Blog #3: Majors and Jobs

For years I have wanted to major in any of the physical sciences, but during my junior year of high school I realized that my true interests lie in chemistry. While I may change my mind in the upcoming months during college application season, I may also pair this major with another in materials sciences (however this may have to switch to a minor because double-majoring as a pre-med sounds horrific).

Chemistry Laboratory Technician (entry level)

A general position whose tasks vary greatly per organization, but is mainly centered around scientific research or testing. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations, performing chemical tests, analyzing compounds and chemicals for a variety of qualities and concentrations of substances, and ensuring quality of products.

• Average Pay: The average wage for a Chemical Laboratory Technician is around $38,000 annually. The lowest pay is in Mississippi at $27,000, but highest at $55,000 in D.C.
• Education Required: Most people with this job move on to other positions after 20 years in this career. Some companies may accept an associate’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biology is preferred for the entry level.
• Personalities: Pragmatic, abstract, over-achieving, and inquisitive. Demonstrate high competence in areas of interest, utilize knowledge to form innovative, logical solutions. Interested in appreciating and manipulating the ways in which the world operates both at an atomic and seeable level.

Inorganic Chemist

Inorganic chemistry deals with the properties and behavior of inorganic compounds such as metals, minerals, and organometallic compounds. To be succinct, the work is based on understanding the behavior of inorganic elements and how these materials can be modified, separated, and used in industries from mining to microchips.

• Average Pay: The average wage for an Inorganic Chemist is around $70,000 annually. Attempting to state the regional differences is very difficult because the pay mostly depends on years of experience and the individual company.
• Education Required: It is possible to be hired with only a bachelor degree, but employers stress the importance of receiving a PhD so that the employee can possible lead their own team in the future. This degree also showcases specialization in the field.
• Personalities: (These traits are the same as the laboratory technician due to similarities of profession).

Metallurgist

Metallurgists investigate and examine the performance of metals such as iron, steel, aluminum, nickel and copper and use them to produce products. Some extract useable metals from ores and study metal corrosion. Others study the behavior of metals under different stressors (such as stress), or they may work on developing alloys for future applications.

• Average Pay: The average wage for a metallurgist is around $100,000 annually. This average stays generally the same across the United States, but generally the amount is higher in northeastern states.
• Education Required: A degree in metallurgy, materials science/technology or a similar engineering subject. It is necessary that applicants have a masters degree at minimum. Specialist with postgraduate degrees are viewed most favorably by employers in research positions.
• Personalities: Extremely innovative and curious about different ways to develop or enhance a product. Excellent critical thinkers to interpret manufacturing design requirements for product application as well as good under pressure (i.e. time-critical decisions).