Graduates with a bachelor's degree generally begin their careers in government or industry by analysing or testing products, working on technical sales or service or assisting senior chemists in research and development laboratories. Some employers have training and orientation programmes which provide special knowledge needed for the employer's type of work. Candidates for an advanced degree often teach or do research in universities while working towards their degrees. Beginning chemists with a master's degree can usually go into applied research in government or private industry. The Phd qualification is generally required for basic research, for teaching in universities and for advancement to many administrative positions.
Chemistry provides an exellent training for numerous careers both scientific and non-scientific.
To be successful you need to think logically, and be creative, numerate and analytical. These skills are much sought after in many walks of life, and would enable you to pursue a career in say computing and finance as well as careers which use chemistry directly. Here is a brief account of some of the fields chemists are employed. Many others are in consumer based industries such as food, paper and brewing or in service industries such as transport, health and water treatment. Chemists in the public sector deal with matters of public concern such as food preservation, pollution and control, defence and nuclear energy.