Career Outlook for Masters + Diverse Research Experience?

[lellies]

Hey everyone. I just graduated this past May with a BS in chemistry and an AS in mathematics after only getting into one of the schools I applied to for a PhD in p-chem/biophysics (I only applied to top programs with no backups, as I was assured I would have no trouble getting in as a strong student/researcher). Due to foreseen funding issues with the project most interesting to me, I decided to not put myself in a potentially bad situation and declined the offer. I graduated at the top of my class in chemistry with awards/honors, and my undergrad university offered me a research assistantship (no teaching responsibility, unless there is a shortage of TAs) to fund my two-year Masters in Chemistry.

 

After doing some serious thinking over the summer, I realized that maybe a PhD is not for me, as academia was my goal, but I know faculty positions are becoming harder and harder to secure. I have decided not to reapply for PhD programs this coming season, but to finish the MS and go find a job. I spent so much time looking up information on career outlooks for PhDs, that I know little of the actual situation (aside from ACS statistics) for BS and MS chemists.

 

Here's a little bit about my research experience:

-4 semesters and 2 summers working in a biophysical chemistry lab. I became proficient with circular dichroism, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV, fluorescence, as well as a lot of surface modification techniques; of course there was a lot of data analysis (Igor pro and Mathematica). 

-I am currently working on a paper to hopefully submit by September about the aforementioned work. I am first author (out of three). 

 

I am planning to start working under a different prof. for my MS to explore other avenues of chemistry. Since I am very math-oriented, I chose to stick with physical chemistry, but will be working for a computational chemistry group. Is this a bad idea? I am hoping that the diverse experience will boost my resume, but I know the "laissez faire" nature of computational work might not be attractive to employers in industry. Keep in mind I have 2 school years and 2 summers in the biophysical chem lab under my belt. Plus, all of my hands-on experience is in spectroscopic techniques, with only limited experience in chromatography. 

 

Will I be able to secure a job after I leave with my MS? Should I stay away from computational work for my thesis? Any advice is appreciated. In return, I can offer tips about the upcoming application season, having gone through 5 or 6 applications last season. Thanks a lot in advance. I can supply additional information if needed for a better idea (GPA, courses taken, etc.).

 

EDIT: I also plan to sharpen my skills in Python and learn other programming languages before I'm done with the MS. I'm still a noob with Python, but I'm trying to teach myself at a steady pace 

Edited August 7, 2014 by lellies

[geographyrocks]

Here's what I always do:

Go to job websites and type in chemistry masters.

http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Chemistry+masters&l=&radius=25.

Hopefully that link works. Then I look at the most interesting jobs and see if I will qualify when I graduate.

Just an idea...

[Vene]

I'm wary of masters degrees myself. FYI, CEN reports that chemists with a MS have higher unemployment than chemists with a BA/BS. That could be because of random variability, but either way it doesn't seem to give an advantage over a bachelors degree.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Vene

[lellies]

I'm wary of masters degrees myself. FYI, CEN reports that chemists with a MS have higher unemployment than chemists with a BA/BS. That could be because of random variability, but either way it doesn't seem to give an advantage over a bachelors degree.

 

Going off of the statistics on the webpage you provided, I'm not sure a 0.4% difference is definitive enough to make the claim that the MS is unfavorable to the BS; I think they are on more level playing fields with each other, which agrees with your statement that there is no clear-cut advantage (besides earnings). In 2012, BS chemists were unemployed by 0.5% more, so I would agree that it is random variability.

 

Can anyone comment on how my research experience (both past and upcoming) will play into future job security? Thanks to those who have answered already. I am worried that my next two years being spent working in computational chemistry for the MS may cost me job opportunities in industry.

[SymmetryOfImperfection]

Don't worry. You have a computational/physical background. Emphasize that. You aren't the average guy whose scared of math and computers.

 

Don't be afraid of non-technical jobs in business.

Edited August 11, 2014 by SymmetryOfImperfection

[biochemistry professor]

Not many computational jobs in science. The majority of science jobs require lab skills, and you will be heavily disadvantaged. However, computational skills open the door to a wider variety of non-science related jobs involving math and computers.

[lellies]

Don't worry. You have a computational/physical background. Emphasize that. You aren't the average guy whose scared of math and computers.

 

Don't be afraid of non-technical jobs in business.

 

I always hear about people in chemistry/physics going into business, but what sort of jobs exactly? I'm open to the idea, I'm just unsure of what exactly I would be doing in that environment. I know it's because the analytical/mathematical background in chemistry and physics is helpful, but what are the actual positions usually occupied by these types of people?

 

Not many computational jobs in science. The majority of science jobs require lab skills, and you will be heavily disadvantaged. However, computational skills open the door to a wider variety of non-science related jobs involving math and computers.

 

You don't think a first-author publication from a biophysics lab which I spent 2.5-3 years in would be significant in this regard? I know this would possibly be the case if I were a comp. chem PhD looking for non-academic positions, but I'm curious how my ~3 years of actual bench work will play in. Do you think it will help?

 

Thanks so far for the responses guys, you're being very helpful!

[SymmetryOfImperfection]

I always hear about people in chemistry/physics going into business, but what sort of jobs exactly? I'm open to the idea, I'm just unsure of what exactly I would be doing in that environment. I know it's because the analytical/mathematical background in chemistry and physics is helpful, but what are the actual positions usually occupied by these types of people?

 

 

You don't think a first-author publication from a biophysics lab which I spent 2.5-3 years in would be significant in this regard? I know this would possibly be the case if I were a comp. chem PhD looking for non-academic positions, but I'm curious how my ~3 years of actual bench work will play in. Do you think it will help?

 

Thanks so far for the responses guys, you're being very helpful!

 

One of my classmates worked as a back office analyst in derivatives before the crisis. He doesn't like to talk about his job too much.

 

I saw an ad passed around my department looking for semiconductor market researchers.

 

Just remember: science is not just a science job with the title of "scientist" or "professor". Science can also mean an engineering, technical consulting or market research job. Don't be scared to apply to engineering positions if they fit your skillset and you have a listed degree - you have nothing to lose. Remember you have both the biophysics lab and the quantitative experience.

[biochemistry professor]

You'd competing against other MS graduates with recent MS level research experience. The decision to pursue a computational degree may be interpreted as a choice to move away from experimental work.

 

 

You don't think a first-author publication from a biophysics lab which I spent 2.5-3 years in would be significant in this regard? I know this would possibly be the case if I were a comp. chem PhD looking for non-academic positions, but I'm curious how my ~3 years of actual bench work will play in. Do you think it will help?

 

 

[SymmetryOfImperfection]

You'd competing against other MS graduates with recent MS level research experience. The decision to pursue a computational degree may be interpreted as a choice to move away from experimental work.

 

This is sort of sad, how learning new things is considered a deviation, rather than a way to broaden one's knowledge.

[lellies]

This is sort of sad, how learning new things is considered a deviation, rather than a way to broaden one's knowledge.

 

Agreed, it's a sign of the economic times we live in, I guess. I'm not letting that derail me though, I've already decided I want to focus on a computational project for my MS thesis. 3 years in an experimental lab with a 1st author publication should be enough to prove that I know my hands-on chemistry, and any employer who automatically dismisses me because I did not do a MS with the same group is devoid of reason, and possibly not someone who I'd want to work for anyway. Just my two cents, of course.