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Five Exciting Career Choices For Chemistry Students
We’ve told you all about why you should study chemistry but what comes next? While chemistry is a great subject to study for GCSE or A-Levels, it can also lead some pretty interesting career choices. And no, they aren’t all just titled ‘Chemist’…there are plenty of different jobs involving chemistry!
Since chemistry is the study of how the elements of our world work together, careers in this area can range from anything from designing cars to space exploration. But don’t just take our word for it! Check out this list of the most interesting jobs for chemistry students.
Food Scientist
From sweets to marmite and everything in between, Food Scientists are in charge of making our food tastes delicious and stays fresh. By applying chemistry to the creation of food products, they can make fatty foods non-fatty, create ‘fake’ chocolate, and even make the unhealthiest of foods nutritional. A great example of food chemistry can found in the work of celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal. By understanding how the elements of food work together, he can create things like scrambled egg ice cream and even edible tableware. “Nom nom nom…”
Firework Designer
While you’re having fun on bonfire night, a chemist has been working hard to make those fireworks sparkle. Firework designers work with different chemical elements to create the brilliant colours and effects you see in a fireworks display. Not convinced? Fireworks contain six vital chemical ingredients: fuel, oxidising agents, reducing agents, colouring agents, binders and regulators. A fireworks designer knows exactly how much to mix of each to create the dazzling effect you need.
Crystallographer
There are more to those pretty crystals you find in new age shops than meets the eye. Crystallographers study the structures of crystals found in anything from gemstones to snow flakes, so that they can replicate them in laboratory scenarios. And it’s not all about a pretty picture! These chemistry know-it-alls allow us to grow crystals for things like computers, foods and even digital watches.
Forensic Chemist
No matter how brilliant Sherlock Holmes is, there are some things even a fictional detective can miss. But not for a Forensic Chemist. These guys look a crime scenes from a chemical perspective, looking at substances like fibres, paints and poisons to try and catch the culprit. A great example of forensic chemistry at work can be seen in crimes involving fires. Forensic chemists can analyse the material found at the crime scene to find out exactly what substances were used to start the fire.
Art Conservator
Ever visited an art museum and wondered how a 500 year old painting can look so good? Art conservators use their knowledge of chemistry to create dyes and colours to restore older paintings and make sure they are kept bright and beautiful for years to come. They also take into account how different paints interact with the world around them in order to help plan conservation environments. Who knew science and art could mix so well!?
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