CHEMIST

What is this job like?

Chemicals are a big part of the physical world around us. Everything is made of chemicals. Chemists and materials scientists find ways to make chemicals useful to us. They also try to improve things that people use daily, such as paint, medicine, and cosmetics, as well as cars and airplanes. Chemists also search for new chemicals in nature. They search for ways to save energy and reduce pollution. Their research on living things helps doctors, farmers, and food preparers do their jobs better.

Part of a chemist's job is to search for new facts about chemicals. Some chemists watch what happens when they mix two or more chemicals together. They explain what they might see, smell, or feel. Chemists use computers to conduct experiments and analyze the results. They write down the results and report them to others. From their research, they can create new products. Chemists can also improve products we already have and show us new ways to use them. Chemists specialize in one of the many different types of chemistry.

Some chemists and materials scientists work in factories. They tell plant workers which ingredients to use to make a chemical. They also tell the workers how long to mix chemicals and how hot or cold the mixture should be. They watch the whole process to make sure that they get the right product at the end. They test samples to make sure they meet industry and government rules.

Chemists and materials scientists usually work regular hours in offices and laboratories. Labs have all sorts of equipment to do experiments. Research chemists spend most of their time in labs. Sometimes they work in offices when they have to write reports on their lab work. Some of the large labs have factories or places where workers make examples of the real products. For example, materials scientists may work closely with engineers and other workers in manufacturing facilities. Chemists may also do some of their research in a factory or outdoors. For example, when they go outside, they can get samples of the air to test for pollution. Some chemists work around dangerous chemicals. They have to wear protective clothing and follow rules to keep them safe on their jobs.

How do you get ready?

To become a chemist, a person needs to have a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related subject. Materials scientists need a college degree in materials science, or chemistry, physics, or electrical engineering. However, chemists and materials scientists usually need a Ph.D. for research jobs.

Students who want to become chemists or materials scientists tend to enjoy science and math in school. They also like to build things with their hands and experiment with different objects. Students must be willing to work hard and independently, ask a lot of questions, and focus on details. They must be willing to work by themselves. Students should learn how to work on the computer.

Some employers need chemists and materials scientists who know about other subjects in the business field. They also need people who can be leaders. Reading, writing, and speaking skills are also important.

How much does this job pay?

Earnings of chemists depend in part on the amount of schooling a person has. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary offers in July 2007 for graduates with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry averaged $41,506 a year. In 2006, the middle half of all chemists earned between $44,780 and $82,610 a year. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $35,480 a year. The highest-paid 10 percent earned over $106,310 a year.

How many jobs are there?

Chemists and materials scientists held about 93,000 jobs in 2006. About 4 out of 10 jobs were in manufacturing firms. A lot of the firms were in the chemical manufacturing industry. This industry produces plastics and synthetic materials, drugs, soaps and cleaners, paints, industrial organic chemicals, and other chemical products. Others work for scientific research and development firms. Some find jobs in Federal, State, and local governments. In addition, thousands of chemists teach in high schools and colleges and universities.

Chemists and materials scientists are employed in all parts of the United States. Most of them work in cities that have a lot of different industries.

What about the future?

Employment of chemists and materials scientists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. There will be job openings in industries that sell things that a lot of people need or want to buy, like medicine. In other industries, it will be harder for a chemist to get a job, especially when the economy is not doing well.

Employers are especially looking for chemists and materials scientists who have a master's or Ph.D. degree. Those with only a bachelor's degree might find a job as a research assistant.

Are there other jobs like this?

• Agricultural and food scientists
• Astronomers
• Biological scientists
• Chemical engineers
• Medical scientists
• Physicists
• Science technicians (chemical technicians)

Source BLS

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

What is this job like? Environmental scientists find and fix pollution and other environmental problems. They figure out what is in the air, water, and soil to make sure that the environment is safe. They also give advice on how to clean the environment. For example, they might design a safe way to get rid of trash. Some of these workers mix environmental science with other sciences, such as chemistry or biology. Environmental chemists find out if different chemicals hurt the environment. Environmental biologists focus on protecting animals and plants. Some environmental scientists help to make laws about protecting the environment. They also help companies follow the laws. Environmental scientists work in laboratories and offices. They also work outside, taking measurements. They use math and computers. Environmental scientists sometimes work long hours. Some travel to far away places in trucks and helicopters. They might dig dirt, chip rocks, or do other physical things. Scientists who look for oil often work in foreign countries. In addition to doing science, many of these workers write reports and help find money for their projects. How do you get ready?

All of these workers need a college degree. Most need an advanced degree—either a master's, which takes 1 or 2 more years after finishing college, or a doctoral degree, which takes longer.

In college, these workers study geography, environmental science, chemistry, biology, earth science, and physics. They also study math and statistics so that they can understand measurements and data. People who want to make laws about protecting the environment also take law classes.

In addition to taking classes, scientists have to learn how to work with other people. They also need to practice speaking and writing so that they will be able to explain their research.

Workers also need computer skills. And they need to know about the latest tools and technology for studying the earth.

Students can start getting ready by taking science, math, and computer classes. They can also read books about rocks, the earth, and the environment.

How much does this job pay?

The middle half of all environmental scientists earned between $42,840 and $74,480 in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $34,590. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $94,670.

How many jobs are there?

Environmental scientists held about 83,000 jobs in 2006. Many worked for governments. Others worked for science and engineering companies, oil and gas companies, and other places. Some had their own businesses.

What about the future?

The number of jobs for environmental scientists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. That's because people want the environment to be cleaner, and more businesses and governments will hire these scientists to help do that.

Are there other jobs like this?

• Astronomers
• Atmospheric scientists
• Chemists
• Engineering technicians
• Mathematicians
• Petroleum engineers
• Physicists
• Science technicians

Source BLS

CIVIL ENGINEER

What is this job like?

Civil engineers design things. These might be roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, or water supply and sewage systems. They must consider many factors in their designs, from the costs to making sure the structure will stay intact during bad weather. This is one of the oldest types of engineering.

Many civil engineers manage people and projects. A civil engineer may oversee a construction site or be a city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching. There are many specialties within civil engineering, such as structural, construction, environment, and transportation.

Civil engineers usually work in areas that are industry and business centers. Often they work at construction sites. Sometimes they work in places that are far away from cities. Most engineers work a 40-hour week. Some are required to travel.

How do you get ready?

A bachelor's degree in engineering is needed for almost all entry-level engineering jobs. College grads with a degree in a science or mathematics may get some jobs. A civil engineer must get a license from the State to offer services directly to the public. A license requires 4 years of relevant work experience and passing an exam. Beginning engineers often work under an experienced engineer to get their required work experience. To teach engineering, a graduate degree, like a Ph.D., is needed.

Getting into engineering school requires a strong report card in math and science, and courses in English, social studies, and computers. Also, some schools prepare an engineer to get a job after graduation while others prepare an engineer for graduate school. It is a good idea to learn about the school before you attend.

In a typical college, the first 2 years are for studying math, science, engineering basics, the arts, and social sciences. In the last 2 years, most courses are in engineering, mostly in a single branch. Civil engineering is one of the more common branches of engineering.

Engineers should be creative, curious, analytical, and detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of a team. People skills are important. This is because engineers often work with people in a wide range of fields.

How much does this job pay?

The middle half of all civil engineers earned between $54,520 and $86,260 per year in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $44,810. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $104,420.

According to a 2007 salary survey, people with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering started at $48,509 a year on average. People with a master's degree started at $48,280 a year. People with a Ph.D. started at $62,275 a year.

How many jobs are there?

Civil engineers held about 256,000 jobs in 2006. Almost half worked for firms that did architectural, engineering, and related services work. Mostly they came up with designs for new construction projects. Almost one-third were in some level of government. The rest mostly worked in the construction industry.

What about the future?

It is expected that civil engineer jobs will increase faster than average through 2016. More civil engineers will be needed to design and build things as the population grows. For example, they will need to fix and replace buildings and roads as they continue to become old, unsafe, and worn out.

Some job openings will occur to replace those who go to other jobs or leave the labor force. Job openings will also depend on where you live. There may not be as many jobs when the economy is doing poorly. This is because there is often less construction at such times.

Are there other jobs like this?

• Agricultural and food scientists
• Architects
• Biological scientists
• Chemists
• Computer and information systems managers
• Engineering and natural sciences managers
• Environmental scientists
• Geoscientists
• Sales engineers
• Science technicians