Why Study Chemistry?
What is a Chemist?
Chemists are the people who transform the everyday materials around us into amazing things.
Some chemists work on cures for cancer while others monitor the ozone protecting us from the sun; others discover new materials to make our homes warmer in the winter, or new textiles to be used in the latest fashions.
The knowledge gained through the study of chemistry opens many career pathways.
Careers
Chemistry is recognised by many employers as a subject that allows students to develop their problem solving skills and research skills through an analytical and logical approach – vital skills in any workforce.
The study of chemistry provides global work opportunities. Chemistry underpins understanding and progress in almost every sphere of science, technology and industry. It also makes a vital contribution to the economy, commerce and industry.
While many careers involve graduates using their chemistry skills directly, many employment destinations do not involve doing chemistry on a day-to-day basis. Not all chemists wear white coats!
Chemists can write clearly and succinctly on technical topics and can condense complex information into simpler forms. Chemists have excellent numeracy and are highly computer literate.
Communication Skills
There are many benefits of studying chemistry. Chemistry courses can teach you how to communicate complex ideas or concepts through the written and spoken word. These advanced literacy skills gained through the many papers you will write in chemistry classes can assist you in writing reports and giving presentations later in life.
Throughout your chemistry coursework, you will need to create spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and detailed reports with references. This will help you to understand and use different types of computer software that is also used in the professional workplace.
There is a lot of data handling in chemistry. Juggling complex concepts, mathematical statistics and research from a wide variety of sources will help you to hone skills that you can use for project and time management. Working with a group of students to achieve a goal will strengthen your teamwork skills.
'The Central Science'
Chemistry is called the central science because all scientists study chemicals at some level.
Geologists examine the way chemicals come together to form rocks. Biochemists and pharmacologists study chemicals that cause and cure diseases. Astronomers study the chemical compositions of stars, planets and galaxies. Geneticists study the chemicals of biological inheritance.
A background in chemistry is useful in a career in all these disciplines and many more, including non-science careers as mentioned previously.
Why is Chemistry so good at preparing people for the workplace? Because it encourages students to develop new skills; to push themselves to improve their understanding; it develops collaborative workers with excellent time management and workload management skills.
Scientific employers value all these skills.
Non-scientific employers value all these skills too!
