Molecules can be studied as isolated species, in small groups, or as vast assemblies. The modes of thought range from the highly quantitative methods of the physical chemist to the more pictorial and intuitive thinking of the synthetic chemist. There are niches in chemistry for many types of people. Chemists are also widely employed in the health industry, in hospitals, in research institutes, in drug companies, and in the food and agriculture industry. Environmental chemistry is rapidly growing.
Teaching is another option.
A bachelor's degree plus appropriate education courses are required for high school teaching. Junior college and university teaching requires an advanced degree, usually a Ph.D. Graduate training in chemistry, ordinarily the Ph.D., is required to become a research scientist in industry, at national laboratories, or as a faculty member at a research university such as the University of Tennessee. The Ph.D., which can be obtained after about four years of graduate school, signifies that the holder is trained in research and in designing projects to answer fundamental questions. Those interested in pursuing a research career in chemistry should seriously consider graduate school. In addition to the traditional careers, a degree in Chemistry is the basis for many professional endeavors because Chemistry contributes to society in a myriad of ways.