The concept of a job emerged from a need to package work done in the growing factories and bureaucracies of the industrialized world. In the past, an offer of employment was based on the long-term needs of an organization, and acceptance of employment signified a lifetime commitment; mutual loyalty was implicit in the agreement. Pay increases came over time, and businesses were run like families. Job security was more or less guaranteed.

Today, long-term employment security is, for many workers, a thing of the past. Roughly one-third of American industrial firms now outsource at least half of their manufacturing and support. Offers of employment are based on current business needs; therefore, acceptance of employment must be based on the short-term needs of the individual. Employment and pay increases are based on performance and reflect business need, fit, and contribution. Given all of these factors, job security can be described as residing in the individual's skills and abilities, not in a specific position. Therefore, job security should now be defined as the ability to find another job.

To understand the employment arena of chemical scientists, you must first understand the major factors that influence (and are expected to continue to influence) the chemical industry. As a chemist, you must be aware of how these factors will affect the progression of your career.

Market Trends
Organizational Trends
Current Trends

Targeting the Job Market and Current Trends in Chemical Technology, Business, and Employment, published by the ACS Department of Career Services, offer a detailed discussion on evaluating the job market as well as the big picture on technology, business, economic, R&D, and hiring trends in the corporate, government, and academic worlds.