Chemistry advice for an undergrad?

Question

I am currently an undergraduate majoring in chemistry. Do you have any advice about becoming one?

Exp- What it is like, meeting the professionals, recommended experience, should I attend ACS meetings, ect.

P.S.- Environmental advice=great too,.. Environmental science is my minor.
Thanks! All of you have given great suggestions so far! Please E-mail me if there is other info you feel a novice should know at becoming a chemist/enviro-scientist!

I LOVE chemistry& enviro sciences!

Answer 1

Go to graduate school. Most companies severely limit your advancement without a graduate degree (many require a PhD for higher advancement). Quite often a BS Chemist is used as a lab technician (which is an okay occupation, I prefer research)

Universities pay their grad students. Private universities pay the grad students tuition as well. Many undergrads do not know this. You don't get paid much to go to grad school, but you do get enough to cover necessary expenses. It is much easier to attend grad school right after getting the undergraduate degree (you don't have all those terrible expensive habits).

ACS meetings will introduce you to a wide variety of research. It's a good thing to see and take advantage of. Find chemical companies in your area and try to arrange a visit -- monster.com is a great place to find such companies (your university placement center should also have a listing).

Answer 2

My advice about becoming a Chemist is simple: if you *like* chemistry and feel that it is your calling - and you can make a contribution to society by studying and practicing it - then you should become a Chemist. Otherwise, it is not for you.

I've been a Chemist for 10 years now. I loved it then, and I still love it now. You feel a certain wisdom knowing chemistry...others just see things working, whereas Chemists truly understand it at its molecular level.

The professionals can be your regular Joe down the street. Or they can be eccentric, like many of your college professors probably are.

ACS meetings are useful from a networking point-of-view, but you can gain far more knowledge by reading journals and trade publications (C&EN is an excellent weekly publication that covers all aspects of chemistry).

Let me know if that helps :-)

Answer 3

Actually what I find surprising is the number of people like myself who have a chemistry degree, but end up doing things outside the labs. I work in business development for my company and I have an post graduate chemistry degree.

When dealing with new clients it enables me to assimilate their knowledge and process so I can make an attractive offer to them for the prods/services of my company (yes I still read the journals, attend meetings and do the tech stuff, just not in the lab).

There are a lot of options open with a chem degree in and out of research. Network and explore.

Answer 4

See the bottom link below for more information...the following is an excerpt ...

Student Opportunities
Numerous opportunities are available within the Environmental Protection Agency for students to gain vital career experience while contributing to the mission of protecting human health and safeguarding the environment. Internships, fellowships and other opportunities are available in Washington, DC, laboratories, and at regional EPA locations nationwide.

Answer 5

join the student affiliate ACS. through them you'll get into chemistry. if you have the chance do research. you'll find out what you do and don't want to do. make sure you have good grades and are active at college so you can get into the grad school of your choice

Answer 6

make sure to go to the ACS meetings cause they are very helpful especially for the exam (if you need to take it) and you'll have a better idea if this is what you really want to do....GOODLUCK

Answer 7

combine your chemistry major with educational cousework so that you can receive a teaching certificate. It may come in handy later, and chemistry is much fun to teach.