Applied chemical technicians provide technical support and assistance working in industrial chemistry, chemical engineering, chemical and biochemical research and analysis, and chemical quality control. They usually work with a team of professionals, including chemists and engineers, to improve processes and formulations of chemicals and to ensure that identification, such as the ingredients printed on a shampoo bottle, are correct. An important an expanding area for chemical technicians is environmental monitoring which is in greater demand as concern about the environment grows.
As an applied chemical technician, you can find work in the chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. You can help in research and development, quality control laboratories and consulting engineering companies. You might also find yourself working in a wide variety of resource production, manufacturing, energy, health, education and government establishments. There are numerous employment opportunities in this discipline.
In this job you may be asked to set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses. You may operate and maintain laboratory equipment and prepare solutions and samples. You may also be asked to use computers to generate data and graphics for some of the experiments. You may have to keep records for analytical studies. In some cases you may be helping to develop and conduct programs of sampling and analysis in order to maintain quality standards. You may also help to design and make devices for use in experiments. In most cases, you are a salaried employee.
This job will appeal to you if you have an analytical mind, enjoy problem-solving, and are interested in chemistry. You have to concentrate, make close observations, and carefully note and analyze chemical details. Since the field is always changing to make way for more efficient practices, you have to keep learning and updating your knowledge.
One of the satisfying aspects of this job is a strong sense of achievement. You have an opportunity to participate in projects from start to finish. As a result, at the end, you are able to see what has been done and what you have contributed.