Connie Murphy, advanced research
"I am a senior research technologist and I work with a senior Ph.D. chemist," says Connie Murphy, a technician associate at Dow Chemical Company. "In my current job, I specialize in applied research in films processing. The films we work on are high performance materials used for electronic applications. Part of my job is to characterize the films using techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry. This tells us what happens to the film during heat changes. I also identify decomposition temperatures in nitrogen and air using thermogravimetric analysis."

"In research, things are different each day," Murphy continues. "My work offers lots of variety because I'm involved in different projects, and I get to see these projects through from beginning to end. I enjoy the variety." There is a lot of opportunity in this field, according to Murphy, who explains that technicians work as part of a team and are able to take a significant role in projects and do complex work. "This is what makes the job rewarding and satisfying."

Sue Dudek, analytical support
"As a chemical technician who works in a toxicology laboratory, my primary responsibility is to provide analytical support for the studies performed in the lab," says Sue Dudek, analytical technician at Monsanto Company. "Many of the materials I analyze are agricultural chemicals, and the results provide data necessary for the worldwide registration of Monsanto products," she explains. "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 that the animals are getting the proper dosage. By becoming a technician, I have the best of both worlds," concludes Dudek. "My work includes a lot of exciting science and discovery, and I did not have to obtain a four-year college degree."

Michael Cisneros, environmental testing
"Much of the work I have done during the past 16 years has revolved around separations chemistry," says Michael Cisneros, a chemical laboratory technician at Los Alamos National Laboratory. "I specialize in the separation of the actinide elements from various media to determine how much, if any, is present in the waste streams we generate."

Cisneros is particularly involved in the separation and safe disposal of plutonium, an actinide element that has been the focus of research by Los Alamos scientists. "We have a lab that treats the waste streams we generate and prepares them for storage, but we first need to make sure as little plutonium as possible is in that waste stream," he points out.

"New methods to lower the amounts of plutonium in the waste are developed by the scientists in my group. My job is to analyze the waste stream and let them know how well we are doing. Using alpha spectroscopy, I measured the levels of plutonium and found that they were well below the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits. However, it's always possible that the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy will set new limits on what level is allowed to be released and we need to have the technology to meet those restrictions."

Gwyn Warner, database management
"Most chemical technicians are up and about all day. My job just happens to find me sitting at a desk," says Gwyn Warner, a senior lab technician at Union Carbide. Warner is in charge of a huge database that tracks the physical properties of all Union Carbide products. The information on the database serves as a resource for the company's customers and provides the details for material safety data sheets (MSDS) and for shipping purposes. "Sometimes customers call me with questions," notes Warner. "I either answer the questions myself, or get the answers from the scientists around me who are extremely knowledgeable."

"I like working with computers," she explains. "I was responsible for taking this database from the paper to the electronic state. I liked the challenge it presented." Warner continues, "I am generally a person who likes to keep things organized and pays attention to detail. The day-to-day work may look routine, but it isn't. You have to be on the lookout for any relevant piece of information, no matter how small. My job is perfectly suited to my personality and I feel very lucky to be doing what I do."

Martha Straughter, process technician
"I worked for three years as an analytical technician, and four years as a process operator. I have now been a chemical process technician for 11 years and I've really found my niche," says Martha Straughter, a senior process technician at Novartis Corporation.

Working in process chemistry means developing and improving the processes by which products are made. Improving a process may involve reducing the number of process steps while maintaining or improving overall yields. "In the process lab, we use a lot of fractionation and distillation equipment, gas chromatography, and HPLC," explains Straughter. "As we develop the process, my job is to pull samples at intervals and test them to ensure that we are making the product we want to be making."

Straughter also has responsibility for the stock area for her group (site). "I make sure that everything runs correctly," she says. "I have responsibility for the proper handling and disposal of 3,375 different chemicals and reagents. It's unusual for a R&D technician to have so much responsibility," she amplifies, "but I've been with the company for a long time and I've demonstrated the ability to handle multiple tasks." She continues, "When you are a chemical technician, the scientists see you as a valuable resource. The more versatile you are, the more valuable you become."

Dennis Marshall, environmental coordinator
"Everything I do revolves around keeping our site in compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations," says Dennis Marshall, technician associate and environmental coordinator at Eastman Chemical Company. Marshall spent many years as a process and development technician and a member of the technical staff in a manufacturing area. When a job opened in the environmental area, he grabbed the opportunity. "I knew the processes and the equipment. I knew where waste was being generated and how to work towards minimizing the waste."

"One of my jobs is to monitor the total organic carbon that goes from the production areas and into the wastewater treatment system. Every 24 hours, samples are taken and GC analysis is done to look at individual organic constituents. Then, we look for new ways to get the organic constituents out," he continues.

"Another area of my job is to come up with the material balances for the permits which govern the operation of our facilities. Being in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations is of utmost importance. I study new environmental equipment for use in our facilities, write and implement inspection procedures, and meet with inspection officials from the EPA. My job essentially enables the company to work in a full compliance situation. The job can be stressful and working on weekends is not uncommon since our site operates 24 hours a day."

Kay Losciuto, GMP auditor
Kay Losciuto had recently graduated from an accredited chemical technology program when she landed her first full-time job at Mallinckrodt, a manufacturer of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. "I started as a quality assurance batch record review technician; now I work as a compliance auditor, making sure all of the manufacturing processes and quality systems meet federal Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations. Following GMP's is particularly important in our processes for pharmaceuticals manufacturing. I look at all the steps and processes that take place in the plant-from the process areas where products are made to validations, shipping and receiving, quality control, and process maintenance. I draw on every part of my chemical training to understand how to keep us in compliance with the federal regulations. I also continuously update my knowledge."

Losciuto's position at Mallinckrodt has traditionally been filled by bachelor degree chemists. "There's never been a chemical technician with an associate degree doing my job," Losciuto adds. "It's one of the many examples of the ways the field is changing and opening up. Your skills become more valuable as you gain experience and a broad base of knowledge. This may put you in the running for positions not previously assigned to technicians."

WORK DESCRIPTION
Chemical technicians work in every aspect of the chemical process industry-from basic research to hazardous waste management. Research and development technicians work in experimental laboratories and process control technicians work in manufacturing or other industrial plants. Technicians operate many kinds of equipment and instrumentation, set up apparatus for chemical reactions, prepare compounds, monitor commercial production, test for product quality, and collect and analyze samples produced through organic synthesis. They conduct a variety of laboratory procedures from routine process control to complex research projects. Technicians also work in data management, quality control, and shipping to provide technical support and expertise to these functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Chemical technicians are vital members of self-directed work teams. They sometimes work independently. Most are hired on a "non-exempt" basis-that is, they work a 40-hour week and are paid overtime for additional work hours. The workday can be very long when involved with big projects. Chemical technicians tend to be on the move during the day with a variety of responsibilities. They often report to more than one person. Most technicians work indoors, but a few work outdoors taking samples and measurements.

PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT
Chemical technicians are a vital and growing part of the industrial workforce at chemical, engineering, and oil companies. They are employed by federal, state, and local governments, including national research laboratories and government science agencies. Academia employs a few technicians. Although the chemical industry employs the largest number of chemical technicians, some work in related industries such as polymers, electronics, biotechnology, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, paints, soaps and fragrances. Some companies have well-defined career ladders for technicians, but, generally, dedication and hard work are the main criteria for advancement. Skills are often transferable and technicians today are more able to move between companies than they have been in the past.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Technicians are people on the go. They often work in more than one laboratory, monitoring experiments and procedures. They must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Chemical technicians' interest in scientific and technical areas help them understand their jobs. They have high mechanical aptitude, are creative, and have good observation skills. They describe themselves as problem solvers and say they are self starters with the ability to think for themselves. Technicians are people who are able to work with their hands, think analytically, and pay attention to detail. Other important qualities include a desire to learn new skills, a willingness to accept responsibility, and a commitment to finish a project.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING
A solid background in applied, basic chemistry and math, and skill using various kinds of equipment and standard labware are vital. An associate degree in applied science (A.A.S.) or chemical technology is the best preparation for work in the field. Technicians with such degrees are attractive to employers because they have scientific knowledge and laboratory skills and require less-on-the-job training. More than 130 community and two-year colleges offer this. Without an A.A.S. degree, most employers prefer two years of specialized training. Take chemistry and math courses. Develop computer and written and verbal communications skills.

JOB OUTLOOK
Technicians hold positions with responsibilities that were once only assigned to Ph.D.s and engineers. The field is changing and expanding, and the demand for qualified technical workers will keep job opportunities growing. Particularly strong areas of growth are the medical, biotechnology, and environmental management and testing industries. Government laboratories will be tougher places to find jobs because of funding cutbacks and incentive programs for retaining the present work force.

Some employers hire technicians on a temporary basis without benefits, such as health insurance, even though some temporary assignments last as long as a few years. Demand for chemical technicians will continue to increase as automation, new products, and complex production processes become more sophisticated in the chemical industries.

SALARY RANGE
Chemical technicians with an associate's degree command good starting salaries. Salaries vary by the geographic location, the technician's education and experience, and the type and size of the company. In 1995, 45% of new technicians earned $28,000 or less. Experienced technicians earned between $28,000 and $35,000-per-year. Technicians with 6-10 years of experience earn between $35,000 and $42,000 a year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
ACS Division of Chemical Technicians
American Chemical Society
1155 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
(800) 227-5558

WHAT TO DO NOW
Take courses in chemistry and gain experience using various laboratory equipment. Technicians in the field today emphasize considering a position as a chemical technician as a career move. Determine what areas of chemistry are of most interest to you first and then seek out work experience or academic expertise in these areas while remaining open to other opportunities that may cross your career path.

American Chemical Society, Education Division, 1155 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 452-2113; http://www.acs.org/education/. Production of career material was funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.