Although graduate students typically specialize in a subfield of chemistry, such as analytical chemistry or polymer chemistry, students usually need not specialize at the undergraduate level. In fact, undergraduates who are broadly trained have more flexibility when job hunting or changing jobs than if they narrowly define their interests. Some employers provide new bachelor's degree chemists with additional training or education. In government or industry, beginning chemists with a bachelor's degree work in technical sales or services, quality control, or assist senior chemists in research and development laboratories. Some may work in research positions, analyzing and testing products, but these are often technicians' positions, with limited upward mobility.
Many employers prefer chemists with a Ph.D. to work in basic and applied research.
A Ph.D. is also generally required for a 4-year college faculty position and for advancement to many administrative positions. Chemists who work in sales, marketing, or professional research positions often move into management eventually. Many people with a bachelor's degree in chemistry enter other occupations in which a chemistry background is helpful, such as technical writers or sales representatives in chemical marketing. Some enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other health profession schools. Others choose from a wide range of occupations with little or no connection to chemistry.