Skills you’ll develop
While studying Chemistry, you’re learning how to work with chemical compounds that can be used across industries like energy, water, medicine and materials development. You’ll develop important skills while creating and validating processes to test or formulate compounds.
These skills may include:
- Analytical method development or validation
- Focused observation
- Laboratory report writing and presentation of data to scientific and non-scientific audiences
- Advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis
- Application of logical, systematic thought processes to understand cause and effect
- Identification of chemical hazards and facilitation of proper chemical waste disposal
- Techniques in isolation, purification, analysis, synthesis, and usage of specialized laboratory instruments
Career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including research (industrial or academic), technology, health care and pharmaceuticals, law enforcement, materials, manufacturing, consulting, education, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Brewery laboratory analyst
- Chemical process operator
- Chemical product developer
- Chemical technologist
- Chemist
- Coatings chemist
- Clinical research associate
- Consumer protection specialist
- Dangerous substance inspector
- Electrochemist
- Environmental chemist
- Food and drug inspector
- Food chemist
- Forensic laboratory technician
- Fuel cell and battery chemist
- Geochemist
- Hazardous waste management
- Health and safety inspector
- Laboratory technician
- Medical doctor
- Medical laboratory technician
- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopist
- Oceanographic chemist
- Patent agent
- Perfumer
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacological chemist
- Pharmacologist
- Pollution control technologist
- Quality control technician
- Scientific writer
- Soil chemist
- Teacher/Professor
- Technical sales representative
- Technical writer
- Toxicologist
- Wastewater treatment chemist
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.
- Undergraduate Chemistry Society
Meet other UBC Chemistry students and interact with faculty, through events and programs. - UBC Science Co-op
Gain work experience in chemistry between study terms. - UBC Chemistry research and awards
Get involved in summer opportunities or take classes that incorporate laboratory experience in chemistry. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - Collaborative Research and Training Experience program
Receive training in project management and patent development while getting involved in catalysis research. - Mentorship Program for Chemistry Students
Chat with an upper-level UBC Chemistry student to learn about helpful resources and opportunities. - Reactive Intermediates Student Exchange
During summer, gain hands-on experience in experimental techniques for the study of chemical or biochemical reaction mechanisms. - Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition
Attend national or regional conferences in the summer and connect with chemists across industries and academia.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
- Canadian Fuels Association
- Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
- Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology
- Canadian Paint and Coatings Association
- Canadian Plastics Industry Association
- Canadian Society for Unconventional Resources
- Canadian Textile Industry Association
- Canadian Water and Wastewater Association
- Chemical Institute of Canada
- Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
- Clean Energy BC
- Color Pigments Manufacturers Association
- Consumer Health Products Canada
- Cosmetics Alliance Canada
- Innovative Medicines Canada
- Life Sciences BC
- Medtech Canada
- Personal Care Products Council
- Tire and Rubber Association of Canada
- Vinyl Institute of Canada
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Chemistry graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Science degree.