AREAS | EMPLOYERS | STRATEGIES |
ANALYTICAL | | |
- Research
- Development
- Analysis and Testing
- Consulting
- Environmental
- Forensics
| - Federal, state, and local government
- Federal agencies including National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Manufacturing firms including textile, petroleum, food, electronics, glass, paper, packaging, machinery, cosmetics, paint, drug, and chemical industries
- Industrial production and inspection agencies
- Research laboratories and organizations
- Environmental protection organizations
- Colleges and universities
| - Learn federal, state, and local government job application process.
- Gain experience in a laboratory.
- Become proficient with high-tech scientific equipment.
- Take electives in your area of interest.
|
BIOCHEMICAL | | |
- Research
- Development
- Analysis and Testing
- Consulting
- Quality Control
- Medical
- Environmental
- Industrial Health & Safety
- Hospital Administration
| - Research laboratories and organizations
- Pharmaceutical and medical research firms
- Biotechnology firms
- Plant and animal breeders and growers
- Food processors
- Industrial production and inspection agencies
- Environmental protection organizations
- Federal, state and local government, such as the Centers for Disease Control
- Colleges and universities
| - Take additional courses in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, cytology, and physiology.
|
ORGANIC | | |
- Research
- Development
- Analysis and Testing
- Quality Control
- Consulting
| - Industries related to petroleum, coal, wood products, plastics, textiles, and food
- Manufacturing firms developing new synthetic materials and new production processes
- Research organizations
- Federal and state government
- Colleges and universities
| - Gain additional laboratory and research experience through internships and summer jobs
|
GEOCHEMISTY | | |
- Environmental Remediation
- Research & Development
- Analysis & Testing
| - Environmental organizations
- Water processing plants
- Natural resources organizations
| - Take Geology & Environmental Science Electives
|
INORGANIC | | |
- Research
- Analysis and Testing
- Quality Control
- Consulting
| - Research laboratories and organizations
- Industries involved in mining, electronics, and synthetic materials
- Federal and state government
- Colleges and universities
| - Choose appropriate coursework to specialize in an area.
- Develop additional laboratory skills and experience.
|
POLYMER CHEMISTRY | | |
- Research & Development
- Analysis & Testing
| - Industrial & commercial organizations such as textiles and plastics
| - Gain research experience.
|
PHYSICAL | | |
- Research
- Development
- Analysis and Testing
- Quality Control
- Consulting
| - Research laboratories and organizations
- Industries involving electrical, nuclear, gas, heat, or light energy
- Federal government
- Colleges and universities
| - Take related courses in social sciences and economics.
- Obtain strong mathematical background.
|
EDUCATION | | |
- Teaching
- Research
- Administration
| - Private and public secondary schools
- Colleges and universities
| - Obtain certification/licensing for teaching in public schools.
- Acquire a master's degree for community college teaching and a Ph.D. for colleges and universities.
|
BUSINESS | | |
- Technical Sales/Marketing
- Pharmaceutical Sales
- Management
- Banking/Finance
- Advertising/Public Relations
- Consulting
- Industrial Quality Control
- Research & Development
| - Manufacturing firms
- Drug stores
- Medical/Pharmaceutical supply companies
- Industries including textiles, petroleum, food, electronics, glass, paper, packaging, machinery, cosmetics, paint, drugs, and chemicals.
- Agricultural product companies
- Environmental management organizations
- Waste management firms
| - Take courses in public speaking.
- Obtain a minor in business.
- Develop strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Hold leadership positions in campus organizations.
- Join related student organizations, e.g., American Marketing Association, Financial Management Association, Public Relations Student Society of America, etc.
|
TECHNICAL WRITING | | |
- Proposals
- Specification Manuals
- Writing
- Editing
| - Research product development departments and organizations
- Publishing firms including books, scientific and research journals, technical press, large newspapers, and wire services
| - Take advanced technical writing courses.
- Become proficient with word processing and desktop publishing.
|
LAW | | |
- Patent Agents
- Patent Attorneys
- Legislator/Lobbyist
| - Manufacturing firms
- Research and development firms
- Law firms
- Private practice
- Environmental agencies
| - Obtain law degree to become an attorney.
|
INFORMATION SPECIALISTS/TECHNICAL LIBRARIES | | |
| - Special libraries
- Research organizations
- Colleges and universities
- Large manufacturing firms, especially chemicals and pharmaceuticals
| - Obtain master's degree in library and information science.
- Develop computer retrieval skills.
- Join Special Libraries Association, Chemistry Division.
|
GENERAL INFORMATION | | |
- Undergraduate degree sufficient for entry-level positions such as lab coordinator, research assistant, product testing or analysis, technical sales, or service representative.
- Master's degree sufficient for most applied research positions, industrial work, and some community college teaching.
- Ph.D. degree required for university teaching and advanced positions in management and research and development. Postdoctoral experience is preferred for research positions in industry, universities and government.
- Advanced degrees help speed career advancement.
- Develop strong computer, mathematics and science skills/knowledge.
- Obtain part-time, volunteer, co-op, internship, or summer experience.
- Obtain practical experience using various laboratory equipment and high-tech scientific equipment and data.
- Maintain excellent grades.
- Complete an undergraduate research project.
- Consider electives in computer science, engineering, business, public speaking, and writing.
- Join related student professional organizations.
- Read related professional magazines and journals.
|
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1995, Revised 2000)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer |
