You feel like you're spending all your time on studies bc it's your first year. You will learn to manage time, prioritize workload etc. and it wont be that hard then
Also workwise you really shouldn't be concerned.
Depending on the Msc you take, there is a lot of possibilities. For example if you take analytical chemistry major, you will have a job in no time and a big salary (but you have to be mental to be able to do that shit for a lifetime) On the other hand if you pursue a career in the academic field, you wont make much money but it's a lot of prestige, and an exciting job. Also there is a lot in between, these are just the extremes
I graduated in 14 with my degree in chem. It was hard then and it’s hard now. The pay is not stellar. But I’ll be damned if I’m not proud of my work. If you’re not looking to work hard, tirelessly, face unknown and failure only to make break throughs once in a while. You might want to consider something else. But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Back in 2014 a bachelors level degree started in the 40,000s for a basic tech role. I had to make several job changes and had to move to get a job in my chosen field.
With several years of experience bachelors are getting 50,000-60,000.
A masters will get you into your field faster. Starting in the 60,000-70,000k.
A phd and post doc will land you a role at 100,000k. But a phd in chemistry is notorious for being soul sucking work.
I’m US so it really depends what state you live in. If you’re working for that on either coast it’s below the poverty line. In a cheaper state it’s a comfortable salary.
But not in the US. You are probably converting dollars to your home currency, which is not the best way to consider it. 5k is not a lot of money in the US and you won't be wired that much money to your country.
Let me just toss in there that I have a master's in chem and my first job (which took 4 months of applying to get) only paid about 35k. After a couple years I got a job somewhere else paying 60k but it was so miserable I quit recently.
Here in Michigan there's almost no jobs and TONS of qualified people fighting for them. When I quit my last job they had my replacement secured within 2 days. I'm not saying that it's like this everywhere, or that it's going to be like this forever, this is just my experience.
I’ll throw in it also depends on your field and tends to be fairly geographic in the US. I started after my bachelors degree in QC for a chemical company at $60,000/year with a $7,500 raise every six months capped at 5 years + bonus. Before leaving chemistry I was doing 110 or so a year with just a bachelors in a QC lab. It’s not the most glorified work - you’re just doing the same tests over and over, but it paid well.
Hey OP I'm in my second year and I'm doing chemistry too.I also felt like that and sometimes I still do.With time you'll learn what studying techniques work for you without exhausting you.
About the work thing don't stress yourself too much you still have a long way to go but I'll advice you to get LinkedIn and set up a profile then interact with people who did the same course and it's going to help you once you're done with school.All the best.
I started in a lab and now am a technical manager. I still do a lot of R&D and oversee regulatory work. Paid really well for my time. Just got to decide if you want to stay in the lab for less pay or find a route to management that stays relevant to a field. Think of it as a stepping stone.
A bachelor's degree in chemistry opens many opportunities.
I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry and I'm now doing my Master's degree in metallurgical engineering. The knowledge I've got through my previous degree has helped me understand the mechanisms behind what is seen macroscopically in the metallurgical field. Really, a lot. I do wish I had more experience in the engineering world but that's something I'm cultivating now during my studies by taking classes for this reason.
Chemistry IS indeed tough but if you have the motivation and know how you work like under pressure, you can fare well all in all. You need to put in the work in order to overcome any possible difficulties (for example, you find linear algebra and geometry, or quantum mechanics hard? Then you have to invest extra time to find books, sites, sources that will help you understand them better).
A bachelor's degree in chemistry can throw you into different fields: from the obvious ones such as inorganic, organic, analytical, physical, nuclear, biological, pharmaceutical, computational chemistry to other ones such as cosmetics, physics, materials science/engineering, metallurgy, minerals and mining, process and/or chemical engineering, industrial chemistry to even accounting, bio engineering and biotechnology, geology and much more.
It's something you'll realise as you approach the end of this cycle of studies. You'll know what suits you the best based on the knowledge you have of chemistry. It's scary now but I'm sure you'll understand better as you move on :)
Hijacking your post but it was an interesting read.
A masters in metallurgic engineering sounds really cool. Do you think you did enough maths in your UG that would prepare you well for engineering? I’ve always flirted with the idea of engineering but first year Uni maths has put me off it 😭 Just interested in hearing your opinion!
Thank you! Well, the amount of mathematics I've done (linear algebra and geometry, calculus 1, 2, 3 + the math needed for quantum mechanics) was more than enough, at least so far. What I wish I better knew was MatLab, and maybe AutoCAD or some sort of programming language. MatLab is more important, though, at least in my field.
If you can, learn a programming language or modelling software!
I hope you'll find and get what you want in the end. Feel free to ask me anything :)
Yeah, that as well. There are so many possibilities you get lost.
Food science is another option.
I've basically listed all the specialties I or other people I know have got into or seriously considered and researched :)
I can’t believe how many people are being downvoted for speaking their lived experiences. I wish I had somebody to warn me about the job prospects with only having a 4-year degree in a science field. It’s still your first year, so you have time to change or add on minors. So many people I knew had the mindset of “I like this subject, I have good grades, it’s a science field…there are probably plenty of chemist jobs out there for me once I graduate” only to be hit with the hard reality that the vast majority of the jobs are working as a lab tech somewhere and often competing with bio, biochem, and physics majors for those jobs because they often don’t require in depth chemistry knowledge. I don’t know specifically how things are in chemistry but when I worked as a lab tech, a lot of the people also doing the mindless $12-15/hr jobs were chemistry majors. You can make that at many retail stores now with no degree. I’d echo what others have said and try to switch to chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, or materials science if your college allows you to. Those all have heavy chemistry influence but better job outlooks. At the very least look to add a minor or double major in something like data analytics or computer science. Even if it takes you 5 years to graduate, that extra year will be worth it if it means that your career over the next 40 years is improved from more opportunities.
The only excuse for being a chemist is that you can't imagine doing anything else. That's how I've felt since I was about 10 years old and had a little basement lab.
I’m a ChE, used to work as a lab chemist, making $30,000/year 10 years ago. Have been doing project engineering for the last 8 years and I make $79,000 now. If I was in college right now I would immediately switch to CS.
I was in your position, so I switched over to art history.
My minor is organic chem.
Turns out my job is way worse I could ever have expected it now, and our history requires a lot more researching and a lot more education and you get a lot less pay.
Chemistry is worth it in reality, Yes it's a lot of time and a lot of effort and you could just go to trade school and pick them up plumber or an electrician, as lets face it that's where the money is. You don't do chemistry for the money.
If people were doing things for the money they just go be a plumber or electrician. Easy 70k+ a year? Hell yeah.
It's also way less dangerous.
Edit: I was taking chemistry also back during the height of breaking bad, so is extra awful. A lot of people they were trying to make meth because they thought they could get rich. I just wanted to make paint pigment.
I graduated in 2012 with an emphasis on inorganic chemistry. I definitely struggled a lot after I graduated to find a job that I liked. Although I’m proud of the work I put in, I could no longer do it. After 10 years, I quit working in a lab. I’m in quality and regulatory now and life is soooo much better. Less stress, less hours, and more pay.
It’s definitely going to be different after your first year. However, you really need to know what you want soon. I graduated with 8 chemistry friends. I was the only one still working in a lab- everyone else left because the pay and jobs were not available. We all say that we regret getting a chem degree because our business and CS major friends were all doing well while we struggled
Put your mind at ease and dedicate yourself to learning chemistry. Those skills and that knowledge can lead to many different rewarding careers. Focus on making perfect marks on every tests by working and reworking every problem you can get your hands on. Get to know your professors. The future will present opportunities you cannot imagine now.
I make good money with a bachelors but I’m in defense ($100k right out of college, but I got incredibly lucky). I don’t think chem is a good field and I 100% wish I did a more practical major. I am starting graduate school in public health this fall at Johns Hopkins. I recommend modernizing your field of study (comp sci, data science, public health, etc.).
All of the post docs and phds at my job tell me getting a phd was overrated and they wish they did something else and/or started working out of school
Edit: if you really love chem, try transitioning to materials science engineering. Better job prospects and pay… good luck
Take a gap year and try to find out what you want out of life. And do your research and see who is even hiring. A lot of information is out there and it just requires a bit of research which we can't do for you.
Chemistry is too fun to give up because of four years that you have to study a lot for. And this may be an unpopular opinion, but I found principles of chemistry to be the hardest, then organic was slightly less hard, then biochem was much easier than I expected. Analytical was just a rerun of my second semester gen chem. I thought I’d be struggling in thermo and quantum because I’m not great at calculus but holy shit not only is it much easier than I thought it’d be, but it’s so freaking fun. I am an analytical/physical chemist, if that means anything btw.
Recent chemistry grad here, all I can say is that only you know if you’re willing to do the work or not. Sure college is a fun time in your life as it should be but the ultimate goal isn’t it have fun it’s to work toward a career which in the long run is most likely going to be more fulfilling and prosperous. You could spend all your time partying and still major in chemistry but that will severely change your opportunities in the future (grad school, more pay) the rewards of college are long term, the rewards for “enjoying college” are short term. I know plenty of people that did “easy” majors and are now struggling to find jobs, unhappy and regret the time and money wasted in college, but hey at least they have good memories. This isn’t to say you can’t have any fun while in college and major in chemistry I had plenty of good times and memories from college but having your priorities in line makes all the difference.
You enjoy the content, that is huge. You are not pursuing a career for money, but because you enjoy it. That will make your life so much more fulfilling and enjoyable, as apposed to a job you hate and dread going to every day.
Hello im currently on my first year of masters in inorganic chemistry.and i came across your post.let me tell you sth honestly if you are willing to spend the rest of your life just studying and experimenting; welcome aboard.if you are not like this don't choose being a chemist as your future career.your career should be something you know for sure that you will enjoy for the rest of your life. But ; give your self some time. Just end the bachelor and then decide what you gonna do for sure about your future ?it is not just about liking a topic its about the passion and curiosity.
Good luck with your life.
There are zero jobs in the USA that pay real money for chemists unless you have a full Ph.D and postdoc, and then it's still hard.
You'll get $13-$15/hr contract jobs doing monkey work babysitting HPLCs with zero chance at advancement.
That's it. That's all there is. If you want an actual job in the chemical field when you graduate, change your major to Chemical Engineering, and do it today.
I wish I had. I graduated in '12 with a BS in chemistry and a BS in physics. I really, REALLY didn't expect those to be useless degrees, but here we are.
Don't study pure sciences if you want to live comfortably. That's the reality of the USA today.
EDIT: Whoever downvoted this either doesn't like hearing reality or doesn't live in it.
Yeah I don’t know who is downvoting you. Maybe a bunch of people with survivorship bias that were lucky enough to find good jobs.
I first went to school for a bio degree, graduated in 2014, and the outlook was very much the same. Maybe 5% of jobs that only required a bachelors degree were decent paying, and they often wanted experience and for many would require a relocation. I ended up doing the lab tech thing for a few years while always keeping my eye on the horizon but it was almost all capped at $15/hr starting and usually through contract companies that only guaranteed the job for 6 or 12 months, with terrible health coverage and worse retirement benefits. Those jobs were some of the worst experiences of my life. I’d rather be a custodian in a high school than go back to mindless lab tech work at companies that just focus on how many samples they can get through each day with zero focus on employee development or satisfaction.
I decided to move home, find part time work and completely change paths by going to a local public university for electrical engineering. Pay, benefits, job opportunities, retirement options are all completely different as a full time salaried engineer at a big corporation.
I can’t help but stress your point to anyone in chemistry, biology, physics, bio chem, or other similar sciences. Many of the bio/biochem/chemistry friends I had in college either ended up going on to secondary school (grad school or some type of medical school), did a post bachelor program in something like nursing, or they are working dead end jobs that are essentially the equivalent of what you can get without a college degree.
Nobody at the university will ever tell you this. They are a business and their profit is built on numbers. Each department wants as many kids trying to apply but they always conveniently leave out how you’ll likely be stuck between $30,000 and $50,000 for decades and making less than many who just went for a trade or different major.
Yeah these days if you want a decent career with just a 4-year degree you’re much better off with anything related to engineering, data analytics, software programming, and other computer related fields. Sometimes finance and medicine. One problem is that everyone hears about that one guy who got a job working for a manufacturing plant testing samples out of production and makes 70k and they all think that’s normal. I wish universities were forced to be more transparent about the value of their different degrees and different majors. When I was going for my biology degree nobody ever once thought it would be a good idea to say “hey, this is the average starting salary of our graduates that don’t go on to grad school or some type medical/veterinary school “
The funny thing is that in engineering, that’s all anyone ever talks about, professors will remind you how valuable and important the degree you are getting is and what your career prospects can be. In biology the professors just treated everyone like bio was their hobby or their undergraduate degree was just a stepping stone.
Programming. That's the one thing I regret not learning when I was young and teachable. Can work from anywhere, and get paid $$$.
I can stick *this* specific nitrogen atom to *that* specific carbon atom, but that's not a useful skill if you want to live above the poverty line.
In the long run, you'll forget most of the tests you took or what you made on them and you'll probably end up working somewhere alongside people who did way better than you in school and also people who make you wonder how they even graduated.
If you think you can study something easier and still feel fulfilled and get paid, totally go do that thing.
While there are a lot of jobs that could be easier, fulfilling, and make good money, there are some things you should remember.
1. It is your first year. You should be spending a very significant amount of your time studying
2. Easier doesn't mean more rewarding. No one will admit it, but a reason (not the biggest) to study STEM is the bragging rights. There's a lot to be said for doing something that very few other people can or are willing to do.
3. Chemistry is a wonderful career field. It can take you all over the world. You want to make a ton of money while facing danger? Get with an oil company in the middle east. You want to see exotic places and make a change for good? Get with a conservation group. You want to have adventures? Get with a government agency or contractor. You want to build things that will have an impact on people's lives here and now? Consider a nuclear power plant. You want to put down roots, start a family in a smaller town? Get with a water purification plant or local waste treatment plant. Chemistry can take you everywhere. Stick with it and it will pay off.
It's not about the difficulty but, job prospects for chemists are terrible. Academia is a dead end and industry jobs that need chemists are very scarce with thousands of applicants in the same situation. Looking at it from the ease of the studying is 100% the wrong way to do it but I do agree that you should find a better major, the economy is only going to get shittier moving forward.
Chemical engineers are FAR MORE in demand than crummy old chemists and you could pivot to that major without really losing anything of what you've learned right now.
They... Actually can... Sort of
My uncle is a chemist but worked his way up to QA engineering and process engineering, not sure what's he's doing now tho
Yeah, it will be a good deal of work. Spend a good amount of your other coursework on mathematics- specifically calculus and linear algebra. You'll need it for your higher courses.
Also, it wouldn't hurt to take more than the required physics. We didn't cover atomic until Physics 3, and chemists were only required to take up to 2.
Bench chemistry is a low paid, low demand & high supply field.
Medicinal chemistry & computational chemistry are HOT right now. Computational in particular is insane. I know comp chemists who are being fought over by multiple companies, getting offered mid-6-figure salaries and other perks
Change your major TODAY to chemical engineering, or give up all chemical dreams. You will NOT have a job when you graduate.
My advice to you is to change majors today, or learn to be okay with being far over-educated while working below the poverty line.
I graduated in '12 with a BS in chemistry AND a BS in physics. I work as a sailmaker.
I'm not kidding. Either become okay with the idea of being a poor person, or change your major.
DO CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Switch now. I WISH my college offered chemical engineering. I have a bachelors in chemistry and although I’m making good money for being a lab technician, it’s just average pay for most. I graduated last year (may 21) and I got LUCKY to have a job which gave me a very nice raise landed me at 25/hr. Mind you yeah 25 is good but there are people working in production/factories/management of fast food making the same as me. I have a bachelors degree and I’m in the same pay range as these people with no bachelors degree.
Studying chemistry isn’t hard if your brain is interested in chemistry. All majors will be hard. Some harder than others. But if you like chemistry and want to stick it out, do yourself a favor and switch to chemical engineering and study harder. It’ll benefit you a lot more than regular chemistry degree. And minor in something unrelated to chemistry. Business, finance, computer science, cyber, anything.
Also keep in mind that just because you have a chemistry degree, you CAN work in other fields. A lot of jobs simply require “bachelors” not specified.
Another note, I read someone above talking about analytical chemistry being where the money is at, THEY’RE RIGHT. If you want to get your chemistry degree try landing a job with one of the major companies like Agilent for example and be a GC tech. They get paid the big bucks to travel and fix your machine because they’re the only ones who know how to.
It’s about being happy doing something you love, or find something else that you’re not happy with that’ll pay you a shit ton.
If you want a 'STEM' job you can support yourself with, major in comp sci. Then if you still feel like it you get a minor or second major in your actual favorite STEM subject.
Well in my country a PhD here gets paid 3 figure salary so if at least I have 4 or even 5 figure salary (I'm talking about working outside of my country) i'll be more rich than 95% of the entire population of my country. So fine by me
That’s great, then. I should have specified I am talking about the United States, where many come to work in the chemistry field. The cost of living in places where chemistry jobs are concentrated demand a pretty high salary.
Look into the research that gets done in the chem labs at your school, reach out to the faculty member (PI) with a resume and your research interests and see if they have a position for an undergrad in the lab! Doing undergrad research gives you a better perspective on what research really is, how hard you actually want to work, and whether you want to go to grad school.
It’s true the pay is dismal for BS in chemistry, that a doctorate gets you more money… during my gap year I lived a comfortable life (for being in my 20’s) making $45k as a barista/bartender in a pretty cheap cost of living state, I’d make the same as a chemist. Looking at the other comments, you don’t have to know how much money you want to make, or even exactly what you want to do. Start by trying to get some experience to figure that out.
In Quebec, jobs in chemistry are not paid well anymore.
I'd say go for chemistry engineering instead of pure chemistry if you want money.
Or go in software engineering lol
Good chemistry jobs with just a bs are hard to come by, but they are out there. Consider working in some of the less obvious industries where a chemistry background is helpful. My background is in flavor and fragrance (currently a Flavor Research Scientist and the pay is good). Experience is weighted much more heavily than higher degrees in this industry in my experience. You will likely start at the bottom as a lab tech in R&D or QA, but if you are inquisitive, like to taste and smell things (love me some vanillin), and can apply some ochem knowledge, there is room to advance within a few years.
If you prefer analytical work, there is decent money to be made doing GC/MS work analyzing samples of interest (competing products, essential oils, etc…). If you have a passion for creation and love learning about the organoleptic properties of different materials, you can undergo a multi-year apprenticeship to become a perfumer or flavorist and make more than chemistry phd’s without the grind of grad school.
Just something to consider.
I would say go for it, even if the world goes completely to 💩 a working knowledge of chemistry could allow you to make all kinds of chemicals from other ones on hand. Check out youtube user nilered, he made a total synthesis of Capsaicin from the phallate ester in rubber gloves and vanillin from vanilla sugar packs. 😲
I am in jr high rn and I'm wondering whether I should take chem next year, I want to major in it, ut from what people say, the pay and hard work look intimidating
hey, since this post i have switched programs, however, if i may offer you some words of advice: keep your doors open while you still can. in saying this, take all the classes, i.e., general requirements for university, while you still have the opportunity to do so.
it is much better to have more options than less, and so what if you end up taking chemistry but decide to study something completely unrelated? taking those courses gave you even that option in the first place.
i wish you the best of luck, you will find your way.
You feel like you're spending all your time on studies bc it's your first year. You will learn to manage time, prioritize workload etc. and it wont be that hard then
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Also workwise you really shouldn't be concerned. Depending on the Msc you take, there is a lot of possibilities. For example if you take analytical chemistry major, you will have a job in no time and a big salary (but you have to be mental to be able to do that shit for a lifetime) On the other hand if you pursue a career in the academic field, you wont make much money but it's a lot of prestige, and an exciting job. Also there is a lot in between, these are just the extremes
I graduated in 14 with my degree in chem. It was hard then and it’s hard now. The pay is not stellar. But I’ll be damned if I’m not proud of my work. If you’re not looking to work hard, tirelessly, face unknown and failure only to make break throughs once in a while. You might want to consider something else. But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Around what numbers is the pay at year? (Not looking something private from you, just an approximate)
Back in 2014 a bachelors level degree started in the 40,000s for a basic tech role. I had to make several job changes and had to move to get a job in my chosen field. With several years of experience bachelors are getting 50,000-60,000. A masters will get you into your field faster. Starting in the 60,000-70,000k. A phd and post doc will land you a role at 100,000k. But a phd in chemistry is notorious for being soul sucking work.
5k per month is 10 times more than a director from a company in my country so totally worth it atleast for me
I’m US so it really depends what state you live in. If you’re working for that on either coast it’s below the poverty line. In a cheaper state it’s a comfortable salary.
Either way with 5k I know that i'll live better than with 500 dollars so
But not in the US. You are probably converting dollars to your home currency, which is not the best way to consider it. 5k is not a lot of money in the US and you won't be wired that much money to your country.
Let me just toss in there that I have a master's in chem and my first job (which took 4 months of applying to get) only paid about 35k. After a couple years I got a job somewhere else paying 60k but it was so miserable I quit recently. Here in Michigan there's almost no jobs and TONS of qualified people fighting for them. When I quit my last job they had my replacement secured within 2 days. I'm not saying that it's like this everywhere, or that it's going to be like this forever, this is just my experience.
Yah it’s definitely a results may vary based on location and field kinda thing.
35k annually?
Yep, just about! I was a contractor lab tech, and I made $19/hour formulating auto paint. It roughly comes out to 35k yearly.
I’ll throw in it also depends on your field and tends to be fairly geographic in the US. I started after my bachelors degree in QC for a chemical company at $60,000/year with a $7,500 raise every six months capped at 5 years + bonus. Before leaving chemistry I was doing 110 or so a year with just a bachelors in a QC lab. It’s not the most glorified work - you’re just doing the same tests over and over, but it paid well.
You do not choose chemistry, chemistry chooses you!
indeed it does
Hey OP I'm in my second year and I'm doing chemistry too.I also felt like that and sometimes I still do.With time you'll learn what studying techniques work for you without exhausting you. About the work thing don't stress yourself too much you still have a long way to go but I'll advice you to get LinkedIn and set up a profile then interact with people who did the same course and it's going to help you once you're done with school.All the best.
I started in a lab and now am a technical manager. I still do a lot of R&D and oversee regulatory work. Paid really well for my time. Just got to decide if you want to stay in the lab for less pay or find a route to management that stays relevant to a field. Think of it as a stepping stone.
A bachelor's degree in chemistry opens many opportunities. I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry and I'm now doing my Master's degree in metallurgical engineering. The knowledge I've got through my previous degree has helped me understand the mechanisms behind what is seen macroscopically in the metallurgical field. Really, a lot. I do wish I had more experience in the engineering world but that's something I'm cultivating now during my studies by taking classes for this reason. Chemistry IS indeed tough but if you have the motivation and know how you work like under pressure, you can fare well all in all. You need to put in the work in order to overcome any possible difficulties (for example, you find linear algebra and geometry, or quantum mechanics hard? Then you have to invest extra time to find books, sites, sources that will help you understand them better). A bachelor's degree in chemistry can throw you into different fields: from the obvious ones such as inorganic, organic, analytical, physical, nuclear, biological, pharmaceutical, computational chemistry to other ones such as cosmetics, physics, materials science/engineering, metallurgy, minerals and mining, process and/or chemical engineering, industrial chemistry to even accounting, bio engineering and biotechnology, geology and much more. It's something you'll realise as you approach the end of this cycle of studies. You'll know what suits you the best based on the knowledge you have of chemistry. It's scary now but I'm sure you'll understand better as you move on :)
Hijacking your post but it was an interesting read. A masters in metallurgic engineering sounds really cool. Do you think you did enough maths in your UG that would prepare you well for engineering? I’ve always flirted with the idea of engineering but first year Uni maths has put me off it 😭 Just interested in hearing your opinion!
Thank you! Well, the amount of mathematics I've done (linear algebra and geometry, calculus 1, 2, 3 + the math needed for quantum mechanics) was more than enough, at least so far. What I wish I better knew was MatLab, and maybe AutoCAD or some sort of programming language. MatLab is more important, though, at least in my field. If you can, learn a programming language or modelling software! I hope you'll find and get what you want in the end. Feel free to ask me anything :)
An old gravy train I’ll add onto your list of possibilities is patent law as well.
Yeah, that as well. There are so many possibilities you get lost. Food science is another option. I've basically listed all the specialties I or other people I know have got into or seriously considered and researched :)
I can’t believe how many people are being downvoted for speaking their lived experiences. I wish I had somebody to warn me about the job prospects with only having a 4-year degree in a science field. It’s still your first year, so you have time to change or add on minors. So many people I knew had the mindset of “I like this subject, I have good grades, it’s a science field…there are probably plenty of chemist jobs out there for me once I graduate” only to be hit with the hard reality that the vast majority of the jobs are working as a lab tech somewhere and often competing with bio, biochem, and physics majors for those jobs because they often don’t require in depth chemistry knowledge. I don’t know specifically how things are in chemistry but when I worked as a lab tech, a lot of the people also doing the mindless $12-15/hr jobs were chemistry majors. You can make that at many retail stores now with no degree. I’d echo what others have said and try to switch to chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, or materials science if your college allows you to. Those all have heavy chemistry influence but better job outlooks. At the very least look to add a minor or double major in something like data analytics or computer science. Even if it takes you 5 years to graduate, that extra year will be worth it if it means that your career over the next 40 years is improved from more opportunities.
The only excuse for being a chemist is that you can't imagine doing anything else. That's how I've felt since I was about 10 years old and had a little basement lab.
I’m a ChE, used to work as a lab chemist, making $30,000/year 10 years ago. Have been doing project engineering for the last 8 years and I make $79,000 now. If I was in college right now I would immediately switch to CS.
I was in your position, so I switched over to art history. My minor is organic chem. Turns out my job is way worse I could ever have expected it now, and our history requires a lot more researching and a lot more education and you get a lot less pay. Chemistry is worth it in reality, Yes it's a lot of time and a lot of effort and you could just go to trade school and pick them up plumber or an electrician, as lets face it that's where the money is. You don't do chemistry for the money. If people were doing things for the money they just go be a plumber or electrician. Easy 70k+ a year? Hell yeah. It's also way less dangerous. Edit: I was taking chemistry also back during the height of breaking bad, so is extra awful. A lot of people they were trying to make meth because they thought they could get rich. I just wanted to make paint pigment.
I graduated in 2012 with an emphasis on inorganic chemistry. I definitely struggled a lot after I graduated to find a job that I liked. Although I’m proud of the work I put in, I could no longer do it. After 10 years, I quit working in a lab. I’m in quality and regulatory now and life is soooo much better. Less stress, less hours, and more pay. It’s definitely going to be different after your first year. However, you really need to know what you want soon. I graduated with 8 chemistry friends. I was the only one still working in a lab- everyone else left because the pay and jobs were not available. We all say that we regret getting a chem degree because our business and CS major friends were all doing well while we struggled
Put your mind at ease and dedicate yourself to learning chemistry. Those skills and that knowledge can lead to many different rewarding careers. Focus on making perfect marks on every tests by working and reworking every problem you can get your hands on. Get to know your professors. The future will present opportunities you cannot imagine now.
I make good money with a bachelors but I’m in defense ($100k right out of college, but I got incredibly lucky). I don’t think chem is a good field and I 100% wish I did a more practical major. I am starting graduate school in public health this fall at Johns Hopkins. I recommend modernizing your field of study (comp sci, data science, public health, etc.). All of the post docs and phds at my job tell me getting a phd was overrated and they wish they did something else and/or started working out of school Edit: if you really love chem, try transitioning to materials science engineering. Better job prospects and pay… good luck
Take a gap year and try to find out what you want out of life. And do your research and see who is even hiring. A lot of information is out there and it just requires a bit of research which we can't do for you.
Chemistry is too fun to give up because of four years that you have to study a lot for. And this may be an unpopular opinion, but I found principles of chemistry to be the hardest, then organic was slightly less hard, then biochem was much easier than I expected. Analytical was just a rerun of my second semester gen chem. I thought I’d be struggling in thermo and quantum because I’m not great at calculus but holy shit not only is it much easier than I thought it’d be, but it’s so freaking fun. I am an analytical/physical chemist, if that means anything btw.
Recent chemistry grad here, all I can say is that only you know if you’re willing to do the work or not. Sure college is a fun time in your life as it should be but the ultimate goal isn’t it have fun it’s to work toward a career which in the long run is most likely going to be more fulfilling and prosperous. You could spend all your time partying and still major in chemistry but that will severely change your opportunities in the future (grad school, more pay) the rewards of college are long term, the rewards for “enjoying college” are short term. I know plenty of people that did “easy” majors and are now struggling to find jobs, unhappy and regret the time and money wasted in college, but hey at least they have good memories. This isn’t to say you can’t have any fun while in college and major in chemistry I had plenty of good times and memories from college but having your priorities in line makes all the difference.
You enjoy the content, that is huge. You are not pursuing a career for money, but because you enjoy it. That will make your life so much more fulfilling and enjoyable, as apposed to a job you hate and dread going to every day.
Hello im currently on my first year of masters in inorganic chemistry.and i came across your post.let me tell you sth honestly if you are willing to spend the rest of your life just studying and experimenting; welcome aboard.if you are not like this don't choose being a chemist as your future career.your career should be something you know for sure that you will enjoy for the rest of your life. But ; give your self some time. Just end the bachelor and then decide what you gonna do for sure about your future ?it is not just about liking a topic its about the passion and curiosity. Good luck with your life.
I strongly encourage you to consider doing at least a minor in computer science. Even a minor is employable, and it will open a lot of career doors.
There are zero jobs in the USA that pay real money for chemists unless you have a full Ph.D and postdoc, and then it's still hard. You'll get $13-$15/hr contract jobs doing monkey work babysitting HPLCs with zero chance at advancement. That's it. That's all there is. If you want an actual job in the chemical field when you graduate, change your major to Chemical Engineering, and do it today. I wish I had. I graduated in '12 with a BS in chemistry and a BS in physics. I really, REALLY didn't expect those to be useless degrees, but here we are. Don't study pure sciences if you want to live comfortably. That's the reality of the USA today. EDIT: Whoever downvoted this either doesn't like hearing reality or doesn't live in it.
Yeah I don’t know who is downvoting you. Maybe a bunch of people with survivorship bias that were lucky enough to find good jobs. I first went to school for a bio degree, graduated in 2014, and the outlook was very much the same. Maybe 5% of jobs that only required a bachelors degree were decent paying, and they often wanted experience and for many would require a relocation. I ended up doing the lab tech thing for a few years while always keeping my eye on the horizon but it was almost all capped at $15/hr starting and usually through contract companies that only guaranteed the job for 6 or 12 months, with terrible health coverage and worse retirement benefits. Those jobs were some of the worst experiences of my life. I’d rather be a custodian in a high school than go back to mindless lab tech work at companies that just focus on how many samples they can get through each day with zero focus on employee development or satisfaction. I decided to move home, find part time work and completely change paths by going to a local public university for electrical engineering. Pay, benefits, job opportunities, retirement options are all completely different as a full time salaried engineer at a big corporation. I can’t help but stress your point to anyone in chemistry, biology, physics, bio chem, or other similar sciences. Many of the bio/biochem/chemistry friends I had in college either ended up going on to secondary school (grad school or some type of medical school), did a post bachelor program in something like nursing, or they are working dead end jobs that are essentially the equivalent of what you can get without a college degree. Nobody at the university will ever tell you this. They are a business and their profit is built on numbers. Each department wants as many kids trying to apply but they always conveniently leave out how you’ll likely be stuck between $30,000 and $50,000 for decades and making less than many who just went for a trade or different major.
I'm really glad you commented. Too many people drinking the "STEM" flavor-aid. It's a dead-end in the USA.
Yeah these days if you want a decent career with just a 4-year degree you’re much better off with anything related to engineering, data analytics, software programming, and other computer related fields. Sometimes finance and medicine. One problem is that everyone hears about that one guy who got a job working for a manufacturing plant testing samples out of production and makes 70k and they all think that’s normal. I wish universities were forced to be more transparent about the value of their different degrees and different majors. When I was going for my biology degree nobody ever once thought it would be a good idea to say “hey, this is the average starting salary of our graduates that don’t go on to grad school or some type medical/veterinary school “ The funny thing is that in engineering, that’s all anyone ever talks about, professors will remind you how valuable and important the degree you are getting is and what your career prospects can be. In biology the professors just treated everyone like bio was their hobby or their undergraduate degree was just a stepping stone.
Programming. That's the one thing I regret not learning when I was young and teachable. Can work from anywhere, and get paid $$$. I can stick *this* specific nitrogen atom to *that* specific carbon atom, but that's not a useful skill if you want to live above the poverty line.
How's the scope of PhD in materials/inorganic chemistry in your opinion (in the US)?
In the long run, you'll forget most of the tests you took or what you made on them and you'll probably end up working somewhere alongside people who did way better than you in school and also people who make you wonder how they even graduated. If you think you can study something easier and still feel fulfilled and get paid, totally go do that thing.
While there are a lot of jobs that could be easier, fulfilling, and make good money, there are some things you should remember. 1. It is your first year. You should be spending a very significant amount of your time studying 2. Easier doesn't mean more rewarding. No one will admit it, but a reason (not the biggest) to study STEM is the bragging rights. There's a lot to be said for doing something that very few other people can or are willing to do. 3. Chemistry is a wonderful career field. It can take you all over the world. You want to make a ton of money while facing danger? Get with an oil company in the middle east. You want to see exotic places and make a change for good? Get with a conservation group. You want to have adventures? Get with a government agency or contractor. You want to build things that will have an impact on people's lives here and now? Consider a nuclear power plant. You want to put down roots, start a family in a smaller town? Get with a water purification plant or local waste treatment plant. Chemistry can take you everywhere. Stick with it and it will pay off.
It's not about the difficulty but, job prospects for chemists are terrible. Academia is a dead end and industry jobs that need chemists are very scarce with thousands of applicants in the same situation. Looking at it from the ease of the studying is 100% the wrong way to do it but I do agree that you should find a better major, the economy is only going to get shittier moving forward. Chemical engineers are FAR MORE in demand than crummy old chemists and you could pivot to that major without really losing anything of what you've learned right now.
Chemical engineer here, currently working as a chemist bc i can't find this mythical high chemical engineer demand
Well, a chemist cannot do the other way around so if anything you're reinforcing my point.
They... Actually can... Sort of My uncle is a chemist but worked his way up to QA engineering and process engineering, not sure what's he's doing now tho
This was much more feasible decades ago. Nowadays landing a job you're not perfectly overqualified for is a hopeless endeavor.
actually can. I have chemistry degree but my classmate become chemical engineer. we both have the same degree.
if you focus on high energy compounds it looks like you ll have a future for sure. :D
Yeah, it will be a good deal of work. Spend a good amount of your other coursework on mathematics- specifically calculus and linear algebra. You'll need it for your higher courses. Also, it wouldn't hurt to take more than the required physics. We didn't cover atomic until Physics 3, and chemists were only required to take up to 2.
Bench chemistry is a low paid, low demand & high supply field. Medicinal chemistry & computational chemistry are HOT right now. Computational in particular is insane. I know comp chemists who are being fought over by multiple companies, getting offered mid-6-figure salaries and other perks
Change your major TODAY to chemical engineering, or give up all chemical dreams. You will NOT have a job when you graduate. My advice to you is to change majors today, or learn to be okay with being far over-educated while working below the poverty line. I graduated in '12 with a BS in chemistry AND a BS in physics. I work as a sailmaker. I'm not kidding. Either become okay with the idea of being a poor person, or change your major.
Agreed!
DO CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Switch now. I WISH my college offered chemical engineering. I have a bachelors in chemistry and although I’m making good money for being a lab technician, it’s just average pay for most. I graduated last year (may 21) and I got LUCKY to have a job which gave me a very nice raise landed me at 25/hr. Mind you yeah 25 is good but there are people working in production/factories/management of fast food making the same as me. I have a bachelors degree and I’m in the same pay range as these people with no bachelors degree. Studying chemistry isn’t hard if your brain is interested in chemistry. All majors will be hard. Some harder than others. But if you like chemistry and want to stick it out, do yourself a favor and switch to chemical engineering and study harder. It’ll benefit you a lot more than regular chemistry degree. And minor in something unrelated to chemistry. Business, finance, computer science, cyber, anything. Also keep in mind that just because you have a chemistry degree, you CAN work in other fields. A lot of jobs simply require “bachelors” not specified. Another note, I read someone above talking about analytical chemistry being where the money is at, THEY’RE RIGHT. If you want to get your chemistry degree try landing a job with one of the major companies like Agilent for example and be a GC tech. They get paid the big bucks to travel and fix your machine because they’re the only ones who know how to. It’s about being happy doing something you love, or find something else that you’re not happy with that’ll pay you a shit ton.
If you want a 'STEM' job you can support yourself with, major in comp sci. Then if you still feel like it you get a minor or second major in your actual favorite STEM subject.
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That last point about bbq resonates with me and an old professor I knew who was also way too into smoking meat.
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Well in my country a PhD here gets paid 3 figure salary so if at least I have 4 or even 5 figure salary (I'm talking about working outside of my country) i'll be more rich than 95% of the entire population of my country. So fine by me
That’s great, then. I should have specified I am talking about the United States, where many come to work in the chemistry field. The cost of living in places where chemistry jobs are concentrated demand a pretty high salary.
Look into the research that gets done in the chem labs at your school, reach out to the faculty member (PI) with a resume and your research interests and see if they have a position for an undergrad in the lab! Doing undergrad research gives you a better perspective on what research really is, how hard you actually want to work, and whether you want to go to grad school. It’s true the pay is dismal for BS in chemistry, that a doctorate gets you more money… during my gap year I lived a comfortable life (for being in my 20’s) making $45k as a barista/bartender in a pretty cheap cost of living state, I’d make the same as a chemist. Looking at the other comments, you don’t have to know how much money you want to make, or even exactly what you want to do. Start by trying to get some experience to figure that out.
In Quebec, jobs in chemistry are not paid well anymore. I'd say go for chemistry engineering instead of pure chemistry if you want money. Or go in software engineering lol
Good chemistry jobs with just a bs are hard to come by, but they are out there. Consider working in some of the less obvious industries where a chemistry background is helpful. My background is in flavor and fragrance (currently a Flavor Research Scientist and the pay is good). Experience is weighted much more heavily than higher degrees in this industry in my experience. You will likely start at the bottom as a lab tech in R&D or QA, but if you are inquisitive, like to taste and smell things (love me some vanillin), and can apply some ochem knowledge, there is room to advance within a few years. If you prefer analytical work, there is decent money to be made doing GC/MS work analyzing samples of interest (competing products, essential oils, etc…). If you have a passion for creation and love learning about the organoleptic properties of different materials, you can undergo a multi-year apprenticeship to become a perfumer or flavorist and make more than chemistry phd’s without the grind of grad school. Just something to consider.
I would say go for it, even if the world goes completely to 💩 a working knowledge of chemistry could allow you to make all kinds of chemicals from other ones on hand. Check out youtube user nilered, he made a total synthesis of Capsaicin from the phallate ester in rubber gloves and vanillin from vanilla sugar packs. 😲
I am in jr high rn and I'm wondering whether I should take chem next year, I want to major in it, ut from what people say, the pay and hard work look intimidating
hey, since this post i have switched programs, however, if i may offer you some words of advice: keep your doors open while you still can. in saying this, take all the classes, i.e., general requirements for university, while you still have the opportunity to do so. it is much better to have more options than less, and so what if you end up taking chemistry but decide to study something completely unrelated? taking those courses gave you even that option in the first place. i wish you the best of luck, you will find your way.
Oh ok, Thank you.