What Do Chemistry Graduates Do? 2011: Part 3

As discussed, the chemistry graduate unemployment rate of 9.5% is above the average of all subjects (8.5%), but this is close to the median. Of the sciences, this is lower than physics and biology, but higher than environmental studies. IT & computing and media studies have unemployment rates significantly above average (>14%), while law and sports science have the lowest (<7%).

The spread of figures for those entering retail/catering/waiting/bar staff occupations as a proportion of those entering employment is much wider. The six lowest rates are in the engineering and financial subjects, with mechanical engineering down at 6.5%. Conversely, art-based subject have the highest rates, topped by media studies at 28.2%. At 15.5%, chemistry is situated below the median – higher than physics, but lower than biology and environmental studies. There are surely parallels to be drawn between the chart below and the relative introvert/extrovert levels of the different scientific groups – indeed, all the subjects – but that’s one for the sociologists to look into.

One final word on the unemployment statistics – the graph below shows the unemployment rate for all subjects over a 5-year period. This indicates that: 1) In general, the position of subjects in the ranking is similar each year; 2) Unemployment rates jumped between 2007 and 2008, and have not significantly changed in the two years since; 3) Of all the subjects, those related to infrastructure have been hit the worst by the recession.

Chemistry continues to hold on to the middle ground – while it was one of only five subject to have a higher unemployment rate in 2010 compared to 2009, this is perhaps not as significant as it sounds. And at least it’s not in the realm of civil engineering, media studies or IT & computing.

For those entering graduate employment, one big question is “How much will I be paid?”. The way salary data is collected by HESA is currently changing, which makes past comparisons more complex but will provide more detailed data in the future. The chart below illustrates the average salary ranges for some jobs, professions and employment sectors highlighted in the Prospects report.

The averages are collated by geographical location, so the minimum average for chemistry graduates is £16.8k (E Midlands), and the maximum average is £25.1k (London). This is slightly less than the science average of £17.9k to £25.6k shown above. Compared to their peers, the chemist salary figures are ~8% less than physicists, but ~19% more than biologists. In 2009 the overall average graduate chemist salary was £18.9k.

The Prospects data analysers suggest that average salaries across the subjects are little changed on the previous year’s figures. This is supported by research from the High Fliers group, published in “The Graduate Markets in 2011” report. They survey the Times Top 100 graduate employers to explore recruitment trends, and also collect graduate starting salary information. While the companies on this list are likely to pay higher salaries, it provides an interesting comparison to the Prospects data. Example scientific companies included in the survey were AZ, GSK, BP, P&G and Unilever.

The overall average graduate starting salary in 2011 - £29k - was unchanged on 2010, although this did follow inflation-busting increases of 4%, 6% and 7.4% in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The chemical and pharmaceutical industry lies just below the median salary of the sectors surveyed, at £26.5k; while oil and energy was third highest, at £32k. As a comparison, investment banking and law offer average starting salaries of £42k and £38k respectively; while the public sector and retail offer only £22k and £24k.

So, in answer to the question “what do chemistry graduates do?” the answer is: “Much the same as last year.” Over a third chose to go on to further study, over two-fifths entered employment, and fewer than 1 in 10 remained unemployed after 6 months. The rate of unemployment and those entering non-professional occupations continued to increased, but both figures are close to the median of all subjects. While graduates weren’t being paid much more than in 2009, the chemists among them were earning slightly better than average – but then, most people probably don’t go into science for the money.

What Do Chemistry Graduates Do? 2011: Part 2

Overall, the destination of chemistry graduates that had entered employment 6 months after graduation is little changed on Prospects' 2009 figures

70% entered professional employment, and the second most popular employment sector was scientific research, at 17.9%. As can be expected, this is vastly greater than the all-subject average (0.8%), and slightly higher than last year (17.1%) - but it remains low compared to the 23-24% level sustained in 2006-2008.

The employment trends of chemistry graduates generally reflect those of the whole year group.

The proportion entering the business and financial sector has increased, and is higher than the average (9.7% compared to 7.5%). This correlates with a perceived recovery in the financial sector, and perhaps a move by more chemists into the traditionally popular career choice of accountancy. This sector also includes an 82% explosion in the number of graduates becoming personnel and recruitment consultants/advisors, which the Prospects report confirms is “the occupation with the largest gain in numbers on last year’s figures.” The science job boards appear to back up this statement, with recruitment consultant roles abundant on their pages.

The number of chemistry graduates entering the commercial, industrial and public sector decreased, and are lower than the average (7% compared to 8.8%). This drop was anticipated given the government cuts to the armed forces and civil service, but remains higher than may perhaps be expected.

The marketing, sales and advertising sector has attracted a higher number of chemistry graduates for the fourth successive year (4.2%), although this is lower than the average (5.1%). This may include roles such as procurement and sales (eg, consumables, chemicals, services) that may be relevant to scientists.

Two other trends for professional employment are a jump in the proportion of chemists entering the engineering sector (from 2.3 to 4.4%), and a continued decline in those going into education (down to 3.1%). Some recruiters in the engineering sector would include the oil and gas companies, speciality chemical companies, the food processing industry and contract manufacturing organisations.

For those entering non-professional occupations, clerical and secretarial employment dropped from a 4-year average of 6.4% to 4.5% - another area impacted by civil service cuts.

A poignant figure in this section of the report is the proportion of chemists entering retail, catering, waiting and bar jobs. In 2009, this leapt from 8.1 to 13.4%; and in 2010 it continued to grow, to 15.5%. At greater than one in seven chemistry graduates, this is higher than the all-subject average (13.8%).

It was suggested last year that this sector may be an indicator of hidden unemployment. To qualify this, the representative occupations listed by the Prospects report are: chefs, cooks, waiters, waitresses, bar staff, sales assistants and check-out operators. Unless a large number of chemists have been inspired by Heston Blumenthal and the growth in lab-based culinary technology, it’s unlikely that such a large number would suddenly choose to enter the sector in 2009 and 2010. That is not to say that these are not proper or useful jobs – but that it is more likely an indicator of the slow job market that many graduates are working in this area 6 months after graduating.

Next: A closer look at the unemployment figures and graduate starting salaries