For some students, chemistry is an end in itself. But because it is central to many other sciences, it also provides an excellent background for the study of interdisciplinary fields. The undergraduate chemistry degree can prepare one not only for more advanced study in chemistry but also biological and biophysical chemistry, materials sciences, environmental sciences, medicine and dentistry. Chemistry is such a pivotal part of civilization that attempting to justify its study is, ipso facto unnecessary. There would be no civilization as we currently know it without chemistry and chemists.
Chemists work in all fields of modern civilization, academe, government, and industry.
From the bench to management, they apply their unique education to today's problems. That does not mean that chemists think everyone should be chemists. On the contrary, many chemistry educated persons do a wide variety of things which are not 'traditional' chemistry, i.e., not bench oriented laboratory efforts. To stand out from the large pool of applicants, being a chemist before attempting to become a health practitioner, is a wise decision. Since the vast majority of business undergraduate students know little more than the material offered in the school of business administration it is clear that actually knowing a subject, one which one is interested in administrating, makes one a desirable addition to a company's roster.