Readers Respond: Working as a Chemist

1. What type of chemist are you?
2. What do you do as a chemist?
3. What is the best/worst part of your job?
4. What training did you need? Was it easy/difficult to find a job as a chemist?
5. Are you happy being a chemist? Why?
6. What advice would you give someone interested in chemist?

chemistry sucks

Don't major in chemistry! Got a BS in biochem magna cum laude. Got a PhD in synthesis and my career ended there. I would never recommend it to anyone. Don't listen to your professors. They've never tried working outside of academia. They listen to the BS from the ACS. The unemployment rate for chemists is very high and no matter how smart you are it really has a low probability of paying off.

—Guest letdownphd

This is heart sinking

I guess I may be the only one on here with a positive experience. I am retired military (USAF) I served as a nurse, and it was hell. I have always been interested in the chemical sciences and persued a chem degree while I was still serving. Being a chemist leaves alot to the imagination IF that is what you truly want to do. (not because it sounds cool) you have to be self sufficient, to make your way. After I retired I wanted nothing to do with nursing; if you think chemistry is bad being a nurse let alone a military nurse was equivalent of being dead, I.E NO life, 14-15 hr shifts, deployments, all while working with a very pretentious and evil micro managing lieutenant colonel. Anyway I got in on a alternative fuels start up company and I LOVE my job. There are R&D jobs for chemist that pay, and allow creative freedom, it's a matter of getting off your butts and NOT complaining. Chem like most sciences require critical thinking, use your heads like you were trained.

—Guest BSN/Chemist

very upseted

going through this site i was very upseted because all of are discoraging for taken chemistry as a career. I have a lot to ask to whom are comented in it,but there is a plenty of opportunities are seen when we are checking through the sites

—Guest nit

common problem

I saw several posts where the "jobs don't match my preferences". I think that may be true for a lot of people entering a career, but you still take that first, possibly "not so great" job and move on to better things. You DON'T sit on your butt expecting your dream job to come to you.

—Guest Guest Kathryn

jobs in australia

i m planning to ly to Australia for job, hold a Ph. din organic chemistry , can anybody guide me for opportunities available over there

—Rajeshkenny

What else?

I cannot find a job in chemistry!! They say I have too many gaps but I was laid off so am I supppose to lie? But I will never give up. So will keep trying I spent too much time and money on this!!

—Guest KK

*sob*

Remember how Donna from "Doctor Who" would say "I'm just a temp?" That's my line... when I work anyhow. My employers have all been good to me, but I'm one of those entitled brats who longs for things like 'permanent full time' and 'benefits'. Sometimes I even consider becoming a teacher, and I don't like teaching or children. My family wants me to get a doctorate and I don't have the heart to tell them why I want no part of it. Ironically, I liked history more than chemistry, but chose chemistry because I thought there'd be good money in it. Maybe I'll become a writer.

—Guest Some clueless broad

Tough Luck

I tortured myself getting my B.S. in Chemistry with honors. I enjoy learning about chemistry because it is fascinating as well as useful. My logic was that since few people understand chemistry, or are bored by it, the industry would be clamoring for chemists. However, I found this clearly wasn't the case when I found my first job as a chemist. The pay would suggest that we are a dime a dozen. I also found that while I worked into the wee hours of the night in the lab, all of the administrative staff was at home relaxing. What's more is the buck stops with you. Any issues with an experiment are your fault not the product. You have to figure out how to fit it all into your schedule. If I could I would have gone with a more conservative career path like accounting or business.

—Guest Chemist

Cannot find a chemistry job

I graduated back in May 2004 with a BS in Chemistry and still cannot find a job Obama is full of it we do not need engineers and scientists what we need are drunk and dope addicts for scientists.

—Guest Disgusted with Obama's B*S*

Chemistry jobs

Life is what you make out of it, Educational degrees are not the Alpha and Omega I know people who just have secondary education only and yet they make lots & lots of money more than people who have the degrees.

—Guest Go-Getter

chemistry is fascinating

But at my company the engineers just take turns doing what little QA bitchwork there is.

—Guest Mech Eng

chemist

I dont know where to start but yeah, same thing to those chemist out there. My first job was handling GC. yeah It was pretty exciting although you have to give you 100% full time to your instrument because of the demanding clients. Of course, I ended up resigning for the job and currently, where I am now, i'm a lab analyst in a local water utility. I was working in monitoring the potability of water then just last month, landed myself to wastewater. It's very tiring and the work is repetitive. I just hope chemists should not be stuck inside the lab for long hours or we'll be getting crazy.

—Guest ettelocin

Chemist I,

BS Chem 2009(2.5 gpa, yeap), first job 12/hr at an environmental lab for seasonal(summer job). Possibly the worst job ever. But after that got a job at a fortune 500 pharm company as a contract chemist. Worked there for a year, really good place but hard to get hired full time. Either have to know some one or be in right place at the right time. Regardless, I had that experience on my resume(say you worked at ABT labs helps alot). Was able to get a full time salaried job for 21$ hr in 2010, now making about 24$ /hr, this is in a state that is 10% lower than the national average of cost of living. Always factor in cost of living in your salary. 40K in Milwaukee is the same as 80K in san fransisco in terms of local buying power. I will say this, the only reason I am were I am today is that I was willing to work for 12$/hr working with shit water (literally) and I give one hell of an interview. But now I'm going for an MBA because there is no career advancement with just a BS.

—Guest M chemist, its okay

Lucky Star

I agree with all the comments coming from Chemists. The only way for those who are already chemists to form their own chemical and consultation companies to determine their value as knowledge workers. Otherwise others will always determine what value they attach to you.

—Guest Lucky Star

chemist

lots politic in the lab environment. very truth what it said on this. low pay, PHD steal ideas. been a chemist for 20 years, I am very bitter. I hate my repetitive jobs.

—Guest don