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Asked by anon-361695 on 29 Mar 2023.
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Graeme Dykes answered on 29 Mar 2023:
Try to read as much as you can about general chemistry and then the sub-groups (Organic, Inorganic and Physical). Try to follow on Royal Institution lectures You Tube or similar.
(also Martyn Poliakoff, Mark Miodownik
To get a decent job in the chemical industry then you will need a minimum of a degree in chemistry.
Having good grades at school in Chemistry and maths will help you get on a good degree course. Depending on your interests, physics and biology are also worthwhile.
There are many University courses so you should think about where you want to study. Those which include an industrial placement scheme are very useful
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Martin McCoustra answered on 29 Mar 2023:
I won’t beat around the bush… chemistry is quite a difficult subject because of breadth of coverage of the subject… it stretches from biology at one extreme to physics and astronomy at the other. If you are thinking about studying chemistry then you should also consider doing mathematics. A larger part of chemistry relies on being able to use and apply mathematical tools to understanding chemistry.
The most important thing is in choosing subjects at school and university is do what you enjoy as well as do what you are good at. Listen to what your teachers are saying. They’ve been through this process.
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Arno Kraft answered on 30 Mar 2023:
No matter which science, Chemistry or other, you study, you need to learn the foundations of your subject first. This is hard work – just like school.
After that, my advice would be: find your niche, the area where you are good at, what you like to spend more time on, and where you can excel. None of us is an all-round wizard at everything. Chemistry is the central science. There are opportunities to combine talents. Some chemists get interested in the borderline between chemistry and biology, for example to develop new pharmaceutical drugs or understand what goes on in a cell. Others like physics/engineering, which are useful knowledge for a chemist when designing new materials. Or you can combine your skills in programming/computing with chemistry to develop new programs. And others use their practical skills in working in the lab. Loads of opportunities for a chemist.
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Maryam Sani answered on 30 Mar 2023:
I studied chemistry and had a great experience. From day one be on top of your studies, read around the topics, watch videos, and of course join the Royal Society of Chemistry as a student member. I would suggest that you engage in all the opportunities that are available to get work experience, and there are mentorship programs that help to clear doubts. There are so many professions that involve chemistry so be open-minded rather than making a final decision about your final career.
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Jade Markham answered on 31 Mar 2023:
Maryam made a good point – you can look at the RSC for information and they often have career fairs/information available.
I would say that you don’t have to know everything about chemistry to get a place at uni. Just try your best at your schoolwork and when you pick your a levels, look at what universities you might like to go to and see what other subjects they recommend you take if any.
Do other things you enjoy too. If its only science that interests you that is ok, but if you like other things don’t give up on those either. We need scientists who are well rounded and minds work differently.
See if there are any university or companies doing science near you and write to them and ask if they would let you come for the day/week and get some experience so you can see what its like.
Then when you get to uni work hard and take every opportunity you can. Build a network with people.
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