Frank has two questions to answer: What opportunities are available to him as a chemist? How do his personality and abilities match with these opportunities?

In thinking about the profession of chemistry, he can begin his search with the career counselor in his college, who will have advice about graduate study and potential careers. He should also get in touch with the American Chemical Society (which has local sections) and ask for useful materials on career planning. He should ask both sources for names of professionals whom he might talk to. He should watch for local disciplinary meetings and seek out people there.

To understand his own personal needs better, Frank should review his personal life and experience. He might make a list of his accomplishments and weigh them against his shortcomings. What can such a list tell him about the employment that he is best suited to? His counseling office will probably offer a personality or aptitude test. Although the results of the test might be helpful, he might find even more benefit from just thinking about the questions asked on the test.

Frank should attempt an evaluation of who he is and what he wants. Does he thrive on challenge, competition, and problem-solving? If so, he might prefer a position in which initiative is prized. Does he place high value on security, benefits, and long-term security? If so, he might do well in a less-challenging but more-stable position. The better he knows himself, the sounder will be his decision.