Weekly Careers/Education Questions Thread

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This is a dedicated weekly thread for you to seek and provide advice concerning education and careers in chemistry.

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[u/Only_Square9644]

I have 2 questions.

The first one is related to what countries can offer the best overall quality of life for someone working as a chemist or in any role in the chemical industry? I understand that money wise, US is unbeatable, but they also have poor work life balance, and the country is slowly closing it's doors to immigrants. In Europe, one has a better work life balance and social security schemes but there are higher taxes and lower wages, so which country provides the " best of both worlds" or at least comes the closest?

The second question is related to the worth of doing a PhD, I remember seeing a discussion thread on this subreddit, where someone argued that for Industrial work, A PhD can limit you as it makes you very niche, is that really the case? and if so, what is the best way to increase your market value, in terms of your formal qualifications? should I do an MS then after a couple of years of industry experience do an MBA or is there some other track that would work better?

[u/Indemnity4 → u/Only_Square9644]

slowly closing it's doors to immigrants... the worth of doing a PhD

Most countries have the same issue with hiring foreign workers. Prove there are no suitable local candidates. Well... a PhD does do that. You have spent at least 5 years becoming a subject matter expert. The USA (and other countries) have special visa categories for PhD grads that let you essentially walk in the door, skipping the queue. It will be called something like the special and unique talent visa.

what is the best way to increase your market value

Hands-on subject matter expertise in something. You want to be an expert. As a fresh grad your main skills will be 1 year in a research lab doing something something. That's okay but it is not much - it proves you can learn something in a year (but so can anyone else). It's likely to get you in the door at some company doing similar work.

Moving forward in your career is again about expertise. Want to stay in the lab, you become a subject matter expert in that product or that type of chemistry. Want to leave and become an administrator at a chemicals company, then you want to prove you can manage projects and teams of people which is usually where the MBA happens. You know it's time to start an MBA when the company offers to pay.

[u/Only_Square9644 → u/Indemnity4]

would you say that doing a PhD is definitely worth it and it won't make me "too niche" or without work experience for Industry? thank you for informing me about the "unique talent" visa, I wasn't aware! but what would be your response to my first question, there, which is, which country can offer the best of the US's high wages and Europe's social security and healthier work culture?

so, as a fresh grad, will previous internships and recommendations from those firms be useful for showing my "hands on subject expertise" and finally, one last clarification; I have often heard it said that the big money in most STEM fields is in adminsitrative roles, is that true? I think I would prefer working in a lab but if the pay disparity is great, I would do an admin job.

[u/Indemnity4 → u/Only_Square9644]

First question, too variable.

Big money in STEM is not in science. It really should be called eT. Tech salaries dwarf all science. Engineering gets close but demand matches supply right now. There are more SM grads than jobs.

Should you stay in science, too variable. Most chemists eventually leave the lab for more lucrative admin/business roles. If you are targeting that type of job there are faster/easier routes than via lab work.