The economy of New Zealand is based largely on primary industry and Chemistry plays a vital role in developing products and ensuring their market competitiveness. For this reason, chemists find no difficulty in obtaining employment. The degree is international and a number of graduates choose to spend some time overseas seeking wider experience at some stage in their careers. A career in Chemistry begins in one of three broad areas - teaching, industry or research. A degree in Chemistry offers many opportunities for a teaching career.
Chemistry emphasises laboratory skills and is a challenging subject to teach.
Hospitals and other health services provide careers for chemists in areas such as analysis and toxicology while Chemistry affords an excellent background for subsequent work in biochemistry, biotechnology or the food industry. These provide intellectual and chemical challenges equal to any in the world. The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, with over 1500 members, lists 47 job categories among its members, from Administration and Agricultural Chemistry, through Ceramics Industry, Metallurgy and Pharmaceuticals, to Surface Chemistry and Teaching. Within these categories a wide range of job descriptions is evident - works chemist, teacher, general manager, scientist, toxicologist, criminalistics expert, engineer, quality control manager and sales director, to name a few. Chemists have always been adaptable and versatile, and there is no doubt that New Zealand's unique mix of primary and secondary industry, small through large companies, and heavy reliance on technology, gives the chemist scope to find and develop a satisfying career.