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

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

What is this job like?

A global positioning system that can pinpoint a car's location. Giant generators that can power entire cities. A new design for an airplane's electrical system. Electrical and electronics engineers work on high-tech projects like these.

Electrical engineers design new and better electronics. They also test equipment and solve problems. A project starts by deciding what the new electronics will do. Then, the engineer designs the circuits and other parts of the electronics. Engineers might draw their designs using a computer.

Later, the engineers test their designs and make them better. Many projects don't work at first. The engineers have to figure out why and then fix them.

Electrical engineers work on many kinds of products. They might work on cars, robots, cell phone systems, the lighting and wiring in buildings, and radar and navigation systems, for example.

Engineers work in offices, labs, or industrial plants. Many work a normal 40-hour week. At times, they work longer to meet deadlines.

How do you get ready?

You need a college degree in engineering for almost all engineering jobs.

Getting into engineering school takes good grades in math and science. Students also need courses in English, social studies, and computers.

Engineers should be creative, curious, logical, and detail-oriented. They should also be able to work as part of a team.

How much does this job pay?

The middle half of electrical engineers earned between $60,640 and $94,050 in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $49,120. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $115,240.

The middle half of electronics engineers earned between $64,440 and $99,630. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $52,050. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $119,900.

How many jobs are there?

There were about 291,000 electrical and electronics engineers in 2006. Many worked for companies that make medical machines, communications equipment, or electronics.

What about the future?

Electrical engineers should have good job prospects. Jobs for electrical engineers are expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2016. There will be a need for more electronic devices like giant electric power generators and wireless phone transmitters.

Are there other jobs like this?

• Aerospace engineers
• Civil engineers
• Computer hardware engineers
• Industrial engineers
• Mechanical engineers

Where can you find more information? More BLS information about electrical and electronics engineers can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

COMPUTER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

WHAT IS THIS JOB LIKE?

When people have computer trouble, they ask these workers for help. Computer support specialists help people use computers. When something goes wrong, support specialists figure out why. Then, they try to fix it.

Many support specialists answer questions over the phone or by e-mail. Others also help people face-to-face. To answer a problem over the phone, the specialist takes the person through the necessary steps to fix the problem using their own computer. Computer support specialists also install printers, software, and other computer tools. Then, they teach people how to use them. Sometimes, they write instruction books. Some specialists check computer systems every day to make sure they are working well. To be good at these jobs, workers need to be good listeners and good at solving problems. Computer specialists may work for the company that makes the computer software or for the place that uses certain computer software, such as a school. They may assist other employees at the company or the customers of that company. They also may be asked by the maker of the software for feedback on good or bad things about the product, since they work with it daily. Most computer specialists work in offices or computer labs. They spend a long time sitting in front of computers. This can strain their back, wrists, and eyes. Computer specialists normally work a 40-hour work week, but that can include being "on call" by phone when they are not on their shift. Some specialists work at night or on weekends.

HOW DO YOU GET READY?

There are many ways to become a computer support specialist. Having a degree might make it easier to get jobs. Some people earn an associate degree. Some employers prefer to hire people who earn a bachelor's degree.

Passing a certification test is another way to prepare for jobs. Computer companies and associations offer these tests. Experience working with computers is also important. Workers need to learn new computer skills throughout their careers. If you are interested in this job, you can start getting ready now by learning about computers in school, in the library, or on your own. Studying math is also important because it helps people learn to solve problems. Learning to read and speak well is useful, too.

HOW MUCH DOES THIS JOB PAY?

In 2006, the middle half of these workers earned between $32,110 and $53,640. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $25,290. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $68,540.

HOW MANY JOBS ARE THERE?

In 2006, there were about 552,000 computer support specialists. They worked in businesses, schools, government, and many other places.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?

More of these workers will be needed because the number of computers and their level of complexity are rising. Workers will also be needed to teach people how to use new tools and programs. In fact, support specialist jobs are expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations between 2006 and 2016.

Computer support specialists who have a strong background in computers and are up to date with the latest skills will have the best chance of getting a job.

ARE THERE OTHER JOBS LIKE THIS?

• Computer programmers
• Computer scientists
• Computer software engineers
• Database administrators
• Systems analysts

WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION? More BLS information about computer support specialists and systems administrators can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

IT'S YOUR TURN: WHAT TO ASK AN INTERVIEWER

The interviewer asks you, "Do you have any questions for me?"

You say ... "Yes!"

This is the easiest interview question out there. Always say yes.

Asking questions shows that you're interested in the job. It also gives you a chance to show how knowledgeable you are about the position and the industry. Most important, it lets you highlight why you're the perfect candidate. You have to choose your questions carefully, though, depending on who's doing the interviewing. An excellent question for a recruiter might be inappropriate for an executive. And you don't want to ask your potential boss something that's best suited for a future coworker.

Also, there are certain questions you should never ask early in the interview process -- no matter whom you're meeting. Don't ask about salary, vacation, 401(k) or anything else that might make you seem more interested in the compensation than the company.

This article shares questions appropriate for every type of interviewer.

The Recruiter: The 'Big Picture' Person

It's the recruiter's job to identify strong candidates and guide them through the hiring process. Think of the recruiter as the "big picture" person. They can give you an overview of the company and the department as a whole. (Save very specific questions about the job for the hiring manager.) The recruiter is also the best person to answer questions about the hiring process.

Some questions to ask the recruiter:

• How would you describe the company culture?
• What type of employees tend to excel at this company?
• Can you tell me more about the interview process?

The Hiring Manager: Your Future Boss

The hiring manager will likely supervise you if you get the job.

They're the most knowledgeable people about the position and its requirements. You should direct specific questions about the job, its responsibilities and its challenges to them. You may also want to ask what kind of candidate they're seeking.

Some questions to ask the hiring manager:

• What are the most important skills for the job?
• How would you describe your ideal candidate?
• What's a common career path at the company for someone in this role?

The Executive: The Industry Expert

Senior managers and executives are likely to be most knowledgeable about the latest happenings in their industry. If you'll be working closely with an executive, you can ask them some specifics about the job. But you should focus most of your questions on the future of the company and the industry. This is your chance to show off your industry knowledge!

Some questions to ask a senior manager or executive:

• How do you think this industry will change in the next five years?
• What do you think gives this company an edge over its competitors?
• What's the company's biggest challenge? How is it planning to meet that challenge?

The Coworker: The Straight-Talker

Some interviews will also include a meeting with a potential coworker -- the interviewer most likely to "tell it how it is." A potential colleague may be most candid about the job, its challenges and the work environment. However, don't expect inside information --and certainly don't ask for it.

Some questions to ask a potential coworker:

• What's a typical day like in the department?
• How would you describe the work environment at the company?
• What's the most enjoyable part of your job? What's the most challenging part?

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FOUR QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL MANAGER

Happiness on the job sometimes comes down to one person: Your manager.

Your manager can matter more than money, title or benefits. People don't always quit jobs, they sometimes quit bosses. Many workers leave a position because they're unhappy with their bosses.

On the other hand, if you genuinely like and respect your boss, your job can be rewarding, fulfilling and even fun. But how can you ensure that you and your potential boss will get along?

While there are no guarantees, you can often recognize a boss who's right for you -- if you ask the right questions.

The Ideal Employee Do you want to know what your potential manager will expect from you? Ask her, "What's your ideal employee like?" If her ideal employee works long hours on a regular basis, expect to do the same. If her ideal employee is someone who never questions procedure, don't plan to arrive and immediately implement new ideas.

If her ideal employee works independently, rest assured that you won't be micro-managed.

You're likely to be happier on the job if you and your potential manager have similar working styles. After all, everyone deserves a manager who thinks that they're the ideal employee.

The Skinny on the Staff

You can tell a lot about your potential manager from his staff.

Ask him, "Can you tell me about the people I'd be working with? How long have you worked with them?"

Pay attention to how well your potential boss seems to know his staff. Can he list their individual accomplishments? Is he proud of them?

Note his tone and energy when he talks about his team. Does he sound upbeat and positive? Or is there a hint of frustration or disappointment in his voice?

Also note how long his staff has worked with him. High turnover can be a red flag, and happy employees are more likely to stay put.

Results and Rewards

Do you want to excel on the job? If so, then you need to know how a potential manager defines excellence.

Ask her, "How do you measure success on the job?"

You may be accountable to complete projects to deadline and under budget. Or perhaps you'll need to reach a certain benchmark in your performance, for example a dollar value in revenue or a percentage of satisfied customers.

You should also ask about the typical career path for an employee who successfully meets his goals. After all, you want to work for a manager who recognizes and rewards excellence.

A Problem Solved

Sooner or later, a problem will arise. And you need to know how a potential manager will handle it.

Ask him, "What's your approach to solving problems?"

Knowing how a potential manager solves problems can give you insight into his management style.

Does he prefer to take charge and make a decision independently?

Does he delegate the decision to a staff member? Or does he favor a more collaborative style of problem solving?

Finally, keep in mind that a potential boss' overall attitude toward answering questions can be very telling about his management style. If he's open to questions and answers thoughtfully, he's likely also open to exploring and improving his working relationships. And that's one quality that makes for a great manager.

By Caroline Levchuck