Want Ads, Job Skills, and Curriculum: A Survey of 1998 Chemistry Help-Wanted Ads

Kurt L. Headrick
Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada
J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (9), p 1281
DOI: 10.1021/ed078p1281
Publication Date (Web): September 1, 2001

Abstract

Employer surveys are useful checks on how well we are preparing students for the working world. Employer surveys are also useful because they put curriculum deficiencies into terms that are readily understood; they can thus be a catalyst for curriculum reform. This study classified 2035 chemistry jobs advertized in newspapers across the USA in the fall of 1998 according to job type, employment sector, industry, type of chemistry principally involved, and academic background and experience desired. Job ads were also searched for keywords denoting a broad range of instrumentation and techniques, personality traits, and general work skills and experience. The total of 7872 keywords, an average of 3.9 per job, indicates that employers are looking for more than just a B.S. in chemistry.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Chemical Education Research

Keywords (Subject):

Learning Theories
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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