FROM STUDY TO SKILLS
All academic programs offered at the UM help students develop valuable transferable skills. Chemistry has been called “the central science” because of its impact on and connection to all other scientific disciplines, from engineering to life sciences. As a Chemistry major, you will learn to observe nature closely, ask questions about your observations, and then develop experiments to answer those questions. Thus, a degree in Chemistry will prepare you to apply fundamental analytic and problem-solving skills across a wide range of professions.
Related fields include Physics, Math, Biology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Statistics, and Computer Science.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Analytical Skills
Summarizing research findings
Attending to details
Analyzing data
Testing hypotheses
Developing theories
Clarifying problems
Identifying relationships between problems and solutions
Reasoning by analogy
Perceiving patterns and structures
Applying logic to problems
Evaluating results
Investigative Skills
Remaining objective
Reviewing relevant data
Applying concepts
Utilizing formulae
Researching information
Observing carefully
Asking questions
Designing experiments
Applying knowledge creatively
Technical Skills
Processing data
Solving quantitative problems
Tabulating data
Sampling for surveys
Using laboratory equipment
Maintaining precision and accuracy
Communication Skills
Writing clearly
Explaining complex ideas for technical and nontechnical audiences
Organizing and reporting data
Designing charts/graphs
Reporting results and conclusions orally and in writing
Presenting alternative explanations
BUILDING YOUR SKILLS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, teamwork and interpersonal skills, initiative, and a strong work ethic. The Chemistry Department provides numerous ways for undergraduates to get extensive research experience. Student organizations and campus employment offer additional valuable opportunities to add to the skills you are developing in your classes. Other options include study abroad, off-campus employment or volunteering in the community. Finally, a summer internship may be the best way of all to test out a career field and develop marketable skills.
FROM SKILLS TO CAREER
As a Chemistry concentrator you will develop both general and technical skills applicable to a wide range of careers. For example, close attention to detail and accuracy may be equally useful whether working as a research chemist for a pharmaceutical company, a patent lawyer, or an editor at a scientific publication. Many concentrators go on to graduate or professional school. The list below is a sample of careers undertaken by Chemistry graduates.
Analytical Skills
Laboratory manager
Hospital administrator
Information systems manager
Bioinformatics researcher
Pharmaceutical research chemist
Patent lawyer
Physician
Programmer/analyst
Research scientist
Analytical chemist
Market research analyst
Sales manager
Biochemist
Investigative Skills
Regulatory chemist
Safety inspector
Agronomist
County health department inspector
Water works supervisor
Quality assurance manager
Federal drug administration inspector
Sewer system supervisor
OSHA enforcement agent
Environmental risk assessor
Environmental compliance officer
Forensic scientist
Industrial hygienist
Technical Skills
Art conservator
Veterinarian
Toxicologist
Radiation health specialist
Nurse-anesthetist
Pathologist
Medical examiner
Serologist
Polymer chemist
Textile dyes analyst
Flavorist
Chemical engineer
Hazardous materials manager
Communication Skills
College instructor
Science teacher, K-12
Scientific editor /writer
Museum education coordinator
Chemical information specialist
= Further Study Required
= Green Jobs
For more career information, see O*Net at http://online.onetcenter.org/
CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
The department offers majors in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Complete information on course offerings and requirements may be found on the Chemistry website or the LSA Bulletin. Prerequisites include two years of chemistry and mathematics and one year of physics.
Department of Chemistry
Student Administrative Assistant
1500 Chemistry Building
734-647-2858
www.umich.edu/~michchem/
Newnan Advising Center
1255 Angell Hall
734-764-0332
www.lsa.umich.edu/advising
NEXT STEPS / RESOURCES
To visit the Chemistry Department career page of internship, jobs, and graduate school information:
http://www.umich.edu/~michchem/undergrad/gradplan.html
To begin connecting to professionals in fields that interest you, create your own LinkedIn account:
www.careercenter.umich.edu/article/getting-started-linkedin
To identify internships or job opportunities, visit Handshake: https://careercenter.umich.edu/article/handshake
On campus jobs (work-study and non work-study jobs) are listed at:
https://studentemployment.umich.edu/JobX_Home.aspx
Maize Pages list hundreds of organizations for students to get involved in: http://studentorgs.umich.edu/maize
The Career Center
3200 Student Activities Building
734-764-7460
www.careercenter.umich.edu
www.facebook.com/careercenter.umich
http://twitter.com/careercenter
The Career Guide series was developed by the University of Michigan Career Center, Division of Student Affairs, in cooperation with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. ©2011 Regents of the University of Michigan