How to Get a Chemical Sales Internship

Many trained chemists work as sales representatives and use their chemical training every day. Positions are available in chemical manufacturing companies, oil and petroleum companies, environmental management firms, water treatment facilities, and hazardous waste handling companies. Follow these steps if you are considering a chemical sales internship.

Instructions

1. Assess your personality. Are you extroverted? Do you enjoy meeting new people? Are you able to handle rejection? These are important traits for a chemical sales representative and are very different from the traits that are needed to be a good bench chemist.

2. Earn a degree in chemistry and take some business courses too. Courses in industrial sales will be most helpful.

3. Learn a foreign language. This is not necessary, but it will give you a competitive advantage for global selling.

4. Find out about internships at your college or university or on the American Chemistry Society website. You can also check the websites of companies that interest you; many of them list internship positions online.

5. Go to trade shows and meetings of professional societies in your field. Talk to people who are in the business; networking is often a great way to find out about available opportunities.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you decide to work in a laboratory, business courses will be helpful for your career, so it's a good idea to take some.

Resources

• Gather tips at the American Chemical Society website.
• Jobster advertises some chemical sales internships.