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6 | CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE 7 | CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE

Chemist

SALARY: EXPERIENCE: DEBRA WONG
$40,000 - $130,000 Math and science, but chemistry is preferred. › Department of Agriculture
Laboratory Services

WHAT DO THEY DO?
Debra is a lead chemist, running inorganic and organic tests.
Her areas of expertise include many laboratory instruments for
“ FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB organics, inorganics and metals, to analyze foods and agricultural

products for pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and
other special testing. As a lead chemist, Debra is responsible for
The laboratory work has given
determining the methods to use, which means staying current with
me enthusiasm, which has kept
technical advances in order to stay compliant with certifications. In
up over the years!
collaboration with the lab manager and fellow chemists, she helps
ADVICE choose the test method best suited to the client’s needs.
Find out if laboratory work
suits you. Most laboratory work
can be routine; not all are
research-type labs.

Began working for the
“
Oregon Department of
Agriculture
Moved to a
high-tech
company
making
Obtained a chemistry silicon wafers.
Started out as a Lab Technician degree while working for a Lived in
for a fish hatchery paper company Germany and
Earned a degree Singapore
in biology

After seven years, started as a
Worked for a chemical company Chemical Analyst and became
that specialized in making water an Analytical Chemist at James
treatment products. River Paper Company