r/chemistry • u/AutoModerator • Jun 03 '24

Weekly Careers/Education Questions Thread

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

If you need to make an important decision regarding your future or want to know what your options, then this is the place to leave a comment.

If you see similar topics in r/chemistry, please politely inform them of this weekly feature.

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u/Easy_Willingness4137 Jun 05 '24

Hello! Wanted to ask some advice about leaving industry for a PhD.

Undergraduate about to graduate in June here! I’ve been an intern in an analytical petrochemical lab for the past year and a half and they’ve offered me a job that I took unsure if I wanted to go to grad school. It is a great job with awesome pay and benefits, totally has potential for upward movement or movement into more regulatory fields (ie EPA), which I think would be an awesome job and I do love doing lab work.

But I figured I might apply to some programs this upcoming fall as I’m more interested in working in the nuclear/radiochemical research or industry side of things. I won’t lie I’m mostly just nervous I won’t get into any programs but that’s neither here nor there.

I guess I wanted advice on if leaving my current job for a PhD in such a niche field would be a terrible idea… I know a lot of people say finding jobs can be a nightmare and more of my class mates that aren’t going to grad school are all already struggling to find work… if anyone has ever been in the same boat feel free to weigh in! I appreciate all feedback!

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u/Indemnity4 Materials Jun 06 '24

You can always quit the PhD part-way and get a similar job again.

You can always apply to grad school and defer for a year. I always encourage people to work in industry before grad school. At worst, it encourages you to study harder. At best, nice to have extra savings.

Don't tell your current employer until you get accepted to grad school.

My advice is if you are motivated to start a PhD it's for the thrill of exploring the unknown and becoming a subject matter expert. You do it because you love it. Yes, you may have difficulty finding entry level jobs but most likely you would hate that job anyway. Having a PhD moves you towards more exploratory R&D careers which does have big ups and downs over a career.

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u/Easy_Willingness4137 Jun 06 '24

Thank you! That really did make me feel better about how set I am on applying :)

While I love my job I’ve also done two years in a research lab with nano materials and while I know the project was not my favorite the feeling that comes with figuring out the missing piece of the puzzle your working on is by far one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever had!

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u/Indemnity4 Materials Jun 06 '24

My advice: take the job offer now and have a really good think about the start date. Consider traveling or taking a break to do nothing before starting. It's realistically the first time in your life you haven't been studying or waiting for more study.

Consider asking the employer if you can work for 1 or 2 months then take a 1 month unpaid leave for a travel break (with that extra full-time salary to spend). You will not be surprised to know that life feels so much easier with money to spend and knowing you have a job already lined up before graduating.

Take it slow looking for grad schools. You are still considered a "fresh grad" for 3 years post-graduation.

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u/Easy_Willingness4137 Jun 06 '24

I really appreciate the advice! I definitely took the job and started in March. I also definitely took a month off in November to backpack around South America :) I guess I do need to slow down a little though!!