Chemistry Overview

	A.A.S. - Chemistry, St. Louis Junior College
	Chemical Technician
	"I feel it is important to take college-level math and science courses. Communication skills are also vital for writing reports and making presentations."

"I am a chemical technician in a toxicology lab at Monsanto. My primary job function is to provide analytical support for the studies performed there. These studies provide data necessary for the worldwide registration of Monsanto products. Many of the materials I analyze are agricultural chemicals. A typical day for me consists of sample preparation and analysis of the concentration of the test materials in various matrices. In some studies, we expose rodents to test materials in their chow. I monitor the concentration of these chemicals to make sure it is correct and the animals are getting the proper dosage.

I feel that as a chemical technician, I have a very rewarding career. I have the best of both worlds. My work includes a lot of exciting science and discovery, and I did not have to obtain a four-year college degree. To prepare for a career as a chemical technician, however, I feel it is important to take college-level math and science courses. Communication skills are also vital for writing reports and making presentations.

Many junior colleges and technical schools offer chemical technology programs, and industry often recruits graduates as chemical technicians. After training is completed, I feel it is important to keep up with new technologies by enrolling in continuing education; a good source of seminars and workshops can be found at ACS meetings."