Why study Chemistry at Lyon?

There are many fine colleges and universities in the country where one can learn chemistry. Why study at Lyon? First, we offer a very solid program in the Chemistry Department that gives you the opportunity to learn all of the main areas of chemistry; analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. We also encourage you to round out your scientific training with appropriate courses in math, physics, biology and computer science. You can graduate from Lyon with an excellent technical background through the wise selection of courses.
Ben Gilbert

But, being a good chemist and a good scientist is more than just technical competence. Employers and lab directors want scientists with excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to interact with people in a positive and productive fashion. To succeed in the "real world," one needs an understanding of people,which does not come strictly from taking technical science courses. This is the uniqueness of the Lyon experience. The science curriculum is nestled within a fundamental liberal arts education. Your chemistry degree will include courses exploring fields of study of a non-scientific nature. Our graduates often tell us that taking "all those other courses in the humanities and social sciences" seemed at bit unrelated to their career aspirations at the time, but later became crucial in their ability to function in the job world. It is the understanding of people—of humans—that makes the study of these other areas so useful.

In the Chemistry Department, we give students ample opportunity to develop and practice their communication skills. Many courses involve writing long lab reports—a difficult challenge early on but one well worth learning. The careful grading and feedback associated with these papers prepares you well for future endeavors. Similarly, there are several opportunities to practice your speaking skills, including the Senior Seminar course.

The strength of the technical and scientific skills and knowledge that you gain at Lyon along with the expanse of other important skills makes you very, very marketable when you graduate. You can check out the careers page to see the range of options that you'll face upon graduation. The problem will not be getting a job, the "problem" will be deciding which, of many, options to pursue.
Kevin Flinn
From the January 1996 ACS Department of Career Services Bulletin:
The following science areas are expected to grow: (Listed alphabetically)

biotechnology
environment
catalysis
materials sciences
communication and computer technology
energy

Chemists will be hired in the areas of:

environmental services and environmentally-benign products
analytical development and services
custom or niche products and services
quality control

Employers are looking for chemists who have:

mastery of chemistry
breadth of scientific knowledge
problem solving ability
flexibility
initiative and follow-through
business orientation
leadership skills
practical experience
interpersonal skills
communication skills
computer literacity

plus:

can collaborate across disciplines
can adapt quickly under changing conditions
work well in teams and demonstrate leadership
can work with people whose languages and cultures are different from their own.

"Job candidates can help their chances in the market by developing abilities in addition to a mastery of chemistry." (This is what we do well at Lyon!)