In honour of the series finale of crime drama Breaking Bad this past Sunday and the expertise of its main character, Walter White, this week’s career memes pay tribute to chemists.
Careers in chemical technology are plentiful, according to the American Chemical Society. Chemical technicians utilise their skills in the development of new products, materials and processing methods. For example, in the process of manufacturing computer components, such as graphics and microprocessors.
Employers that will hire chemical technicians include oil or engineering companies, academia, governments, and research laboratories.
Chemists will possess a post-secondary education in maths and applied basic chemistry, as well as strong analytical, observational and data-interpretation skills. They also need to pay attention to detail, be self-starters and problem solvers, able to manage multiple projects, and use standard labware and related equipment.
In Ireland, a chemist can expect to earn a salary of between €15,781- €43,022, with an average salary of €36,721, according to PayScale.com.
