Alternative Careers in Chemistry - Beating the Jobless Recovery

Chemists Without Laboratory Boarders - Alternative Careers in Chemistry

updates on our 

Business Development & Management Division Symposium, 2010

As of March, 2014, the employment data for ACS chemists had turned a corner and was down to 3.5% unemployment among members, but it's far from the heydays of pre-recession unemployment when we enjoyed an economy that kept us employed above 98% (see http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/salaries/surveys.html).  A changing global environment for business, stronger growth in non-US academic institutions, and an interesting "jobless recovery" finds chemical professionals in some uncharted employment territory.

BMGT Division Symposium Poster, 2011

So, what's a chemist to do?  A while back (2010), twelve of us met at a National ACS meeting to serve as part of a day-long BMGT Division panel discussion on "Chemistry - the Future-Proof Profession."  How do we stimulate job growth in the heart of the recession and in the face of sequestration?  What can ACS do to improve the situation?  To quote Pat Connelly, Sr. Dir. Vertex Pharmaceuticals: "The strongest societies will be those that support their businesses, and the strongest businesses will be those that support their societies."

It was clear then, and remains so today, we need to do a better job supporting businesses here in the US if we expect them to support us (re. jobs).  We also need to prepare future chemists (and those seeking to renew their skills) to be able to work in a global environment, engaging with diverse people and cultures.

Since 2010, ACS has made significant investments in people and IT resources to develop the Career Navigator: http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers.html  It's almost a one-stop-shop for those seeking career help and those who are seeking chemists.

You will also find links to two new initiatives:  ACS International Center (http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/global/international-center.html) and the Entrepreneurial Resource Center (http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/career-services/resourcecenter.html)  

I was the lead on the Presidential Task Force on the International Center concept, working with ACS President Joe Francisco and then ACS President Marinda Wu, her task force, and the Office (and Committee) of International Activities to help create the first phase of a multi-phased resource center to help prepare chemists to be more competitive and marketable in the global chemical enterprise.

But being a global chemical citizen or being an entrepreneur are only part of the story about alternative careers in chemistry.   My contribution to the panel included a discussion about Cynthia Robbins-Roth's 2006 book "Alternative Careers in Science - Leaving the Ivory Tower" and I highlighted five or six career options:  

Advocating for Chemistry
with Colorado Sen. Udall

• Science writing
• Policy making
• Patent attorney
• Consultant
• Business
• Movies/TV
• Research administration

The key to success for all of these options resides with your communication skills (that's another blog).  Getting outside the lab and talking to the general public about chemistry (or generally, science) helps develop those skills, through civic groups like Rotary International, Scouting, 4-H, or town-hall meetings.  ACS has tools that can help you become successful at this as well (see http://acswebinars.org).  Quoting John Edward Porter (former member of Congress) in his June 13, 2014, Science (344) 1207, Editorial: "Scientists must take off their lab coats and engage the people of their communities and states."  It's a time to speak up for research and chemistry as his article states.