OCCUPATION: RESEARCH CHEMISTName: Ginette L. ArtsenCompany: Beckman...

OCCUPATION: RESEARCH CHEMIST

Name: Ginette L. Artsen

Company: Beckman Instruments Inc.

Thumbs up: “My division at Beckman Instruments is developing the immunochemistry for diagnostic systems. I like the development process, which is researching all aspects of drugs and analytes and understanding the clinical significance of these drugs and analytes to our bodies. I also like knowing that I am partly responsible for the accuracy of the results that patients depend on. I am also responsible for training some of the new employees, and it’s always a pleasure to see the light bulb go on.”

Thumbs down: “At my level, I’m not privy to all the information that goes into the decision-making for the introduction of new chemistries. I’d like to have a better understanding how such decisions are made. Sometimes it doesn’t filter down to our level. I’m a scientist and I’m naturally curious.”

Next step: “I’d like to pursue a Ph.D. My long-range goal is to be the director of an analytical lab after receiving my doctorate. On a personal level, I’d like to be a mentor to young, future scientists--especially African-Americans. In my spare time, I tutor high school students in chemistry and math and sometimes physics.”

Advice: “Youngsters should definitely pursue biomedical fields, especially immunochemistry. It’s en exciting field, utilizing many of the cutting-edge technologies.”

l,3.5Salary range: In Orange County, chemists earn between $15,000 and $75,000 annually.

Educational and training requirements: A bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry is usually the minimum requirement, though some companies with more routine analysis hire chemical technicians with a two-year degree. Graduate training is essential, however, for many positions in research and college teaching. High school students contemplating a career as a chemist should follow a college preparatory plan that includes algebra, geometry, trigonometry, chemistry and physics.

Size of work force: Small. In Orange County, about 900 people, or 0.07% of the labor force, work as chemists.

Expected demand: Slow growth is expected for the profession in general through the 1990s, but the demand for chemists is improving, as are salaries. Growth in Orange County is slightly better because of the influx of research and development and biotechnology companies.

Job description: Chemists investigate the properties and composition of matter as well as the laws that govern the combination of elements and try to put into practical use new knowledge about substances. There are three basic categories of chemists: Basic research, research and development, and production and inspection.

For more information: American Assn. for Clinical Chemistry in Washington at (202) 857-0717 or (800) 892-1400 or the American Chemical Society at (202) 872-6168.

Researched by DALLAS M. JACKSON / Los Angeles Times