Career Opportunities in Chemistry

What can I do with a major in Chemistry?

Students graduating with a chemistry degree are highly successful in obtaining employment or a graduate position in virtually any field of study, but more specifically in any field of chemistry, biochemistry or forensic science.
Employers and graduate schools know that chemistry is one of the most challenging disciplines offered to undergraduate students. It is well known that graduates with a chemistry degree are well-educated and highly motivated citizens.

Graduate/Professional School Opportunities

We have been told by graduate schools across Ohio to send our graduates to them. Our department has an excellent reputation for preparing our majors well for graduate school.
Students who attend graduate school in chemistry receive an annual stipend of approximately $20,000 and a tuition waiver.  All chemistry graduate students are paid as either Teaching Assistants in undergraduate chemistry labs or Research Assistants, thus avoiding student loans. Our graduates have close to 100 percent acceptance into chemistry graduate schools.
 

Alumnae and Alumni

Accomplishments

In addition to jobs in industry and medicine, recent (1999-2007) graduates from the Chemistry program have gone on to hold professional positions at:

  • Akzo Nobel
  • Consumers Energy
  • Cooper Tire
  • Ohio State University Pharmacy
  • Premier Chemicals
  • Toledo University

Recent graduates have also furthered their education at:

  • Bowling Green State University
  • Case Western University
  • Duke University
  • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Toledo University
  • University of Akron
  • University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
  • University of Missouri – St. Louis School of Optometry
Profiles

David Ziemnik, ’98 and Lisa (Schlater) Ziemnik, M.D., ‘99

While at Heidelberg, David split his time between the Chemistry Department and the English Department as a double major. He was instrumental in kick starting independent research within the Chemistry Department under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Esterline. David was involved in numerous research projects such as “Refining Used Motor Oil” and “Fisher Esterification Using Microwave Energy,” which resulted in a few publications. During his senior year, he also worked at The Advertiser-Tribune (Tiffin’s newspaper) as a staff writer. He spent three years as both the General Chemistry Lab Teaching Assistant as well as a student advisor for incoming freshman. During his free time, David was an active member of Sigma Tau Nu men’s fraternity, and he spent time with his future wife, Lisa. David is currently a Research and Development Chemist for The Shepherd Color Company in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lisa was a four-year recipient of The Masten Scholarship. While at Heidelberg, she was enrolled in The Honors Program and was the first student ever to graduate with Departmental Honors in Chemistry. As part of her additional graduation requirements, Lisa performed independent research involving the syntheses of the anti-cancer drug Epothilone under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Esterline. Lisa was also involved in many other research projects, which resulted in numerous publications. After Heidelberg, Lisa went on to medical school at The University of Cincinnati. She concluded her residency training at Dayton Children’s Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. She is currently a fully licensed board certified pediatrician with Wilmington Medical Associates in Wilmington, Ohio.
 

David and Lisa shared the following about their experiences at Heidelberg:
 
At Heidelberg, Chemistry students have the opportunity to learn from a talented team of faculty in the classroom and in the laboratory. Students are given the opportunity to conduct independent research, which is usually reserved for graduate school. Faculty members take the time to meet with students on an individual basis. They actively help and encourage students to pursue their own areas of interest within the vast field of chemistry. Faculty members make sure students leave Heidelberg with a strong appreciation for the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of chemistry.
 
Our time at Heidelberg allowed us to develop strong academic and technical foundations, which helped launch us into our chosen careers. The Chemistry Program helped refine problem solving skills utilized both in the business world and with day-to-day challenges. The professors emphasized the importance of paying attention to minor details (Sig Figs!) in the classroom and to precision and accuracy in the laboratory, making it easy to transition into the chemistry and medical fields.