

Question
Well, how easy is it to get a good job with a bachelor's degree in chemistry?  

Answer
Johann,

How easy it is to find a good chemistry job depends on where you live. If you live close to a large city, it won't be hard to find a good job. If you are willing to move, you won't have any problems either. Even if you live in a small town, you might be able to find something. The pay will be lower. Chances are the job itself will require more physical than mental work. This is something I ran into in the Midwest. The employers were searching for someone with a BS degree in chemistry and the job title was "chemist." The work they wanted me to do didn't require chemistry knowledge beyond high school, though. Actually, I think someone could have gotten by without any chemistry knowledge. I was basically supposed to shake and pour stuff out of a funnel the entire day. All of the jobs in my area were similar to this. At first I thought it was because I didn't have any experience right out of college. When I looked at jobs in larger cities, I found out that there are better jobs in other areas...

- Beth