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What skills will I learn?
As with other scientific disciplines, chemistry has the potential
to help you acquire a diverse skillset. If you decide to follow
a career in scientific research you will learn how to solve
problems through creative thinking and systematically record
chemical proper ties, events and changes. You’ll also develop
the ability to examine and interpret results while evaluating
outcomes. In health care you may learn how to make a
diagnosis, prescribe treatment or dispense medicines. In
other job roles you could be discovering how to teach
chemistry, provide veterinary care, manage environmental
impact or assess commercial viability.
What kind of person do I need to be?
As a chemist you’ll need tenacity and perseverance
especially if you intend to work in scientific research.
You’ll need to have an analytical mind and be capable
of communicating your findings in writing or through
presentations. Knowing where your passion lies will help.
Do you want to develop new medicines, investigate climate
change, protect the environment, or perhaps analyse crime
scenes? Your chosen career path could require you to have
a genuine interest in the welfare of people, industrial
processes or even in preserving works of ar t.
How do I get there?
To work successfully in the field of chemistry you will need
a relevant degree and possibly a master’s qualification or
a PhD. Universities offer a wide range of chemistry based
degree subjects to suit your area of interest. Equally there
are undergraduate courses that have links to chemistry
such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, geology
and engineering. As an alternative, a variety of diploma and
apprenticeship routes are available. Depending on your area
of interest you could train for a relevant qualification at level
2 or level 3 such as a Diploma in Laboratory Science or
a Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants. A good star ting
point is to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs including English,
mathematics and science at grade 5 or above.
Chemistry