Career Information | University of Portland

Career Information

The chemistry department recommends the resources linked below for information about careers in chemistry and resources that help undergraduate students prepare for a career in chemistry.  The American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society, publishes the first two sites and keeps information current.

1) College to Career: Getting a job in chemistry

This site shares profiles of chemists and provides information about chemistry careers, technical disciplines, and preparation for a career in chemistry.  The video library addresses job responsibilities, public speaking and presenting, interviewing and negotiating, succeeding on the job, and writing well.


2) Information for undergraduate chemistry students

This site includes information about undergraduate research programs, internships, jobs, study abroad programs, scholarships, planning for graduate school, attending an ACS meeting, and other opportunities.

The Career Center at the University of Portland provides services and resources to current students and alumni.  They can help you identify skills, strengths, interests, and explore your options within a career in chemistry.  To schedule an appointment with one of their staff members, stop by their office, call 503-943-7201, or request an appointment online.

The chemistry department is very proud of our chemistry alumni and their post-graduate accomplishments.  A recent study of chemistry majors graduating from UP in the period 2012-2017 revealed these outcomes:

  • 21% of chemistry alumni attended graduate school in the chemical sciences
  • 36% attended medical or other professional schools
  • 27% obtained jobs in the private sector
  •   5% obtained jobs as teachers
  • 12% pursued other or unknown activities