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With a combination of science interests

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and hands-on skills,

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chemical technicians

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improve consumer products…

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from baby shampoo and breakfast cereal

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to engine oil.

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They use laboratory instruments

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and techniques to help research, produce,

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and test chemical products and processes.

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Chemical technicians

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generally work on teams led by chemists

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or chemical engineers…

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who direct their work

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and evaluate the results.

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Technicians work in laboratories

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or industrial facilities such as

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chemical and pharmaceutical

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manufacturing plants.

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In labs, chemical technicians

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help conduct experiments

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in research and development

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—for example, helping develop new medicines,

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or clean energy and pollution control solutions.

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They prepare reports

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and give presentations to describe results.

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Those who work in manufacturing…

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assist in developing more efficient

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production processes,

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and troubleshoot fixes

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for malfunctioning instruments.

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Most chemical technicians work full time,

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and may work extra hours

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to meet project deadlines.

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Some work irregular hours

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monitoring experiments or plant operations.

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Following proper procedures

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is essential in this field…

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to avoid exposure to health or safety hazards.

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For most jobs, chemical technicians

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need an associate’s degree

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in applied science or chemical technology,

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or two years of related college coursework.

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Lab experience at school is critical

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to gain hands on practice

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conducting experiments

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and using instruments properly.