Careers in Chemistry
Chemistry provides
a scientific understanding of the fundamental properties and behaviour
of all
matter. As such, chemistry forms the
basis of many hitech industries, including the pharmaceutical and
advanced
materials industries, and new, emerging fields such as fuel cells,
biosensors,
and thin film technology. The breadth of
the subject means that chemistry is essential in most areas of science
and
technology and there is a broad spectrum of career options for
chemistry graduates.
Chemistry
graduates from University College Cork are in high demand in Ireland and
abroad. Few industries
are more profitable, pay as well and are as recession proof as the
pharmaceutical and chemical industries and these continue to be growing
sectors
in the economy.
Remarkably, the Irish pharmaceutical,
materials and microelectronics industries produce over half the
export income of the country! All these sectors rely
heavily on chemistry graduates for their future growth. Chemists are
employed
in product development and process research, quality control and
assurance, as
well as environmental monitoring and control. A chemistry degree also
teaches the
skills required in areas as diverse as electronic manufacturing, the
food
industry, and government laboratories.
In addition, most chemical companies offer in-house training in management, finance control, sales and patents, and careers may be developed in non-chemistry directions. Careers in teaching, hospitals, management or business are all possible for chemistry graduates, who are known for their analytical, numerical, and practical training. Many of our graduates find that they want to contribute actively to expanding and applying scientific knowledge, and choose to pursue doctoral research.
