Analytical Chemistry Certificate Boosts Career Opportunities for Recent Alumni

Analytical Chemistry Certificate Boosts Career Opportunities for Recent Alumni

Analytical chemists utilize advanced methods and instruments to understand the composition of materials: What is it? And how much of it is there?

With its emphasis on accurate and precise measurements, the subdiscipline enjoys applications in scientific fields ranging from disease diagnosis to food safety, from forensic science to product development.

Recent University of Toledo alumni have been exploring several of these applications since earning an analytical chemistry certificate en route to an undergraduate degree in chemistry or biochemistry. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry introduced the stackable credential in 2023, aiming to support students with additional focused training in the theory and practical laboratory skills involving analytical methodology.

"The success students are having to quickly obtain employment in the chemical industry strongly supports the value of the certificate," said Dr. Jon Kirchhoff, who developed the certificate program as a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Analytical skills will always be in high demand."

The 12-credit hour program incorporates classroom and laboratory courses in analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis as well as separation methods, electrochemistry or mass spectrometry. It can be completed with numerous undergraduate programs including biochemistry, bioengineering, chemistry and chemical engineering.

Paige Wlodkowski was among the first to complete the certificate program ahead of her graduation with a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 2024. She credits it with positively differentiating her resume as she interviewed for full-time jobs in the field.

"It was something that every employer I interviewed with asked about, and it ultimately contributed to me being chosen over other candidates for my current position," said Wlodkowski, now an analytical chemist at American Glass Research in Maumee. "It helped to show that I took particular interest in analytical chemistry and showed that I completed advanced coursework to achieve deeper understanding of the field."

Ximena Fernandez-Paucar described a similar interview experience.

Fernandez-Paucar, who graduated with the same degree as Wlodkowski in 2024, also credits the certificate program with positioning her for success and advancement in her role as a gas chromatography analyst specializing in the environmental analysis of water and solid samples at Eurofins Scientific in Cleveland.

"I was able to learn my job pretty quickly because I was already familiar with the instrumentation we used in lab classes I had to take to earn the certificate," she said. "It also allowed me to cross train in different departments because I had a good foundation with the instruments we use. I earned a raise in less than a year, which I think was a result of the analytical background I received at UToledo."

Other undergraduate alumni with the analytical chemistry certificate include Mary Eby, who graduated with a chemistry degree and now works as a project chemist at American Colors, Inc. in Sandusky; Michael Ferguson, who graduated with a biochemistry degree and now works as an R&D Chemist at Betco Corporation in Bowling Green; and Alex Dumminger, who graduated with a biochemistry degree and now works as a laboratory technician at the Canberra Corporation in Sylvania.

Wlodkowski, Fernandez-Paucar and Eby also took advantage of research opportunities with analytical chemistry faculty members during their undergraduate studies.

"Undergraduate research projects are great experiences for students to apply the knowledge from their coursework. Not only did they expand their analytical knowledge, but they also obtained critical thinking skills to investigate any research question," Kirchhoff said. "We are very proud of the success that all the first graduates with the certificate in analytical chemistry have realized."