What Can You Do with a Chemistry Major?

Today, I’ll share information about the industries where Chemistry majors can work. When students choose their majors, they often have vague ideas and make decisions without fully understanding the options. So, let’s start by discussing Chemistry, specifically.

Chemistry Major

Chemical reactions are fundamental to various aspects of our lives. Whether it’s cooking, the virus responsible for COVID-19, or hormones within our bodies, all of these involve chemical reactions. Chemistry is the discipline that explores how to make reactions happen effectively or prevent them from occurring. It’s a field that significantly impacts humanity, explaining phenomena worldwide through chemical reactions. In terms of flexibility, Chemistry stands out among the three areas: Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. Students who find math or physics challenging and dislike memorization in biology often consider Chemistry as their major. Chemistry intersects with both Biology and Physics in many ways.

Divisions of Chemistry

Chemistry can be broadly categorized into five areas:

Biochemistry: This field examines reactions within living organisms, including humans, animals, and plants. Biochemists study reactions that occur in biological systems.

Career Opportunities: Biochemistry graduates can work in pharmaceutical companies. Besides Biochemistry specialists, these companies also employ biologists who research product safety and pharmacists. Physicists may also be involved in studying how efficiently drugs can be produced at the same cost.

Notable pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, Merck & Co., and GlaxoSmithKline offer potential opportunities worldwide.

Organic Chemistry: Organic Chemistry focuses on compounds related to carbon (symbolized by C). When we think of chemists in white coats mixing substances in labs, we’re often envisioning Organic Chemistry. Organic chemists create various chemical formulas, use catalysts, and conduct experiments to achieve desired results.

Career Opportunities: Organic Chemistry graduates can find jobs in pharmaceutical or cosmetic companies. In the cosmetic industry, they explore safe and economically viable methods for reducing wrinkles or achieving skin whitening.

Renowned companies like L’Oreal, Unilever, P&G, Estee Lauder, Shiseido, Beiersdorf, LVMH, Kao, Coty, and Johnson & Johnson offer potential career paths.

Analytical Chemistry: If you remember using litmus paper during school experiments, that’s a form of Analytical Chemistry. Analytical chemists handle various instruments, such as centrifuges, while analyzing substances. They can work in the cosmetics industry, pharmaceutical companies, or even specialize in environmental science-related analysis.

Analytical Chemistry graduates may analyze COVID-19 test kit results or determine the age of archaeological artifacts discovered by archaeologists.

Inorganic Chemistry / Physical Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry deals with non-carbon-containing compounds. On the other hand, Physical Chemistry is closely related to physics. Material Science is another field closely connected to these areas.

Industries Directly Relevant to Our Lives:

Semiconductor Industry: In the United States, investments are being made to advance the semiconductor field by competing with Korea and Taiwan. Researchers specializing in Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Material Science play crucial roles in studying semiconductors.

Display Technology: Researchers in this field explore flexible displays and related technologies.

Solar Energy: Solar panel research, a growing field, also intersects with these majors.

At A-One Institute, the director, who specializes in Inorganic Chemistry, Physics Chemistry, and Material Science, recently authored a paper on sensor development using hydrogels. This research was published in the journal Advanced Materials, and the director’s work even graced the cover!

Chemical Engineering

When you add “Engineering” to “Chemical,” you get Chemical Engineering! This field is incredibly diverse. Studying Chemical Engineering involves taking numerous courses, and it opens up various career paths. Let’s explore some of them:

Battery Development: Chemical Engineering intersects with electronics, making it possible to work on battery development. Given the growing electric vehicle industry, battery-related prospects are bright.

Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics: After learning mechanics and fluid mechanics within engineering, you can apply these principles in practical scenarios.

Nord Stream Gas Pipeline: Consider the Nord Stream gas pipeline connecting Russia to Germany. It transports natural gas through deep-sea or underground pipes. Chemical Engineers play a crucial role in designing efficient pumps that move gas effectively, even uphill.

Material Science: In this field, researchers study how to create cost-effective, high-efficiency materials for long pipelines like Nord Stream.

Chemical Engineers handle complex calculations, determining factors like pump selection and required power. Their work involves intricate calculations, which contributes to their relatively high salaries.

Quantum Mechanics and Targeted Drug Delivery: While there are many specialized areas within Chemical Engineering (such as quantum mechanics or targeted drug delivery), today, I’ve focused on aspects directly relevant to our daily lives.

When students choose their majors, it’s essential to envision the bigger picture of potential career paths. I hope this post provides helpful insights.

Thank you for reading!