<p>I've just been accepted to Virginia Tech for a Chemistry degree.
I want to live comfortably and contribute to society via the sciences.
But according to some post I've read on here that may be contradictory.
How many options does a degree in Chemistry give me?
My ideal job is doing something that involves solving problems through making new materials for specific purposes or making more efficient fuel, is this a viable option with a chemistry degree.
Will getting a Masters improve my odds of being successful?
Is minoring or double majoring in business a good idea?
I would really love to avoid regretting my college decision for the rest of my life. Thanks.</p>
<p>Maybe chemical engineering or double major chemical and materials engineering?</p>
<p>[UC</a> Berkeley’s career survey](<a href=“https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Major.stm]UC”>https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Major.stm) indicates that chemical engineering has better job and career prospects than chemistry (but materials science and engineering by itself is not very good).</p>
<p>I have a MSc in Chemistry. I solve problems and feel I contribute to society but I do not live comfortably at all. I have no health insurance sick days or other benefits and can be fired with a single phone call. I earn less than a garbage man and regret getting the degree. I would recommend rethinking your major.</p>
<p>[Working</a> as a Chemist](<a href=“http://chemistry.about.com/u/ua/educationemployment/chemists.htm]Working”>What It's Like Being a Chemist)</p>
<ol>
<li>Getting a job at all even a crap permatemp one is a nightmare. The decent jobs ask for something ridiculously specific like 10 years ink formulations experience. Impossible to get because noone will hire you.</li>
<li>The pay and benefits suck. Not worth going to college at all.</li>
<li>The job security is completely nonexistant.</li>
</ol>
<p>There are many options from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals to food to alternative fuels but they all suck. The only decent option is a job with the Federal Govt, but good luck because everyone want to work for them as the private sector uses chemists like toilet paper,</p>
<p>Just want to pipe in and give some comparison stats for Materials Science versus Chemical Engineering. Here’s the stats for Carnegie Mellon’s [Materials</a> Science & Engineering](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/students_alumni/post-grad-survey/pdf/Materials.pdf]Materials”>http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/students_alumni/post-grad-survey/pdf/Materials.pdf) program, with only one out of 30 students reporting in as still looking for a job (100% response rate). [Chemical</a> Engineering](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/students_alumni/post-grad-survey/pdf/cheme-post-grad-handout-2010.pdf]Chemical”>http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/students_alumni/post-grad-survey/pdf/cheme-post-grad-handout-2010.pdf) had 14 out of 71 students still seeking employment upon graduation (also with a 100% response rate).</p>
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<p>lmao…</p>