Because environmental chemistry is so interdisciplinary, excellent communication skills, teamwork, the ability to associate with people and express ideas efficiently to a nonscientific audience are all important. This last challenge will become apparent when dealing with regulations or with sales and marketing individuals in your own company. As environmental management expands globally, chemists with the added knowledge of other languages may be even more successful. Candidates with a Ph.D. degree will find more interesting work more quickly than those with a master's or bachelor's degree. However, because the field is growing so rapidly, opportunities do exist for individuals with an associate's degree.
Companies often hire graduates from schools with well-established programs.
Employers also look for candidates who demostrate the ability to broaden their skills and think in an interdisciplinary manner. Course work in subjects related to the environment is one indication of this. Due to increased government regulations, job opportunities for environmental chemists continue to grow. Despite downsizing, companies are placing greater emphasis on compliance and environmental processes. Opportunities exist for chemists to move into different areas of expertise outside a traditional job in the lab.