What can you do with a Chemistry degree from Texas Tech University?

First, some facts. Of the Chemistry graduates from Texas Tech University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 42%, Chemistry graduates from Texas Tech University have a substantially lower likelihood (-25%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 42%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 40% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Chemistry graduate.

See the details:

View a random Chemistry graduate from Texas Tech University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 18%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Ecommerce Merchant
Self-employed
Dec 2018 - Dec 2020
The role as an Ecommerce Merchant does not leverage the specific knowledge or skills from a Chemistry degree, focusing instead on online retail operations.

Amazon Associate
Amazon
Sep 2020 - Dec 2020
Being an Amazon Associate does not require Chemistry knowledge or skills and primarily involves customer service and order management.

Amazon Associate
Amazon
Sep 2020 - Dec 2020
This role as an Amazon Associate similarly does not utilize any specific Chemistry skills or knowledge, focusing on tasks unrelated to the field of study.

Specimen Processor
Inform Diagnostics
Dec 2020 - Jun 2022
As a Specimen Processor at Inform Diagnostics, there is some connection to Chemistry through the handling and analysis of biological specimens, but it's not a core application of Chemistry knowledge and skills.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
2024 - 2025
ABOUT

A healthcare data analyst with a broad understanding of healthcare information management, statistics, and data analysis. Proficient in collecting and managing confidential healthcare data and ensuring accuracy in data analysis. Committed to leveraging my skills in data analysis to drive better patient outcomes.

What jobs can you get with a Chemistry degree from Texas Tech University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles of graduates with a Chemistry degree from Texas Tech University, it seems that many have ventured into fields that are partially related to chemistry but not always directly aligned with their studies. A significant number took roles like Water Quality Scientist positions at the San Antonio River Authority, which definitely use chemistry principles for environmental analysis. You can see that for some professionals, such as Graduate Research Assistants or Postdoctoral Research Fellows, the connections to chemistry are strong because they focus on research and scientific methodologies. However, there are also many graduates who ended up in roles like accounting, product support, or server positions, where the link to chemistry is almost nonexistent.

This indicates that while a Chemistry degree provides solid analytical skills and scientific knowledge, some graduates may end up in jobs that don’t utilize those core competencies. It's also noteworthy to see some graduates who do stay in the science field, particularly in roles that require critical thinking and technical skills, but others drift towards non-scientific careers. Overall, while there are promising career paths in fields directly related to chemistry, many graduates find themselves in positions that do not actively apply what they learned at Texas Tech.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Chemistry graduates (this is across all Chemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Texas Tech University):

What kind of career trajectories do Chemistry graduates from Texas Tech University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of Texas Tech University graduates with a degree in Chemistry, it seems like there’s a mixed bag of outcomes. For many, especially those who graduated earlier, a significant number have landed jobs directly related to their field, particularly in environmental science and laboratory roles. The graduate from 2011, for example, advanced through several positions at the San Antonio River Authority, showing a successful climb in a relevant career field. This trend continues with some more recent grads, like the ones from 2018, who are engaging in research roles or working as optical microscopy technicians. It appears that graduates who pursue research or environmental science tend to have a smoother transition into careers that utilize their degree effectively.

However, not everyone’s path is so clear-cut. Some graduates have taken on roles that stray far from traditional chemistry-related jobs. For example, the 2019 graduate who started as a server has stayed in the food service industry instead of pursuing a career in science. Similarly, we see positions like staff accountant and ecommerce merchant pop up, which, while they may be good jobs, aren’t directly tied to their chemistry education. Over a period of 5 to 10 years, many of these individuals might still be navigating shifts in their careers, perhaps blending skills from their degree with their current jobs. Overall, while there are glowing examples of chemistry graduates finding fulfilling careers in their field, there are also noteworthy numbers who seem to have drifted into other professions, possibly indicating a need to explore diverse opportunities after graduation.

How hard is a Chemistry degree from Texas Tech University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry can be pretty challenging, not just at Texas Tech but in general. You’re going to dive deep into tough topics like organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical methods, which can be pretty intense, especially when you start dealing with complex concepts and lab work. The workload can be heavy, with lots of problem sets, lab reports, and exams that require a solid understanding of the material. If you’re already passionate about science and math, you might find it manageable, but expect to put in some serious study time and effort. So, while it’s not the easiest path out there, if you're dedicated and curious, it can definitely be rewarding!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemistry.

Do Chemistry graduates from Texas Tech University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Chemistry grads from Texas Tech University, it seems like most of them have found decent-paying jobs, especially those who specialized in fields related to science and research. For example, the Water Quality Scientist climbing up the ranks at the San Antonio River Authority likely saw a good salary progression, and the folks working in finance or specialized tech jobs, like at Fidelity Investments and Goldman Sachs, are probably raking it in. On the flip side, some positions like server roles or entry-level lab jobs may not pay as much, but they can be stepping stones to better opportunities. Overall, while there's some variation in pay, it seems like these grads have been able to make their degrees work for them and find positions that can lead to solid earnings!

What buzzwords do Chemistry graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Chemistry (this is across all Chemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Texas Tech University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Chemistry?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Chemistry (ordered by the average relevance score of their Chemistry graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of California, Santa Cruz 88 10
University of California, Davis 86 11
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 85 19
Texas A&M University 83 11
Georgia State University 82 11
Purdue University 80 11
Virginia Commonwealth University 80 15
The Ohio State University 79 13
University of Pittsburgh 78 12
The University of Texas at Austin 76 15
Penn State University 75 11
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 75 19
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 73 10
University of Wisconsin-Madison 70 12
University of Washington 67 15
Emory University 62 10
Florida International University 60 10
UC Santa Barbara 46 10
Texas Tech University 42 10