In 1998, the ACS published a detailed report based on a survey of senior management in industry, government, and academe entitled Current Trends in Chemical Technology, Business, and Employment. The issues addressed in the study included areas of growth and decline, shifts in R&D funding, economic factors, and federal policies affecting the chemical industry. It also estimated supply of and demand for chemical professionals, focusing on hiring trends and degrees granted in the chemical sciences. The information in this section and the next section is taken from this report.

Increased demand for new consumer goods such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, rubber and miscellaneous plastics, and specialty chemicals is expected to create jobs in these industrial segments. In essence, the effect will counterbalance the slower growth and loss of jobs predicted in the chemical industry that traditionally has employed chemists (e.g., industrial chemicals).

Current Trends indicates that growth can be expected in drug discovery, biotechnology, combinatorial and computational chemistry, materials design, catalysis, food technology, information technology, and fine and specialty chemicals. These new areas of growth illustrate how opportunities and different segments can change rather rapidly over time.

It is important to know not only where the opportunities lie in terms of industries and the fields and kinds of companies that are hiring but also which abilities employers are looking for, so that you can correct any weaknesses and market your strengths. Current Trends recommends that the successful job seeker cultivate not only a mastery of chemistry but also

· a breadth of knowledge of science,
· communication skills,
· problem-solving ability,
· computer literacy,
· flexibility and versatility,
· some practical experience,
· a business orientation, and
· interpersonal and leadership skills.

The employment outlook is generally brighter now than it has been at any time in the past 10 years. The current job market and the less stable future job base require chemists to be flexible and creative in seeking jobs, and to focus on acquiring and maintaining career management skills. Remember that true job security rests in your abilities, not in any specific position or employer.