I am an educated chemist who concluded early on that it would be more rewarding (read that as $$) in the fields of sales (GASP!!) and marketing (DOUBLE GASP!!!!!) with the hope that there would be more value in having someone that could talk the techie lingo as well as understand the commercial aspect of industry as well.
For a humble viewpoint of how not to build a career, i give you mine:
Graduate (1974) - no jobs (same as now...)
bake Pizza's for 6 months
Gain related employment as a bench chemist at an adhesives company. enjoy the work, but lack vision of where it's going (which was correct). Work 3 years.
Take job as a Development Engineer at a "high tech" paper company making industrial niches products. Surprisingly, greatly satisfying! Much chemistry, high activity.
Probably talk too much - promoted into sales engineer, back to technical director, then sales manager, then director sales & Marketing. I note that while titles change, job function doesn't really change that much. Work there 15 years...
Realize paper industry is a study in changing ownerships (like much basic industry), left to be Vp Sales & Marketing at struggling paper company trying to be high tech. Didn't work out (neither did the company - it closed). Out of work 2 months.
Take Market Manager job to feed the family. Great job - low salary. Stay 2 years.
Take Director of marketing job at competitor of first paper company. Find that Titles still lie. Basically find technical reasons why our products work and leverage the commercial side with strong eye on product management & costs. Promoted to VP Marketing & Technology which closes the loop. Now marketing can define technical directions in my head while I have a drink at the bar. However, I must warn, bi-polar tendancies do develop... Stong side affect is 15 hour days become the norm with many Saturdays. Still there after 15 years... still bi-polar.
What to make of this? Look at your skill set and opportunties as they may present themselves. Don't view yourself as "just a chemist" - look at your personality and what you like and what you don't like. There are hundreds / thousands of opportunites for technically adept people on the commercial side.
Oh, and I forgot... BE FLEXIBLE! Life comes at you fast.