Interested in chemistry, what careers are availible to me?

College Majors Science Majors
1

Hi everyone! Right now, I really don’t have a set career in mind for my future. I’ve always thought of something in computer science, or something with chemistry or medicine.

I’m currently a junior in high school. I took pre-ap chemistry this year (because I was an idiot and took earth science as a freshman). Although its a class that others absolutely hate, I seem to enjoy chemistry for some reason. I did pretty bad first semester and only got a B average, but I really stepped it up second semester and am on the way to an A for the year.

I’m starting to think of pursuing chemistry in college. I love how chemistry has this reputation at my school for being an extremely hard class. Everyone at my school in pre ap chem complain about how hard and boring it is. The AP chem program at my school also has this NOTORIOUS reputation for being extremely difficult. Supposedly a vast majority of students are doing bad in the class, and only a select few have A’s. Many students have blamed the teacher for the difficulty of the class. Others have said that the course is just impossible.

As of right now, I’m planning on taking AP chemistry next year. I’m well aware of the difficulties I will face. There’s a high chance that I won’t manage an A in the class, and it will bring down my GPA. However, there’s just something about chemistry that I like. The fact that the class has this notorious reputation for being difficult only motivates me more to take the class. I want to try to be one of the few students to get an A in the class and a 5 on the exam. You shouldn’t settle for a B or C just because everyone else is, you have to strive to be the few people that get an A. Even if I don’t do well in the class, at least I’ll know before college that chemistry isn’t for me.

What do you guys think? What options does a chemistry major in college have in terms of careers? The only jobs I can think of off the top of my head are chemists, pharmacists, and chemical engineers. Are there any other jobs that someone interested in chemistry can get that pay well?

2

You know… Breaking Bad.

3

You need to do one of the professional school programs rather than chemistry grad school to have any sort of viable career with a chemistry degree. Otherwise you can look forward to crappy temp job h#ll.

This guy’s video is very accurate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ghTNpY22OA

4

Right after I made this post I started searching google about chem degrees and I almost cried. Seems like my only viable option right now is computer science or pharmacy school if I REALLY love chemistry.

Supposedly, computer science is one of those fields where you can make something like $70,000 right after graduation. Also, it jumps up to six figures after a couple years of experience.

It really does sound logical that someone like me, who can’t choose between chemistry or computer science, would choose computer science. Why wouldn’t you choose the major in a field with many more jobs and a much higher salary?

5

You don’t have to choose. Double majoring is always an option, or if that’s too hard there’s the option of minoring in chemistry, or taking random chemistry classes to satisfy your curiosity.

You can also learn the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in chemistry (without the labs) by watching these videos:
http://ocw.uci.edu/openchem/