π£ 0 s EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Career Opportunities for Chemical Professionals This latest annual review of employment for chemists and chemical engineers, prepared by C&EN's Howard J. Sanders and David M. Kiefer, is in some major re spects in marked contrast to the one published last October. Last year's report stated, "The numbers con firm what has been evident for some time—the job situation for chemists has improved solidly." Although the 1974 review did refer to "recession fears," hardly anyone at that time expected the economy to take the sharp downturn that actually occurred or that the nation's overall unemployment rate would climb to 9.2%, as it did in May. According to ACS data, the unemployment rate among chemists increased from 1.4% in March 1974 to 1.6% in March 1975. The weakening in demand for chemists and chemical engineers is shown clearly in the results of a C&EN survey carried out this summer. Nearly a third of the employers responding say they will visit fewer cam puses in 1975 than in 1974 to recruit chemical profes sionals. Last year, practically none were cutting back on campus visits. Although many companies this year have been doing less recruiting of chemists and chemical engineers, they still are hiring chemical professionals. The C&EN survey of chemical employers showed that the re spondents enlarged their staffs of chemical profes sionals about 5% from mid-1974 to mid-1975 and plan to expand them 3% from mid-1975 to mid-1976. Despite the barrage of bad news during most of this year, there are signs that the employment situation for chemists and chemical engineers will improve in the months ahead. The recession appears to have bot tomed out, and many indicators point to a gradual upturn in the economy in 1976. As one encouraging sign, the federal government, which supplies about half of the nation's funding for R&D, will increase its R&D spending by a greater-than-usual percentage in fiscal 1976. More spending for R&D by private industry next year also should mean a brighter employment out look for chemical professionals.
Current Status The recession has led to a reduced demand for chemists, as reflected in the decreased campus recruiting activity of many employers and the greater numbers of ACS members who are unem ployed or subprofessionally employed Page 25
What Employers Want Employers are particularly interested in hiring organic, analytical, and polymer chemists. Increasing concern about alternate energy sources and pollution control is intensifying the demand for chemists to work in these areas Page 34
R&D Funding U.S. spending for R&D will be up this year, but not enough to compensate for inflation. Less generous support of R&D by the government has led to fewer job opportunities for chemical professionals Page 38
Salaries of Chemical Professionals The median salaries of experienced chemists and chemical engineers increased in 1975 at all degree levels. The median salaries of inexperienced chemical professionals rose for all but bachelordegree chemists Page 40
Career Planning A variety of aids are available to help both new and experienced chemical professionals in planning their careers. A directory provides the names and addresses of a wide range of chemical employers Page 42 Oct. 27, 1975 C&EN
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