Yeah becomming a 'Chemist' in the litteral sense of the word would make a nice easy step onto the ladder, local pharmacies or 'Boots' would take work experience staff I'm sure.
My personal thought is that it might be a little dul, if i were looking to get into chemistry i'd have to find something more exciting that you can throw yourself into and get excited about.
If you're thinking about pharasuticals then i think you should find a leading firm that are really looking to develope somthing new, and not just making 'eye drops' or 'laxativs' or somthing ... get on the cancer research wagon and make a name for yourself.
I think its very important to get excited about what you do, otherwise everyday when you leave the house you'll die a little bit on the inside.
If you can find somthing than when someone asks 'What do you do for a living' you can tell them with a passion and a smile on your face then i think you've hit the jack pot.
Shame its not Physics you're interested in, otherwise you could be a rocket scientist or somthing! ... awsome!
Rob