>>24020371no prob. If your a US citizen that obviously brings down one hell of a barrier. Still at a secure site they like hiring someone they know. Like I said biologics is booming, but most of the small molecule or cutting edge chemistry has moved to asia. I would check out internships at the ole' dinosaur firms or technician positions at any pharma company. Pharma is kind of gay when you lean its like 10% science, 30% hard labor and 60% paperwork.
Dont sleep on oil companies, refineries are still the motherships of the chemical industry. All else flows from them, even if biologics are nipping at their heels.
If you really run into a wall most of our operators are actually gruffy union types. Although we are seeing more young college types from our feeder technical college. So i would find a plant that interests you, check out the local technical schools and network.
In terms of enviorment I only ever liked R&D better, but they paid garbage. You can make bank at a real plant. Refineries are still some of the only private firms still offering pensions.
Good luck, theres a lot out there if you look
Cheers