First, some facts. Of the Chemistry graduates from University of Pittsburgh 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Chemistry graduates from University of Pittsburgh have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 58% 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:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONClinical DNA Sequencing ScientistPerkinElmer Genomics Mar 2015 - May 2020 Next Generation Sequencing Research Associate Inari May 2020 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at jobs held by graduates from the University of Pittsburgh who majored in Chemistry, it’s clear that a good number of them have found their way into positions that are very relevant to their degree. A significant number have taken roles in pharmacy, quality assurance, and research settings, particularly in companies that focus on chemicals or pharmaceuticals. For instance, many graduates started as Pharmacy Interns or moved into positions as Pharmacists, which definitely link back to their chemistry education by requiring an understanding of chemical interactions, medications, and safety regulations. Roles like Research Scientist in Medicinal Chemistry and various chemist positions directly apply the scientific skills learned in school, making these jobs highly relevant to Chemistry. Graduates in this field seem to be thriving in roles that involve hands-on chemistry applications, especially in pharmaceuticals and product development.
On the flip side, it’s also notable that some graduates have taken paths that don’t strongly involve chemistry. For instance, positions in quality assurance or management roles at retail companies often focus more on operational aspects and less on chemistry knowledge. There are cases where graduates ended up in roles like Dance Instructors or Caregiver Assistants that don’t require any chemistry skills at all. So, while a good chunk of these jobs is related to the field, it’s evident that not every graduate sticks to strictly “chemistry-related” positions, and they’re finding diverse opportunities in other sectors too. Ultimately, while many leverage their chemistry backgrounds effectively, others choose paths where their degree may not be the primary focus.
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 University of Pittsburgh):
The career trajectories of University of Pittsburgh chemistry graduates show a mix of paths, but many seem to find their footing in fields closely related to chemistry. For their first jobs, quite a few graduates step into roles that capitalize on their scientific training, such as pharmacy internships or QA positions in large corporations, which suggests that they are often aiming to apply their knowledge in practical, relevant ways right after graduation. We see strong roles in healthcare, research, and quality assurance early in their careers, indicating that graduates are generally utilizing their chemistry background well and finding opportunities that align with their education.
Looking five to ten years later, many graduates still stay in the scientific fields. For instance, graduates from earlier years have evolved into more senior roles within their companies, like moving from QA Specialist to QA Manager, or transitioning from research roles into managerial positions in established firms. Others branch out into education or specialized technical roles, such as industrial hygienists or clinical laboratory technicians. However, there’s also a notable presence of graduates pursuing seemingly unrelated paths, like dance instruction, which might suggest that while many are succeeding in chemistry-related careers, some are exploring alternative interests. Overall, it appears that a significant number of these graduates have utilized their education effectively in their careers, though certainly not all have remained strictly within the field of chemistry.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry can be quite challenging, and this is pretty much true whether you’re at the University of Pittsburgh or elsewhere. You’ll be diving into complex subjects like organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, and the lab work can get pretty intense. There’s a lot of memorization involved, plus you’ll need to develop good problem-solving skills to tackle the tougher concepts. Some students find it tougher than other science fields because of the heavy workload and the need for precision in both coursework and experiments. Overall, it’s not considered an "easy" degree, so definitely be prepared to put in the effort if you decide to go for it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemistry.
Based on what we've seen from these University of Pittsburgh Chemistry grads, it looks like some of them are doing pretty well financially, while others might still be figuring things out. The folks who graduated earlier, like in 2010 and 2011, seem to have climbed the career ladder nicely, especially in pharmacy and quality assurance roles, which usually come with decent salaries. Those in research positions, like the ones from 2012, are also likely making good money, especially at big companies like Procter & Gamble. However, some recent grads, like the ones from 2020, are still starting out in roles that might not pay as high, like research assistants and dance instructors. Overall, if they continue in solid fields like pharmaceuticals or research, their earnings should improve over time, but it really varies across different jobs and experiences!
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 University of Pittsburgh). This may or may not be useful:
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 |