Why Chemistry Gradschool Isn't For Me

Today I talk a bit about what its like to be finishing up my chemistry major and what my plans are after college and my undergrad. I go over my reasoning for not necessarily wanting to go to graduate school right after my bachelors and maybe working in industry first. I would love to hear your guys opinions as I document my chemistry major job hunt.

[@rogerparada4995]

Sharing my own experience: I recently graduated with a chemistry degree (May 2021). I was applying for jobs about 3 months before graduation. I was able to start a job right out of school in a oil and gas laboratory. It was a lot of basic, wet chemistry. Within a few months, there was a vacancy in the the Gas Chromatography section of the lab, and because I had shown some proficiency in knowledge of GC during my interview, I was transferred. I really enjoy what I do. Future plans: I do NOT get paid a lot, but it is sufficient pay for my needs. I plan to continue getting experience and go back to grad school within 2-3 years. Having finished school at 26 (and not 22) this works for me for now and I hope it works out for you too, Zahl. Hope my experience encourages you. Best of luck out there!!

[@zahlazizi]

It’s great you were able to find a job! I’m thinking if I go to grad school to focus on materials science because semiconductors are huge and also tie into the physical and inorganic chemistry. I wish you luck in your career!

[@afborro]

I can share a bit of experience having done a chemistry degree and Ph,D now in mid 50s. The direction I took was computational and theoretical chemistry during my postgrad straight after my BSc. (tough of course, advanced Math and physics required, the European (Irish) system was different back then, I did math as a minor degree, Chemistry as Major, so you did a sort of combined degree, which gave me extra scope. While I had the option to continue in academia after a 2 year post doc, I opted out, I didn't want the travelling lifestyle and living wherever the job took me, that just wasn't for me. I wanted to settle first, kids, wife and all that stuff, so that's how it went. The coding and computer skills I gained in that period made it easy to cross over to working as a developer in IT. Since a few years ago I return to theoretical chemistry as a hobby, writing electronic structure (ab initio) code, The beauty is, I just need a PC, my home, no lab, no beakers, no smells :D and in the process rebuild connections I'd do it for the rest of my life it wasn't for the perks that came with it back then,. It's a beautiful subject. But I always say: Never give up happiness for a job. I suppose, i wasn't a true academic, my attitude was, job second, life first. I realised that in my mid twenties, during my PostDoc I felt I was done. though i had offer from very reputable universities including the US shortly after I left, it was hard to say no, but I had to say for my own well-being, I don't regret it.

[@user-cl9jv9no4n]

Wow congrats

[@skaterjon89]

Gave me some good life advice.

[@SimicChameleon]

Good job on passing a chemistry degree and having a job. I know some friends have a biochemistry degree or chemistry; even so, it impressive to aim high in stem.

[@arrafi.r5598]

thank you zahl, i am about to entering chem bachelor (will be in august 2022). i realize after i apply its gonna be rough and not very smooth right after graduating especially for industrial field, and in my country its not very favorite degree (even educational chemistry is more great in my country). im looking forward to your video of your experience. good luck for you, and for us.

[@lqkim9756]

When I graduated with a BS in Chemistry in 2019, I didn't pursue graduate studies right away, because I wanted to gain industry experience first. That way, if I ever go to grad school but later drop out of the program, I still could work in the industry.

[@Lemurai]

You honestly don’t need it, master’s & PhD’s are overrated. Upper level degrees mainly pay off in health care, such as an MD, nurse practitioner, Physicians Assistant etc… I’m a Chem E by trade and my sister graduated with a bachelor’s in Nursing, I’ve not yet been able to catch her in pay yet, and I probably never will as many are making $5k weekly just doing freelance work. Most top level STEM degrees are better off at the bachelors level, unless you’re trying to work on big gov projects where a PhD is the entry level.

[@tania8904]

I got into the master's program in the fall of last year; I chose chemistry because of my interests but at this point I just completed my first sem and I realised that it is really really tough I am just doing one subject right now but in bachelors, I was also doing Physics and maths too and never found it difficult, but this time I feel like I should have taken a break and the same thing that you just said slowed down and relax a bit.i love chemistry and luckily our uni opened for few months so did the lab work offline , enjoyed it but I think taking a break is the best decision because it kind of helps you to figure out/ evaluate and make a better future plan and Best Wishes for the future!!!

[@zahlazizi]

Thanks! It does seem like the undergraduate system for STEM majors really pushes going directly into grad school and doesn't advertise that you can take a break. Best of luck to you!

[@oshenfranco496]

I really appreciate this video. I’m looking forward to seeing your future videos. I’m currently taking a gap-year after high school to travel and read with my family. I applied to universities and am planning on majoring in Biochemistry. I love the field and broadness since it delves into physics, bio, and chem. My goal is to have a better understanding of the world around me. I think I will pursue a career in business after getting my bachelors. I’ve talked to many people who have taken this route and the general consensus is that analytical skills and discipline gained from a science major definitely transfer over to the business world. I’ve been following your channel quite a bit and would like to know if you think it would be worth it for me to take this path. Again, your videos are much appreciated.

[@zahlazizi]

Biochemistry is a great path. It’s one of the best paying and most employable in chemistry because pharmaceuticals are huge! Best of luck!

[@thebluebeyond2329]

It’s crazy cause l think l choose a wrong major, earned a lot of distinctions in my undergrad for chem but in my final year l hated it. I hated the fact that l have to further study to get a decent job. There’s no one there to show you where you can possibly go besides people shoving postgrad school down your throat as an option. It gets really dark. People l know in South Africa, are continuing with postgrad studies cause they hope the job market will be kind to them. They never went to the field, busy with research projects until PhD. If anyone told me l would’ve went to tech.

[@prolinque8042]

I'm doing my last chemistry major and i have no idea what I'm gonna do with it chemistry is really difficult i regret doing it and now it's gonna be my 3rd and last in UNI i haven't went back to school but I'm already tired

[@zahlazizi]

One of the reasons I will try and find a job is another few years of school sounds exhausting. It only jobs were easier to get

[@TheDVM]

Wasn't hard for me to find a job. I graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BS in Chemistry and now I'm a Veterinarian for Banfield. Vet school was an easy apply too bc of my stem degree.

[@thispersonrighthere9024]

um...a lot of people do (bio)chemistry because the major usually has most of the required subjects that med, vet, and dental schools are expecting their applicants to have studied before applying. this vid is for chemistry majors who are looking to stay in the chemistry field.

[@TheDVM]

@@thispersonrighthere9024 gotcha

[@Asphyxiatealways]

Hey, got my biochemistry degree in dec 22, applied for grad school but didn’t get in. I have ,any job offers for lab jobs but nothing too exciting. I am currently entertaining research jobs at a university to gain more experience and see if I really want to do medicinal chemistry program.

[@michaelzessin9227]

cute.

[@J_F_1992]

You guys are all lucky lol. I run a business but just got all the chemsitry and organic chemistry courses from Udemy. I dont ever intend to get paid from learning all of this. Im lame and chemistry is something i study in my spare time to help ease my life long existential crisis lmao. I live in a small town in southern indiana of only about 10,000 people. No sign of intelligent life anywhere down here.

[@JorgeRodriguez-ue9rr]

Egg

[@jamesromano3288]

Son.....get a job a Starbucks and cut your losses. Wash your hair.....take a bath,.....and clean yourself up.....it will help.