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Careers

Related Skills

Analytical

  • Research
  • Development
  • Analysis and Testing
  • Consulting
  • Environmental
  • Forensics

Employers

  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Federal agencies including National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Manufacturing firms including textile, petroleum, food, electronics, glass,paper, packaging, machinery, cosmetics, paint, drug, and chemical industries
  • Industrial production and inspection agencies
  • Research laboratories and organizations
  • Environmental protection organizations
  • Colleges and universities

Strategies

  • Familiarize yourself with federal, state, and local government job application processes.
  • Gain experience in a laboratory setting.
  • Develop proficiency with high-tech scientific equipment.
  • Take electives in your area of interest.

Biochemical

  • Research
  • Development
  • Analysis and Testing
  • Consulting
  • Quality Control
  • Medical
  • Environmental
  • Industrial Health & Safety
  • Hospital Administration

Employers

  • Research laboratories and organizations
  • Pharmaceutical and medical research firms
  • Biotechnology firms
  • Plant and animal breeders and growers
  • Food processors
  • Industrial production and inspection agencies
  • Environmental protection organizations
  • Federal, state and local government, such as the Centers for Disease Control
  • Colleges and universities

Strategies

  • Take additional courses in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, cytology, and physiology.
  • Develop excellent laboratory and computer skills.
  • Get involved with undergraduate research with professors.
  • Join related professional organizations.
  • Complete a related internship with an organization in the area of your interest.

Name

  • Research
  • Development
  • Analysis and Testing
  • Quality Control
  • Consulting

Employers

  • Industries related to petroleum, coal, wood products, plastics, textiles, and food
  • Manufacturing firms developing new synthetic materials and new production processes
  • Research organizations
  • Federal and state government
  • Colleges and universities

Strategies

  • Gain additional laboratory and research experience through internships and summer jobs.
  • Get involved with undergraduate research with professors.

Geochemistry

  • Environmental Remediation
  • Research & Development
  • Analysis & Testing

Employers

  • Research laboratories and organizations
  • Industries involved in mining, electronics, and synthetic materials
  • Federal and state government
  • Colleges and universities

Strategies

Take geology and environmental science electives.

Inorganic

  • Research
  • Analysis and Testing
  • Quality Control
  • Consulting

Employers

  • Environmental organizations\
  • Water processing plants
  • Natural resources organizations

Strategies

  • Choose appropriate coursework to specialize in an area.
  • Develop additional laboratory skills and experience.

Polymer Chemistry

  • Analysis & Testing
  • Research & Development

Employers

Industries involving textiles and plastics

Strategies

Gain research experience through internships, part-time employment, and summer jobs.

Physical

  • Research
  • Development
  • Analysis and Testing
  • Quality Control
  • Consulting

Employers

  • Research laboratories and organizations
  • Industries involving electrical, nuclear, gas, heat, or light energy
  • Federal government
  • Colleges and universities

Strategies

Take related courses in social sciences and economics. Develop strong mathematical background.

Education

  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Administration

Employers

  • Private and public secondary schools
  • Colleges and universities

Strategies

Obtain certification/licensing for teaching in public schools. Acquire a master'sdegree for community college teaching and a Ph.D. for colleges and universities.
Take courses in public speaking.

Business

  • Technical Sales/Marketing
  • Pharmaceutical Sales
  • Management
  • Consulting
  • Industrial Quality Control
  • Research & Development

Employers

  • Manufacturing firms
  • Drug stores
  • Medical/Pharmaceutical supply companies
  • Industries including textiles, petroleum, food, electronics, glass, paper, packaging, machinery, cosmetics, paint, drugs, and chemicals.
  • Agricultural product companies
  • Environmental management organizations
  • Waste management firms

Strategies

  • Obtain a minor in business.
  • Develop strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
  • Hold leadership positions in campus organizations.
  • Join related student organizations, e.g., American Marketing Association, Financial Management Association, Public Relations Student Society of America, etc.

Other Professions

  • Agricultural Scientist
  • Anesthesiologist
  • Application Chemist
  • Biochemist/Molecular Biologist
  • Ceramic Engineer
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemist
  • Clinical Specialist
  • Computational Chemist
  • Color Development Chemist
  • Crime Lab Analyst
  • Dentist
  • Entomologist
  • Environmental Engineer
  • EPA Inspector
  • FDA Inspector
  • Fire Protection Engineer
  • Food Scientist/Technologist
  • Forensic Chemist
  • Geochemist
  • Geologist
  • Glass Chemist
  • Hydro Geologist
  • Hydrologist
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Metallurgical Engineer
  • Microbiologist
  • Oceanographer
  • Optometrist
  • Patent Agent
  • Perfumer
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Physician
  • Plastic Engineer
  • Product Development Manager
  • Product Tester
  • Quality Controller
  • Radiologist
  • Research Analytical Chemist
  • Research Associate
  • Science Laboratory Technician'
  • Soil Scientist, Agriculture
  • Technical Journalist
  • Textile Engineer
  • Toxicologist
  • Veterinarian
  • Water Purification Chemist
  • Water/Wastewater Plant Operator

Being Successful in the Field

  • Undergraduate degree sufficient for entry-level positions such as lab coordinator,research assistant, product testing or analysis, technical sales, or service representative.
  • Maintain high grade point average and secure strong recommendations for graduate school.
  • Master's degree sufficient for most applied research positions, industrial work, and some community college teaching.
  • Find research opportunities with professors and other experts in the field to gain experience.
  • Ph.D. degree required for university teaching and advanced positions in management and research and development. Post doctoral experience is preferred for research positions in industry, universities, and government.
  • Advanced degrees help speed career advancement.
  • Develop strong computer, mathematics, and science skills/knowledge.
  • Obtain part-time, volunteer, co-op, internship, or summer experience.
  • Obtain practical experience using various laboratory equipment and high-tech scientific equipment and data.
  • Complete an undergraduate research project.
  • Consider electives in computer science, engineering, business, public speaking, and writing.
  • Join related student professional organizations.

Career Industry Liaison

Name Office Email Phone
Olanna Pullen  223 Bone Student Center  olpulle@ilstu.edu  (309) 438-2200 

Internship Coordinator

Name Office Email Phone Note
Elisha Swanson  Julian Hall 223  enswans@ilstu.edu  (309) 438-7232  Professional Practice 
Shawn Hitchcock  317 Science Laboratory Building  srhitch@ilstu.edu  (309) 438-7854  Research