Home of the brave!

Careers in Chemistry are not just for civilians.  If you are considering entering the military, consider this:

According to eHow money, "Military careers in chemistry are similar to civilian careers except that having a job with the military, as of 2009, can pay you somewhere between $1,294.50 and $14,688.60 a month depending on rank and length of service."  As with most civilian careers, the amount of money you earn is also largely based on your level of education.  

There are many positions available across the U.S. Military for those interested in chemistry.  Most branches of the military have need for what's called "Explosive Ordnance Disposal" officers.  These individuals are responsible for "locating, accessing, identifying, rendering safe, neutralizing, and disposing of hazards from foreign and domestic, conventional, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosives (CBRNE), unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that present a threat to operations, installations, personnel, or materiel." 

For a look at a full job description for this particular job title available in the Marine Corps, click here.  

Obviously this is a career path which requires intense dedication, high levels of training and (in most cases) education, and devotion to our country.  As most of the needs for this type of position are in combat areas, it is high risk.  This type of career path should NOT be entered into lightly.

Check out this video about U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal training.  

Explosives not for you?  The military offers plenty of other chemistry and biology related careers, ranging from environmental officers to research positions...even makeup artists!

"Moulage artists" are members of the military who specialize in the application of realistic-looking "injuries" in order to facilitate medical training.  Take a look!

(WARNING: some of these images are graphic.)

Could you see yourself in this type of career?  Why or why not?

So you like to write...

According to About.com, the notion of "lateralization of brain function" (i.e. the left side of your brain controls logic and analysis, the right side of your brain controls intuition and subjectivity, and one or the other is more dominant depending on the individual) "has a basis in fact that has been dramatically distorted and exaggerated."

Science and The Arts are not mutually exclusive subjects.  Many of us science geeks are actually thoughtful, creative beings who like to partake in artistic ventures like creating music, drawing and painting, and writing, among others.

Check out this blog post by Science Geek Girl.  I was really drawn to her statement, "I found that I loved learning about science more than actually doing it."  For this reason, along with other reasons explained in her post, she decided to become a science writer.

Here's an example of another blog post written by a science writer.  If you click the link toward the top of this post (where it says, "really popular meme directed at science writers"), it brings to you a post by Discover Blogs, where you can read the stories of almost 150 scientists who decided to become scientific writers.

Why is this so cool?  Science journalists can work in many different mediums.  Like to play online?  Create a blog!  Want to travel the world?  Science news happens EVERYWHERE.  Are you super opinionated?  There are simply thousands of newspapers and online sites who need editorial columnists.

According to Wellcome Trust, an independent medical research charity, "Skilled science journalists are in tune with the twists and turns of scientific discovery...they are right in the front line of science communication."  Check out their video featuring veteran science journalist, Tim Radford.  He says, "Whats's going on in science is so exciting, that it seems ridiculous that you wouldn't want to tell people.  You can tell people things that have never been written before."  Now that is amazing.

Can you see yourself using your knowledge of science to move into an artistic and creative field like science journalism?

Plausible Plot?

Ever watch a movie and think, "That just could not happen!  It's not scientifically possible!"  If you're anything like me, you've not only thought those words, but actually said them out loud, voice laden with disgust, much to the annoyance of the non-scientists watching with you.

OK...so...do something about it!  Become a scientific consultant in Hollywood.  There are a number of companies devoted to this.  Below are some examples:
http://www.hollywoodmath.com/
http://www.factualfootage.com/
http://www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/

Check out the trailer for "Contagion."  Contagion, released in 2011, is a film about the outbreak of a global fast-spreading virus.  Characters include regular everyday people, members of government, and yes...scientists.

Next, check out this article in which real Hollywood scientific consultants are interviewed about their work on "Contagion."

Pretty neat, huh?

Are there any other movies or TV shows where you wish the producers/writers would have employed more realistic scientific plots?  Which ones?  What could they have done better?

On the contrary, are there any movies or shows that made you think, "Wow, they really did their homework"?  What did they do well?

Please comment below.

Smelling nice can be an occupational hazard

You might not be as famous as Lady Gaga, but you can be a perfume designer, too.  Perfume companies all over the world have a wealth of positions for Chemists, including Cosmetic Formulator, Analytical Services, Synthesis Chemist...even sales positions for people with Chemistry degrees.

Check out this website for a step-by-step process on obtaining a job in the Perfume industry as a Chemist.

Click here for some printable perfume coupons  You're welcome :)

[Your Name Here]: Crime Scene Investigator

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is a popular fictional drama series, launched in 2000.  It follows a group of crime scene analysts in Las Vegas.  Since its premier, there have been a couple spin-offs, including CSI: Miami and CSI: New York.  It has also inspired many other investigative police/crime scene shows.  Though sometimes criticized for being unrealistic, it portrays a few different possibilities for careers in Chemistry.

Click this link for a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Virtual Lab Tour 
(WARNING: Some of the images are graphic)

Next, click this link to view an article about "debunked myths perpetuated by such popular crime shows"

After watching the video and viewing the article, please think about the following questions:

1. Do you think crime scene investigative work is a viable career option for someone interested in Chemistry?
2. After watching shows like CSI, do you think some students might be let down with the actual day-to-day procedures of a career in this field?
3. Are the widespread criticisms of this show by police and district attorneys justified?  Why or why not?

Please post a comment answering any or all of these questions.

What are you going to do with that?

"Chemistry, huh?  What are you going to do with that?"

I can't even count the number of times I was asked this question as I was getting my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry.

My response?

"Any.  Thing.  I.  Want."

The possibilities are truly endless...

 D. Beck, 2006