What can you do with a chemistry degree?

Your study of chemistry will provide you with knowledge and skills that are valuable to employers:

Your skills and knowledge open up a whole range of different careers whether you want to be an analytical chemist or accountant. This versatile degree will equip you with a range of useful skills that are highly regarded by employers in job sectors as diverse as finance, IT and marketing. Furthermore, 70% of graduate vacancies do not require a specific degree, so if you decided you wanted to work in an apparently unrelated field, opportunities are abundant.

Approximately a third of chemistry graduates work in a laboratory and it is worth bearing in mind that your skills and knowledge can be used in a range of settings not only away from the laboratory environment but in entirely different job sectors altogether.

With such a wide range of careers open to you as a chemistry graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

The following websites provide helpful information for career research:

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth chemistry graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience. 

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2018/19 – 2020/21. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work. 

Some of the careers chosen by chemistry graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options related to chemistry:

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme:

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options.

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources.

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops.

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration, you could research the many organisations offering summer internships, notably GSK, AstraZeneca and Pfizer. Many students also find their own paid or voluntary placements by making speculative applications to companies that interest them. In the past Plymouth chemistry students have been successful in securing paid summer research placements abroad through the IAESTE scheme 

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so definitely approach them for advice and insights into the careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.

Playing sport or being part of a society shows employers you are engaged and can seek out opportunities. It also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to chemistry such as ChemSoc or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.