Recognize that chemical jobs basics are an umbrella that covers a host of jobs in the chemical industry, from chemical engineering jobs to teaching chemical education to high school or college students. Each area of chemical industry jobs will require different skills, educational backgrounds and personality styles in order for you to be successful.

Review each of the various chemical jobs that fall within this arena so you can evaluate each chemical industry job. Talk to those who are successful in each type of chemical job to learn the ups and downs of each so you can make the best decision for your career path.

1. Find out what chemical industry jobs require in education and characteristics.

2. Select educational opportunities to prepare you for careers in the chemical industry.

3. Join professional organizations geared toward promoting chemical industry jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn more about chemical jobs

Take advantage of the information available to you through college sites. You can find out which types of jobs are in demand and the educational and work experience requirements required to achieve your long-term career choices.

I recommend: College of Charleston has collated information to help you discover more about the chemistry field, including how to gear your education toward your goals and what characteristics employers are looking for. Miami University Middletown offers an in-depth guide to help you learn more about just what workers in chemical technology do.

Find colleges that offer the classes you need for your chemical industry employment

Make sure the colleges you're considering offer the types of chemical education classes you need to succeed. Because of the wide array of options that are covered under the label of the chemistry industry, you want to select a college that meets your specific educational needs. Remember that for all jobs in the chemical industry, you'll need multiple math and science courses to prepare you for more in-depth chemistry classes.

I recommend: Purdue University offers educational opportunities in three chemical programs to prepare you for your preferred job in the chemical industry. Oklahoma State University offers two chemical programs for you to choose from.

Take advantage of professional organizations specific to chemical industry jobs

Learn about the best professional affiliations for you to join. Look for organizations that promote safety and continuing education and that have a high standard of ethical behavior requirements. Affiliating yourself with such organizations helps you achieve your goals in the chemistry industry.

I recommend: ICIS is an organization geared toward those in the chemical and oil industry and prides itself in being a top source for the latest industry news. Check out the organization's forum for helpful insights from industry leaders. American Chemical Society offers the latest news, networking opportunities and ongoing educational options.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Talk to those who work in the chemical industry recruitment and request job shadowing opportunities so you can see the day-to-day practices of those who work in the chemical jobs you're considering.

Careers in the chemical industry are perfect for those with a scientific background.

While most chemical jobs, such as chemical operator jobs or chemical engineer jobs are quite technical, not all jobs require extensive lab experience. There are plenty of sales jobs in chemical industry.

If you want to find chemical industry employment:

1. Get the right education for the chemical job you are interested in. A sales job may require a business degree, which a chemical engineering job may require an advanced degree in chemistry.

2. Take an internship while still a student to gain valuable experience. You can often get a summer internship in the science, which will help you to get a chemical industry job when you graduate.

3. Stay up to date on recent technology. Since the chemical industry is scientific and technical, companies are making advances all the time. Make sure you know about these advancements by subscribing to industry magazines or joining professional organizations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for chemical industry employment in sales

A chemical sales job is just what you need if you have an interest in the chemical industry, but do not want to spend your day in a lab. A sales job allows you to travel and interact with many different kinds of people, which is perfect for those with an outgoing personality.

I recommend: You can search through available positions at Agra Placements Ltd., a company that specializes in chemical sales and agricultural jobs. Alternatively, you can find chemical jobs at MySpace Jobs.

Use chemical industry recruitment services for chemical engineering positions

It doesn't have to be difficult to find chemical engineering jobs. A recruiter that knows the industry inside and out can help match your skills with a company that needs to fill a position. This saves everyone time.

I recommend: Contract with John Peterson, an experienced recruiter in the chemical industry, specializing in placing high-salary positions. Premier Search Associates, Inc. also specializes in placing candidates into chemical engineering positions.

Find chemical jobs in the pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical industry is huge and is a great place for chemical engineers and others interested in the chemical industry to find jobs. Furthermore, there is probably something available in your area, wherever you live.

I recommend: Pharmaopportunities allows you to search for jobs in many ways, including by state, industry, or job type. The PharmaDiversity Job Board encourages minorities to apply for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry. Both sites can help you find the position you've been looking for.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Have a technical resume writer go over your resume before you apply for chemical industry jobs. Companies often overlook many qualified candidates simply because their resume doesn't look up to par. A great resume will impress hiring managers.

Careers in the chemical industry are as varied as the people who work there. Chemical industry jobs encompass everything from engineers to chemists to sales managers. The type of education and training necessary for chemical industry employment depends almost entirely on the chemical job's requirements and job descriptions.

Generally speaking, entry-level jobs require less training and education than more senior jobs. Most chemists positions, as well as chemical engineer jobs, require higher levels of education -- perhaps at the graduate or post-graduate level. Chemical operator jobs, on the other hand, may require certification programs along with a high school diploma. Jobs in administration, management or sales, however, generally require an undergraduate education in a particular area. This article will highlight training and educational requirements for three of the most commonly needed chemical industry jobs:

1. Chemical operators -- one of the largest groups of production workers when looking at chemical industry recruitment;

2. Chemists -- perhaps the largest group of scientists employed in the chemical industry;

3. Business positions -- careers in the chemical industry also encompass sales, administrative and financial positions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn training requirements for chemical operators

Chemical operators are responsible for operating automated equipment and using instruments to test product quality and record and report test results. To secure a chemical industry job as a chemical operator, some companies hire high school graduates, or those with some specialized community college coursework, and place them under the supervision of a more experienced employee. Others attend training programs in the operation of specialized instruments.

I recommend: Washington State Community College offers an online chemical operator program certification, a 12-class program that includes coursework in math and science. Delaware Technical & Community College's Chemical Process Operator Technology curriculum is designed to prepare students for jobs in the chemical industry as well as petroleum, polymer and pharmaceutical plants.

Find out what is needed to qualify for chemists careers in the chemical industry

Chemists are responsible for conducting research and new product development. Chemists usually need a bachelor's degree in engineering or science and an advanced degree is typically requested for research positions.

I recommend: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections discusses education and training requirements for chemist positions. The site also discusses specific recommended coursework for those seeking a chemistry degree with the hopes of pursuing a chemist job. U.S. News & World Report's site allows you to search for top graduate chemistry programs.

Inquire about chemical jobs supporting the business side of the industry

All businesses require administrators, marketing, sales and customer service expertise to support the financial side of the business. The chemical industry is no exception.

I recommend: Southern Oregon University offers a business-chemistry degree for those students who want to pursue jobs in chemical industry fields having to do with management, marketing, sales, advertising, customer service, etc. The Arcadia University B.S. in Chemistry and Business program is "for students who have an interest in chemistry but do not want to pursue a career in research."

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are good at chemistry, but also love other physical sciences, then perhaps you should include forensic chemistry on your list of potential careers in the chemical industry. Forensic chemists combine their knowledge of chemistry, biology, materials science and genetics to analyze evidence and identify criminal activity.