Chemist Whilst you are studying hard and, usually worrying about exams, nothing else seems real. This is why it is vital to be sure of your ground when you take that important first step towards a career. With chemistry you are on solid ground from the start.
Chemists search for and put to practical use new knowledge about substances.
Their research has resulted in the development of a tremendous variety of synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester fabrics, ingredients that have improved other substances and processes which help save energy and reduce pollution, such as improved oil refining methods. Chemists then conduct and develop new or improved products and processes, and test and evaluate the quality of materials. They also develop methods to measure and monitor changes in the chemical composition of the environment. Chemists often work with small apparatus and small quantities of matter, as opposed to chemical engineers, who transform the discoveries of chemists into profitable large scale processes. Chemists may work in research, soil analysis, criminology, pollution control, environmental protection, defence, teaching development of new materials for the pharmaceutical, electronic, food and agriculture industries eg plastics, detergents, artificial fibres, new drugs, paints, dyes, cosmetics, fertilisers and even microchips such areas as quality control, field production, oil refining, gas processing and pipeline transportation in the oil and gas industry.