Chemical technicians are professionals who help to create products under the supervision of chemists and chemical engineers. These individuals can work in manufacturing plants or in research laboratories and often focus on issues such as product quality assurance. They must have solid communication skills and be willing to work carefully with toxic chemicals. To become a chemical technician, an individual should pursue some college training and obtain practical field experience.
A person who wishes to become a chemical technician must complete at least two years of college training to be successful in this industry. You can complete a two-year associate degree program or a four-year bachelor's degree program in the chemical technology or applied science fields. A four-year degree will make you more marketable to employers. To get into a chemical technician training program, you have to submit your high school diploma or the equivalent certification. Colleges also require you to provide a copy of your transcript, as well as to complete their admissions applications. Some schools want you to pass a math and science placement exam before enrolling as well.
If you want to become a chemical technician, you must be comfortable with taking a wide variety of science courses. For instance, you need to study organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physics. You should also learn specialized subjects, including electrophoresis, a molecular biology concept that deals with the movement of charged particles. In addition, a microbiology course will increase your knowledge of microorganisms, while a class on spectroscopy will teach you about light from an astronomer’s viewpoint.
Gaining a strong understanding of many types of industry tools and completing several math classes are other requirements for you to become a chemical technician. You should practice using electrochemical and chromatographic tools, which you will use to separate mixtures. Getting experience in the laboratory will prepare you for real-world situations and make you stand out to hiring companies. Taking math courses such as calculus, algebra, and trigonometry additionally can help you to hone your problem-solving skills in this field.
An important part of striving to become a chemical technician is completing a hands-on field training opportunity such as an internship. You can do this by finding a college, government agency, or private company that will give you a chance to develop industrial chemicals, drugs, and agricultural items. Taking advantage of the opportunity to analyze situations using a scientific approach and to work in a team environment while doing your internship prepares you for many chemical technician duties.
