Is A Chemistry Degree Any Good?

Dinkie

Hi,

Just to let you know that there are other options other then QC/QC jobs out there!

• Rather then do a Phd, you could do a Masters / Postgrad dip in a Business area,which is always good or one in Six Sigma
• There is the PhD and then lecturing/research
• You could go into pharmaceuticals research
• Clinical Trials often look for co-ordinators, etc
• Science teaching
• Medical Diagnostics - production/QA/Research (lots of jobs)
• Cosmetics - marketing, research, QC, (may have to go to uk for this)
• Application Specialist for instrumentation/pharmaceuticals

These are just off the top of my head... I'm sure there are loads more.

A primary degree is just to prove your capable - there is nothing to stop you doing what ever you want once the degree is obtained....

I did get one very good piece of advice from someone - its very difficult to get out of a lab, once you start in one. The advice being that once in a lab, it can be difficult to get promotion out of it (more people applying, lack of required experience, etc).

I have a science degree, but although I've worked in science since leaving college, have never worked in a lab.

Limerickmob

HI,

I wrote my post based on the fact that the OP was 25 and in 2nd year of college, the OP stated I wouldnt do PhD, and I was being realistic and honest in my answer that the majority of chem/biochem graduates go on to work in Industry.. whether it be in QC QA whatever.. The minority on the other hand go on to do further studies then perhaps research/ lecturing!! I think though that most students are so caught up in what money they will earn that the love of their field goes down the drain.. Einstein once was asked about his wages, I'm not sure of the actual quote but he said Ya I do get paid but I have never checked it. He never thought of money when he was doing his work.. Unfortunately the world has turned money hungry... As long as I have a roof over my head and a loving family I dont really care either!! My dream is to cure some sort of cancer, not to own a mansion! I hope yours is too!

Regards

Dinkie

Limerickmob wrote: »

HI,

I wrote my post based on the fact that the OP was 25 and in 2nd year of college, the OP stated I wouldnt do PhD, and I was being realistic and honest in my answer that the majority of chem/biochem graduates go on to work in Industry.. whether it be in QC QA whatever.. The minority on the other hand go on to do further studies then perhaps research/ lecturing!! I think though that most students are so caught up in what money they will earn that the love of their field goes down the drain.. Einstein once was asked about his wages, I'm not sure of the actual quote but he said Ya I do get paid but I have never checked it. He never thought of money when he was doing his work.. Unfortunately the world has turned money hungry... As long as I have a roof over my head and a loving family I dont really care either!! My dream is to cure some sort of cancer, not to own a mansion! I hope yours is too!

I'm assuming that you are meaning my post seeing as you posted just before and after my post:o

I'm not knocking QC/QA/Research. I realise its important - but IMO its not for everyone.

I work mostly in the biochemistry area (have a chemistry background) and I absolutely love my job... and while my dream isn't to cure cancer, I am in close to what I would call my dream job... I don't work in a lab though, nor do I make a lot of money. I could make more, but I love my job the way it is.

A lot of people go on to QC/RA/Research and love it... but I posted because a lot of people do science and then get to the end of the degree not knowing what they can do with it. And not everyone wants to work in a lab. All the career examples raised above involve using a science degree to some extent. I finished my degree and didn't know what I could really do with it.

Its one area I feel universities let down their students... the lack of career guidance... and I feel that it is an important area.

Sorry if I offended you Limerickmob

Limerickmob

Haha, I'm not offended, It'd take much more than that to offend me!! I was only defending the fact that many of the graduates from chem/biochem often take the first thing (job or otherwise) offered to them after college as they may be worried if there are other jobs available at the time etc..

And.. In this current recession climate I can imagine there will be a wealth of students just willing to sink their teeth into any opportunity that may come their way in terms of employment!

I am only on Co-Op at the moment but already i can see the difference in range of opportunity and employment.. I am in a QC/Analytical Chemists role in a very well established bio/pharma ortho company and I couldnt see myself do this for the next 20 years... I think I need to be in research and doing something TBH that will help someone somewhere someday and not just to "meet budget forecast for the third quart".... I dont like the road science has taken in terms of making lots of money exploiting great scientific breakthroughs to make some sort of profit! Makes me sick to my stomach!! But Im not gonna change that! (Im in work at the moment writing this message with a smile on my face!!! The company have paid me to write to you )

Regards..