Organic chemists work with carbon compounds to create and improve everyday items like detergents, cosmetics, and plastics. They work for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies, and academic institutions. A bachelor’s degree in organic chemistry — or a degree in chemistry with a focus on organic chemistry — is usually required to work as an organic chemist. Employers frequently seek organic chemists with a doctoral degree, particularly those who will conduct advanced research, lead interdisciplinary teams, and teach. Organic chemistry has the most doctoral degree graduates of any chemistry discipline in the United States, according to the American Chemical Society.
Hundreds of colleges and universities offer chemistry undergraduate and graduate programs in organic chemistry. You should study chemistry, other basic sciences, and math in high school and develop strong computer skills to prepare for a degree as an organic chemist. Organic chemists frequently use three-dimensional computer modeling to aid in the study of complex molecules and work in laboratories with sophisticated computerized instruments.
Look for opportunities to work in summer internships during your undergraduate years. An internship will give you hands-on experience, may help you make contacts for future employment, and can give you insight into career paths and the degree level you should pursue. Many people with bachelor’s degrees in organic chemistry work as research assistants, so the ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team is essential. Doctoral graduates frequently work in management positions, overseeing research and product development teams. Leadership and motivational abilities are required for this position.
Organic chemists work in groups and independently, so having a flexible personality to work in either setting is a good prerequisite for becoming an organic chemist. Good reading, writing, and overall communication skills are also beneficial in becoming an organic chemist. If you want to be an organic chemist, you should have a strong desire to work with your hands as well as your brain, because you will likely spend a lot of time in a hands-on laboratory setting.
An organic chemist’s understanding of other chemistry disciplines and areas such as business and marketing can be beneficial. To conduct research and develop products, organic chemists are increasingly working as part of interdisciplinary teams. An organic chemist, for example, might need to know the identity of compounds prepared an analytical chemist or how a specific product will be received consumers.