Chemistry majors here at The College of New Jersey certainly take a scientific approach to the job market. It turns out their hypothesis that obtaining a chemistry degree at TCNJ will secure them a solid future is absolutely correct: in the past four years, 100% of our chemistry graduates have entered the workforce or been accepted into postgraduate study immediately upon earning their diploma.
Other than great chemistry with prospective employers, what do our graduates have that earns them such a stellar rate? Part of it is geography, says Dr. David Hunt, but most is a credit to the strength of the chemistry program. “The level of rigor to which our graduates have been exposed means they are well-positioned to enter the job market,” explained Hunt, Chair of the Chemistry Department. Even better, chemistry majors are exposed to a variety of skill sets, which he says are desirable to employers in both traditional and non-traditional majors.
As for the geography reference, Hunt highlighted that TCNJ is situated is one of the densest technological Research and Development areas in the country. In recent years, our graduates have been hired by the likes of Midas Pharmaceuticals, International Flavors and Fragrances, Bristol Myers Squibb, PTC Therapeutics, and Replication Medical Corporation.
In terms of future educators, Hunt noted the dearth of science and mathematics teachers has created a demand for chemistry teachers nationwide. “An individual with a degree in chemistry and teaching credentials will pretty much have multiple job offers,” he said. Among the New Jersey high schools that have recently hired TCNJ graduates are Freehold Regional, Mahwah, Hunterdon Central Regional, North Hunterdon-Vorhees Regional, Nutley, and Cherry Hill.
“Our graduates compare to and compete quite favorably with those from other high profile colleges and universities,” Hunt went on to explain. “Nowhere is this more evident than in the acceptances to high profile graduate programs our graduates have achieved.” In the past five years, on average more than 50% of each graduating class has gone directly into postgraduate study. This could be graduate school, medical school, or law school at prestigious institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, UCLA, Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Notre Dame.
Whether it be an industrial or educational venture, it would appear TCNJ graduates are groomed for success.
“Success begets success,” Hunt concluded. “Employers who have hired our graduates like what they see and often call the Department asking if we have, ‘any more like so-and-so…’”
If these statistics are any indication, chances are we absolutely do.
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Graduate School Myths and Realities
By Jessica Corry