Chemistry
Chemistry is a core science that underpins and complements other sciences and areas of technology and has many career applications.
Most industries make use of chemicals and the products of the chemical industry, including the building block compounds we need for drugs, food or materials. Students develop transferable skills such as a methodological approach, observation and communication skills when they design, monitor and analyse data from experiments and projects that are applicable beyond the science and technology sectors.
Roles and career pathways
Graduates may work in a laboratory in hospital or clinical settings or in roles such as lab technician or assistant. Some may work in research, manufacturing or environmental sectors or in roles relating to patents, ICT, data analysis, and health and safety. To move into research roles a postgraduate qualification, such as a MSc or PhD is required. To work as a chemist a PhD and relevant experience is preferred.
There are also roles for graduates outside the laboratory, for example as an administrator, coordinator, analyst or adviser in Government organisations, or in consultancies with a scientific focus. They may work on projects or policy specific to health, technology, scientific innovation or other areas where their mix of skills is relevant.
Adding another major or degree such as Marketing, International Business, Law or Communication can help you specialise your studies and broaden your employment options by improving your commercial awareness.
Completing a postgraduate qualification in secondary teaching could lead to roles teaching Chemistry and possibly other science subjects. See Teaching and check with the Faculty of Education on entry requirements.
Where Chemistry graduates work
Chemistry graduates are employed in a wide range of organisations in and beyond the science and technology sectors including research and educational institutes and private companies. Recent graduates have worked in organisations such as:
Build relevant skills and experience
Part-time work and volunteering during study all help to increase your job prospects when you graduate. Gaining work experience as a lab demonstrator, tutor or research assistant during your studies is also a valuable way to gain relevant experience to increase your employability. Callaghan Innovation offers summer scholarships which help you learn more about careers in this area and develop practical workplace experience. Programmes such as Wellington Plus, and Wellington International Leadership Programme (WILP) offer opportunities to gain diverse volunteer and leadership experience.
Make career connections
Making connections with individuals and groups during your degree can help you learn more about career opportunities.
Te Kāuru—Ferrier Research Institute is a team of carbohydrate chemistry experts and analysts working to bring about better drugs, materials and technology and has a full range of chemical and analytical facilities. Postgraduate students can apply to study with them.
NZ Institute of Chemistry offers networking and professional development opportunities, with reduced student membership fees, and postgraduate scholarship opportunities.
Chiasma is a student-led organisation that focuses on linking Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) students with industry. Chiasma Wellington hosts development and networking opportunities. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Wellington Young Professionals also offer various events and opportunities for networking. The Alumni as Mentors programme for final-year students also helps enhance your connections and employability while studying.
Graduate career stories
David Herman
David followed academic strengths in Chemistry through to a PhD, which now supports his work as an intellectual property patent attorney in Australia.
Kalpani Somarathne
The international language of science drew Kalpani to pursue a PhD in chemistry, then transition into interdisciplinary work as a government funding assessor.
Brad White
Brad found the complementary nature of Psychology and Chemistry a challenge that set him up for demanding lab work in the pharmaceutical industry.