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Career prospects with a chem degree

hi, I recently got an offer from kings to study pure chemistry at ABC and I do maths chemistry and economics. However, im unsure if a chemistry degree is the best career path for me because of the versatility in employment and graduate prospects. I think id prefer a degree which is safe in terms of employability, salary, job security, career progression. But also I think a degree at kings would look good for employment possibly. can anyone whose currently studying chemistry tell me about the transition from a chemistry degree to sectors not related to research? and how possible is it to work in finance or tech? and if this career path is good in salary. thank you very much I would just like to make an informed decision.

Reply 1

Original post
by skariyy
hi, I recently got an offer from kings to study pure chemistry at ABC and I do maths chemistry and economics. However, im unsure if a chemistry degree is the best career path for me because of the versatility in employment and graduate prospects. I think id prefer a degree which is safe in terms of employability, salary, job security, career progression. But also I think a degree at kings would look good for employment possibly. can anyone whose currently studying chemistry tell me about the transition from a chemistry degree to sectors not related to research? and how possible is it to work in finance or tech? and if this career path is good in salary. thank you very much I would just like to make an informed decision.

Hey! I am a Chemistry graduate from Leeds, graduated nearly 2 years ago now. I am actually training as an accountant in a graduate scheme post degree and I know so many people in my course who have gone into tech, sustainability, finance, marketing, data analysis, teaching etc. I feel like my degree has given me a wide range of skills that can contribute to a wide range of sectors and that's basically why people have gone into different sectors. I do feel like it is a good degree to keep your employment and graduate prospects open if you are not sure what to do after graduation, and mostly everyone doing the bachelors didn't want to pursue chemistry as a career, but those who did a (integrated) masters most of them have ended up in scientific roles/PhD's. Chemistry does have a high workload (it was hard!) and 20+ contact hours a week compared to majority of degrees and does have that wow factor from potential employers. In interviews, I mostly had to prove why the career change and what I got out of my degree that can contribute to the role. Job security and pay I can't really comment on, the job market isn't great as a whole and pay is dependent on what you end up in.
(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 2

Original post
by lizzzz15364
Hey! I am a Chemistry graduate from Leeds, graduated nearly 2 years ago now. I am actually training as an accountant in a graduate scheme post degree and I know so many people in my course who have gone into tech, sustainability, finance, marketing, data analysis, teaching etc. I feel like my degree has given me a wide range of skills that can contribute to a wide range of sectors and that's basically why people have gone into different sectors. I do feel like it is a good degree to keep your employment and graduate prospects open if you are not sure what to do after graduation, and mostly everyone doing the bachelors didn't want to pursue chemistry as a career, but those who did a (integrated) masters most of them have ended up in scientific roles/PhD's. Chemistry does have a high workload (it was hard!) and 20+ contact hours a week compared to majority of degrees and does have that wow factor from potential employers. In interviews, I mostly had to prove why the career change and what I got out of my degree that can contribute to the role. Job security and pay I can't really comment on, the job market isn't great as a whole and pay is dependent on what you end up in.

Thank you so much this is so helpful! x

Reply 3

Hi sorry if Im bothering you but that’s also what I want to apply for! What did you get in your gcse if you don’t mind me asking?

Reply 4

Original post
by aysha.9z
Hi sorry if Im bothering you but that’s also what I want to apply for! What did you get in your gcse if you don’t mind me asking?

for gcse i got a grade 7 triple science in chemistry biology physics, 8 in maths, 6 in english lang, 7 in english lit, 7 in fm , 8 in RE GCSE grades don’t usually matter so long as you get a minimum of grade 6 in maths and language depending on the uni you apply to x

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