Major: Chemistry
Why did you choose to pursue your degree?
I chose to pursue my degree in chemistry because I realized that chemistry is important in everything in the world. Plus, I enjoyed mathematics and science classes in high school, and since chemistry is a science filled with math, I knew it would be a perfect fit.
What types of jobs are available for students who share your major?
The opportunities are pretty much endless for chemistry majors. Medical school, graduate school, quality assurance chemistry at a company, and teaching are all viable options (Plus much more)! Chemistry has five different branches which help to give people many opportunities. The branches include analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. Concentrating in any of these branches gives majors many professional opportunities.
How will you use your degree upon graduation?
Personally, I will take my chemistry degree from Mount Union College and go on graduate school. I am not sure what branch of chemistry I want to go into but when I am finished with graduate school, the sky’s the limit.
What activities are you involved in?
I am involved actively on the Mount Union Campus. Presently I am an a member of the American Chemical Society, Sophomore Service Honorary, Alpha Lambda Delta, First Year in Honors Mentor Program, and Emerging Leaders. Plus, I’m a lab assistant, which will help me decide whether I want to be a professor. I was involved in much more during my freshman year, but I found that these were the organizations and programs I wanted to focus on.
What elements should a person possess in order to succeed in your major?
Chemistry majors need to have self-determination, diligence, passion, and patience. Inquisitiveness is also a great element to have as chemistry majors are always questioning why and how things happen in the lab, especially when things go wrong. By questioning what is going on, a major will learn more and become more successful.
What advice can you offer for someone who is considering having the same major as you?
Chemistry is a pretty challenging major but with hard work and determination, it is very do-able. A good strategy is to come to American Chemical Society meetings and their functions in order to meet other chemistry majors, especially upperclassmen that have already taken the classes you need to take. They can help you understand concepts better and help you decide which classes to take. Also, do not be afraid to go to study and tutoring sessions and also do not be afraid to go to your professors with questions. Chemistry is challenging, you should expect to need help every once in a while.
Chemistry is a very rewarding major in which the opportunities are endless. As a short-term example, I completed a chemistry research internship at the University of Kentucky over the 2008 summer. The professors at Mount Union College teach their classes very well which makes the task of learning chemistry less daunting. At this point, I haven’t asked a chemistry-related question to anyone of my professors in which they did not know the answer.