With a combination of science interests
and hands-on skills,
chemical technicians
improve consumer products…
from baby shampoo and breakfast cereal
to engine oil.
They use laboratory instruments
and techniques to help research, produce,
and test chemical products and processes.
Chemical technicians
generally work on teams led by chemists
or chemical engineers…
who direct their work
and evaluate the results.
Technicians work in laboratories
or industrial facilities such as
chemical and pharmaceutical
manufacturing plants.
In labs, chemical technicians
help conduct experiments
in research and development
—for example, helping develop new medicines,
or clean energy and pollution control solutions.
They prepare reports
and give presentations to describe results.
Those who work in manufacturing…
assist in developing more efficient
production processes,
and troubleshoot fixes
for malfunctioning instruments.
Most chemical technicians work full time,
and may work extra hours
to meet project deadlines.
Some work irregular hours
monitoring experiments or plant operations.
Following proper procedures
is essential in this field…
to avoid exposure to health or safety hazards.
For most jobs, chemical technicians
need an associate’s degree
in applied science or chemical technology,
or two years of related college coursework.
Lab experience at school is critical
to gain hands on practice
conducting experiments
and using instruments properly.