A CAREER FOR A GIRL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 20 October 1919, Page 2

A CAREER FOR A GIRL

ANALYTICAL CHEMIST. One of the most momentous decisions which a girl has to make is in the choice of a career. She lie.s ti> feel/very certain that th« profession which she decides to follow will appeal to her, for the secret of success lies in the interest and enthusiasm which she is able to put into her work.

The girl who .is keen, intelligent, and ambitious might well consider the career of an analytical chemist. To begin with there are not many women wlio li:» taken up this profession, although ..us portals ore open to them, and they can become first students, then associates, and in duo course Fellows of tihe Insti-tnte-of CJiemistry. Thi.j institution was established ill 1877, and to be a member of it supplies the hall mark of competency to practice. No one can becomo a student until she is at least 17 years of use, has passed a preliminary examination, and can prove that she is -working with the object.of qualifying far.tihe practice of professional chemistry. A student is eligible to partake, of all . the privileges'" the institute affords, but has no power to vote on its constitution and management. .. The training for the associatwhip extends over at least .four years, and an associate mivy.be admitted to the fellow, ship by examination after three years have elapsed.,

It is no-use-for a gi.rl to - consoler the career of an analytical' chemist unless she ha v s been particularly well 'educated, and although' a college, degree is not compulsory it has come to bo almost sine qua non. The cost of training varies according to tilt college or institute attended, lint it works.out roughly at .£35.t0 <£-10 a year, without-maintenance. t The Sale of Food and,. Drugs Act. which becai;io law in 1875, gave an impetus to this profession, and thwe aro often openings as assistants to public analysts to be filled, and there is no reason why women themselves should not in time hold t'.hesp enviable ■ lu'witioiis. And now that chemistv is applied to legal investigations, public health, adulteration of food, agriculture,' arts, and manufactures, almost all bis firms employ analysts both for testing and research work. The minimum earning capacity of an analytical chemist sh'iuid not be less, blian ,£301) a i'ear, while even assistants can earn a.> much as «£SOO and .£9OO a year. Women can command the .same.salaries a.? men.

There is at least ono woman, who is working on her own as e.n analytical chemist and undertaking the full responsibility; she is. making an artificial manure. This examplb proves there is. no reason why women should not make a success of this career. But—a woid of warning—the supply of analytical chemists at present exceeds the deii.abd, and although the latter is always growing, unless ft girl loejs competent to woj'k hor way to tilt, top—where- there is always room—she would he well advised to map oiu her lile along scnrio other lines.— T.II. C., in the "Daily Mail."

Miss lima (M 1 . Curlctt left by the iMnlieno to npend a holiday with her sinter, Mrs. Ernest 11. Joyce, inSydnoy,