tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post9166570476582854861..comments2024-03-27T21:23:40.339-04:00Comments on Chemjobber: A happy post?Chemjobberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15932113680515602275noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-64852813177525509452011-04-10T14:50:02.009-04:002011-04-10T14:50:02.009-04:00As a theoretical/ physical chemist, I do not look ...As a theoretical/ physical chemist, I do not look in flasks and worry about yields and safety goggles. However the Eureka factor is the same. It is also good to have supportive colleagues and motivated students, but what happens when you divert from the "party line" in your research? You quickly find yourself isolated. <br /><br />I love what I do too, wouldn't change for anything, but if you buck the trend or find something that undermines the work of others, you soon find that collegiality suffers.Bryan's quantum bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06486304788411128780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-23172837434459993062011-04-10T00:47:42.181-04:002011-04-10T00:47:42.181-04:00Dear all, and thank you MQ andCJ.This is rather a ...Dear all, and thank you MQ andCJ.This is rather a hopeful post. I am finishing MS and wondering what life would be after graduate school.ChemGradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18304732744053614163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-69388316445981517652011-04-08T18:33:21.749-04:002011-04-08T18:33:21.749-04:00Seems to be a lot of pessimism around Pharma/Organ...Seems to be a lot of pessimism around Pharma/Organic/Biotech. I'm graduating with a graduate degree in p chem... feelings from anyone out there about that side of the industry?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-37364560124012807432011-04-08T18:28:30.489-04:002011-04-08T18:28:30.489-04:00I agree with Chemjobber's answer to that last ...I agree with Chemjobber's answer to that last question. Chemistry is not going to make anyone very wealthy or secure. It's a tumultuousness profession that requires a huge amount of dedication. It's more of a religion than a career anymore. It takes a lot of faith and sacrifice to keep going even when everyone is saying the JOBS just don't exist.<br /><br />I know people that are in their 20's making >$100K. They have job security, stable incomes and can live where they want. Many had to make the decision to study science or something that would offer a more stable living. They like science, but know they weren't cut out for the tradeoffs and devotion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-80334227890099110562011-04-08T11:12:41.489-04:002011-04-08T11:12:41.489-04:00I, too, am proud to call myself a synthetic organi...I, too, am proud to call myself a synthetic organic chemist, even though most of my family still can't figure out what that means. Most of them just say "he makes drugs", which I'd put at maybe 70% accurate (5% CI). <br /><br />I would say that chemistry, and especially synthetic or medicinal chemistry, is not exactly the sexy field it was when I first got into this gig. I'm proud to have a PhD, but it hasn't exactly been the boon to further prospects I once believed.<br /><br />However, I'd like to echo Chemjobber's sentiments: I like most of the folks I work with, and it's good to come to work most mornings. I also believe (as does CJ) that a little bit of elbow grease and extra journal reading will pay off someday, even if not in the short term.<br /><br />Overall, not a terrible life. Perspective is key.See Arr Ohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-20950080523608497402011-04-08T10:40:26.484-04:002011-04-08T10:40:26.484-04:00Ummm ... I love synthetic organic chemistry but th...Ummm ... I love synthetic organic chemistry but the reality is that 99% of synthetic organic chemistry is the conversion of pure "easily-found-or-purchase(d) carbon-based molecules" into toxic waste. You could say that about all the synthetic sub-disciplines. We love our crystalline products (I still get a kick out of precipitating salt crystals) but most of our work is destined for the sewer or a third tier journal. There is the sense though, that in chemistry, at least doing something (even if it is derivative) for the first time will make us eternal. If you are the first to make Obscuran-2-ol from Obscurane whenever someone works on the system they will have to read and value your work ... forever. I just had to reference a Speed Marvel JACS paper from 1937 on the catalytic removal of an impurity using NEt3. How cool is that?Liberal Arts Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15596792160119000781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-39970598876370262032011-04-08T10:07:46.715-04:002011-04-08T10:07:46.715-04:00I've got a PhD and did a postdoc, and I'm ...I've got a PhD and did a postdoc, and I'm a synthetic organic chemist as well, working in carbon-based nanomaterials R&D. I should qualify that I love the science of chemistry, but I really hate the business of chemistry (and science in general). I don't necessarily have regrets that I chose the career path that I did, but when I have friends who were making as much 10 years ago with a BS in computers or business that I'm making now after all that school and training (and of course, they're making even more now), it *is* disheartening. The ratio of rewards to education is definitely not skewed in favor of chemists (or most scientists) so you have to make sure you REALLY love it and want to commit to it.Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00995446830373688742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-44568919366340098392011-04-08T10:01:47.206-04:002011-04-08T10:01:47.206-04:00There are a lot of negative comments on that post,...There are a lot of negative comments on that post, but it also doesn't appear as though there are many PhDs posting on there either. I can say that I do enjoy being a chemist. Granted, I did get a little burned out during graduate school, but now that I am a professor (in a professional program) my passion for chemistry is starting to rekindle. It's like falling in love all over again...well maybe not exactly, but it is close.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-9743247912722211412011-04-08T08:29:49.877-04:002011-04-08T08:29:49.877-04:00hi there. I wonder whether I could translate this ...hi there. I wonder whether I could translate this post into Chinese and post it on my blog with the traceback? You know blogger has been blocked in China. I wish my friends could read these ideas and got to know more about chemisry.dofinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970541193564885545noreply@blogger.com