Where's my life going?

[Ziltoid]

I'm currently doing my 2nd Semester at University, in Chemistry (B.S.) and I like it so far. But I was chatting with a friend today and she simply asked me "what job are you aiming at" and honestly I could not answer her, I have no idea of what kind of job related to the program I'm in. I like chemistry, but where will it get me? I'm just confused, it kinda hit me like a train just a few minutes ago.

[Fontaine]

no where, sorry, get your coat and exit door 2 please.

but seriously, ever think about teaching?

[Ziltoid]

I've thought about teaching, but I have no interest in high school teaching, I'd most likely end up making a murder, I thought about College/Uni teaching but that requires a Ph.D and I doubt I want to study that long.

[monzamess]

You're in your second semester. You still have some time, but the sooner you pick a path, the better. Sure you can change your major later on, maybe you can't even declare one yet, but doing that will put you behind and/or set you up for some grueling semesters. As for jobs for chemistry majors, I don't know, but doing a web search for "jobs for chemistry majors" turned up a ton of decent material.

[TrooperFarva]

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

I'm currently doing my 2nd Semester at University, in Chemistry (B.S.) and I like it so far. But I was chatting with a friend today and she simply asked me "what job are you aiming at" and honestly I could not answer her, I have no idea of what kind of job related to the program I'm in. I like chemistry, but where will it get me? I'm just confused, it kinda hit me like a train just a few minutes ago.

It doesn't sound like your far enough into college to really know what you'd like to do afterwards. It's in your Junior and Senior years, when you take more specific, technical classes, that you'll really get an idea of what aspects of chemistry you like, and what you don't.

[Ziltoid]

I still have time, that's true, but what kind of job is there? Later when I move to Laval I'll have to pick a concentration.

The choices are:

Organic Chemistry and Pharma.
Chemistry of the materials
Environment and Radio ecology
Bio molecular Chemistry
Catalysis
and something they call "Regular path"

there's no obligation to take a concentration if I may add.


But then again, what kind of jobs can you get with a B. Sp. in chem?

[Marley's Ghost]

Meth Lab?

j/k, Don't worry about it. Study hard, have fun and enjoy your college years. Things will work out.

[Ziltoid]

hum yeah...studying hard

[Jimmy Bones]

Pharmaceuticals are big money business.

[Pilgrim]

In your second semester I'm surprised you even have declared a major. Most of us don't decide until the end of the second year, and even then many change their minds and switch majors.

If you like chemistry (a great major with some solid career paths), then start researching careers (which you should have done before now). If you find some careers that sound good, continue. If not, do more research and cahnge majors to one that points you in a career direction you like.

In other words, do your homework, and if you don't like the result, change your direction.

[waleross]

Don't quit your Bass Job!

[TobyBass55]

I'm a chemist.............retired after 25yrs in and industrial setting. The most important advice I could give you while you are still in school is to get some practical lab experience by doing a summer internship in an area of chemistry that you think you might want to make a career out of. The profs at your school should be able to help you identify some potential summer internships or research opportunities in a professor's lab. Beauty of the summer interships in industry is that you get to see how you like the work, get experience for your resume, and get paid for doing it.

[J. Crawford]

Change majors?

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

I'm currently doing my 2nd Semester at University, in Chemistry (B.S.) and I like it so far. But I was chatting with a friend today and she simply asked me "what job are you aiming at" and honestly I could not answer her, I have no idea of what kind of job related to the program I'm in. I like chemistry, but where will it get me? I'm just confused, it kinda hit me like a train just a few minutes ago.

I don't recommend this, but just to make you feel better: I spent an inordinate amount of time in school, grabbed a major that was interesting but had few employment prospects and walked out of school with no direction. I now have a nice career in a field completely unrelated to anything taught at most schools in the country (landman). 2nd semster? I wasn't worried about passing at that point in school, let alone my future job. Listen to Pilgrim.

Mike

[TrooperFarva]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Meth Lab?

Pardon me?

[CapnSev]

I'm working part-time at the city's crime lab, and they are always wanting people with an organic chemistry degree. You could give that a shot, the job is a blast!

[warnergt]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Meth Lab?

Pardon me?

[Pitbull Growl]

Bio Chem??

Pfizer is calling you.

Maybe you'll be the one to invent a pill that gives married women a sex drive when their husbands are in the room (and vice versa).

[Ericman197]

If you like chemistry then just stick with it and try to get as diverse an education as possible. Pharmaceuticals would of course be high on the list, but I know people who made catalysts for industry, worked with agricultural companies developing pesticides, you could do military stuff, etc. Fossil fuels is another major area.

[Munjibunga]

Pharma's good. Don't teach ... no money.