Which jobs require high school chemistry knowledge?

I'm a junior in high school taking chemistry and really enjoy it. I’m curious about what kinds of careers require a good understanding of chemistry and how I might pursue one of those paths.

There are many careers that require a strong understanding of chemistry, ranging from healthcare and engineering to environmental sciences and research.

In healthcare, many professions require chemistry knowledge. For instance, pharmacists use chemistry to understand how drugs interact with the body and with other medications. In addition, physicians and nurses often need to understand biochemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry for drug administration and patient monitoring.

If you're interested in engineering, chemical engineers use chemistry principles to design and develop new materials and processes. Also, biomedical engineers often need a strong foundation in biochemistry to design medical devices or create procedures for medical diagnostics.

In the environmental sector, environmental scientists and geologists often use chemistry to analyze soil and water samples, understand contamination issues, and develop remediation strategies.

Research scientists in biology, physics, materials science, and various other fields also use chemistry in their work, whether they're designing new materials, studying reactions in the body, researching new energy sources, or investigating how matter behaves in different conditions.

As for how to pursue these careers, they typically require a bachelor's degree in a related field as a minimum. For many, pursuing graduate studies such as a Master's degree, PhD, or professional school (medical school, pharmacy school) is often necessary. In high school, continuing to take advanced science courses including advanced placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) chemistry will help you build a solid foundation.

You might also consider participating in science-related extracurriculars such as science olympiads, or seeking out internships or lab work that can expose you to the practical side of chemistry. This can be advantageous when applying to college science programs and will give you a clearer picture of what a career in the field might look like.

It sounds like you have a passion for chemistry, and there's definitely a wide array of paths you can take with that interest. Consider exploring these professions more and possibly reaching out to professionals in those fields for informational interviews to have a more personal understanding of what they do.