The Business of Chemistry: Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Information Literacy

ABSTRACT

Career chemists, or any Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) professional, should have a good understanding of how their industry operates. By collaborating on a “career focused” approach to information literacy, business and science librarians are uniquely situated to address this challenge. Business information resources can provide perspectives on industry trends and growth and provide tools for decision-making at many phases of a chemist’s career. Using examples from the field of chemistry, this article highlights a few basic business information resources and competencies that can be included in an interdisciplinary approach to teaching information competency skills – without turning the chemists into MBA candidates. Business and science librarians are encouraged to adapt this approach for developing chemistry class modules, online tutorials, or professional continuing education seminars.

KEYWORDS:

• chemistry careers
• business information literacy
• industry analysis
• interdisciplinary instruction