What can I do with a chemistry major?

Chemistry Alumni (reload page for a new list of chemists)

• 
  Olivia Harkins
  2021
  Double major: Chemistry and Art & Design
  Clinical Laboratory Technician at Lynxdx, a covid testing facility accredited by the College of American Pathologists

  My Alma Education helped me prepare for the “real world”. As a collegiate athlete at Alma, I was able to excel in learning how to balance work, life, and leisure. As I will be pursuing graduate school to become a Pathologist Assistant, Alma helped me create a notable resume through a liberal arts education, numerous work and volunteer opportunities, and fantastic professors whom I use as references. Both peers and superiors at Alma College help you achieve your full potential!

• 
  Trevor Quast
  2018
  Chemistry & Anthropology double major

  Senior Laboratory Technologist @ DuPont

  One of Alma College’s values is “Critical Thinking”. In R&D, critical thinking is an important skill to have because of its use in everyday life in the lab, whether it is trying to solve why a reaction is going wrong or “how can we make the process better, more efficient, etc”. My Alma education and hands-on laboratory work has helped me have the courage to give valuable input in conversations, meetings, and trials.
• 
  Spenser Congram
  2019
  Chemistry and Environmental Science

  Research Assistant II in the Biomass Analytics Facility of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center

  My Alma education gave me unique hands-on experience that has allowed me to excel in my current field. Their chemistry program allowed me to work directly with the same analytical instruments that I use today, providing me a leg up in the competitive STEM job market. Balancing the chemistry and environmental programs further offered me insight in applying the theoretical and technical chemistry knowledge to real-world problems. Lastly, my independent research with Dr. Strait gave me perhaps the most useful tools for success: real-world experience performing real-world research. This independent research allowed me to perform unique experiments, develop experimental methods, collaborate with experts from different institutions, and communicate my research to both the scientific community and the local community.

• 
  Mercedez Morgan
  2019
  Chemistry

  Chemical Lab Technician at Vertellus

  My Alma Education has helped me so much! When I graduated and was looking for a job the experiences as Alma helped to find out what field of chemistry I wanted to be involved in, more analytical and working with instruments directly, as well as helped me get the job! Alma provides a lot of growth and when I tell people where I graduated from they are always amazed!

• 
  Sasha Laykova
  2017
  Chemistry and Physiology (IPHS)

  Fourth year medical student at Michigan State University
• 
  Jennifer (Jen) Meloche
  2012
  Chemistry (math minor)
  Associate Professor of Science, Trine University
  My Alma education really helped me realize that graduate school and getting a Ph.D. was possible and necessary for my career path. I completed an undergraduate REU internship in the summer before my senior year and continued undergraduate research with Dr. Joel Dopke during my senior year. Those research experiences really helped prepare me for graduate school. Also, two classes in particular that were very impactful in my path were a spring term of advanced organic chemistry and the senior seminar class. Both of those classes really helped prepare me for graduate school, oral exams, and presentations. In addition to academics, I was able to play college tennis all four years at Alma and that taught me excellent time-management skills along with establishing a work-life balance. Overall, I received a very well-rounded education and really appreciated my time at Alma.
• 
  Scott May
  2020
  Chemistry (Mathematics minor)
  Lab Technician at Health Department of Northwest Michigan
• 
  Kirstyn Cotton
  2021
  Chemistry

  Attending Wayne State’s Law school

  My Alma education shaped my path to law school because my professors at Alma pushed me to study a major that would help me stand out when applying to law school.
• 
  Issac (Ike) Patton
  2020
  Chemistry

  Chemical Operator at American Chemical Solutions

  Alma helped show me how to be a well rounded person. As part of a fraternity, I was able to take away a sense of brotherhood and experiences I’ll never forget. The chemistry program taught me how to think better and communicate those thoughts well. Alma was an invaluable time of my life, and I’m incredibly thankful for it!

• 
  Naria Ford-Thompson
  2018
  Chemistry

  Forensic Scientist

  The education I received at Alma is directly related to where I am now. The direct exposure I had to different instrumentation and my independent research alongside Dr. Melissa Strait gave me an advantage when it came to applying for graduate programs and jobs. I was able to excel in my graduate program and graduate with honors because of the well-rounded education I received at Alma College, and I still utilize everything I’ve learned then to this day!