Selling out

[Az]

Since it seems more and more that a career in the sciences will never pay, and most of the jobs aren't going to be what I dreamed of, it is time to reconsider my options, i.e. a shift in career and education, with my upcoming BA in chemistry (finals in less than two weeks) probably giving me some/ a lot of backup knowledge/experience/academic credit points.

Obviously, the rule of thumb is - if you sell out, do it for some good money, because otherwise, you're just stupid.

To add to all the trouble, my education will have to be parallel to my military service, so I'll have limited time to study. The sweet deal is that it seems that my future army boss doesn't seem to mind me getting educated. In fact, he rather incourages it.

I am considering three paths, with perhaps a fourth one.

-Degree in Electrical Engineering, going to electronics, getting my sweet paycheck. My BA in chemistry could get me some credit in physics, math, QM, and stuff like that. It seems that it also adds up nicely when going on and getting a job, perhaps in the semiconductor bussiness.

-Going to Medical school - should be a solid paycheck when I am done + opportunity to go into research, including microbiology, what I wanted in the first place, and I 'll be doing a good thing, so it's not selling out at all, really.

-Going into Biochemistry, and Grad School. It's the straight line option. Problem is, when I get my M.Sc., what then? bore ass job, that has nothing to do with what I really want to do. a Ph.D.? lots of work, and again, unbrilliant research job prespects, unless I am staying in academia.

-(The WTF Option) getting me an economics degree. Going into stocks. long shot. dying inside. also, selling out your principles, besides selling your personal dreams.


So, what should I do?!


...

Good times.

[Urban Ranger]

It looks like you have already decided.

[BeBMan]

Don't take the WTF option

[Provost Harrison]

Nice thread Az, at least you've realised this early unlike me. I am managing to get a decent existence out of science now, but I am nearly thirty and I am not as wealthy as some of my peers, not by a long way.

One of the most socially rewarding options may be teaching, I don't quite know how that pays in Israel though, it's nothing fantastic over here although not too bad either.

And then there's accountancy - seems to pay a pretty decent living and you don't have to be quite as big a bastard sell-out as being a trader would involve.

[Provost Harrison]

Don't bother with the biochemistry route...I am a biochemist by degree, and what am I by profession? You got it, a chemist! That never really lead me anywhere at all.

But as I said, accountancy...worth looking at.

[Dinner]

First of all if you're going to stay in the sciences then get a B.Sc. and not a BA as it is much more marketable. Second of all as a man who works in a science field for a living I recommend getting a master's degree if you are serious because it is real hard to get into management without one. I myself am going to have to go to grad school part time if I want to get ahead or if I ever want to go off on my own and start a consultancy.

[Japher]

I'd say Med. School

or, though not an option, porn ala MRT

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Japher


or, though not an option, porn ala MRT

With herpes as a bonus ? Ugh.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Oerdin
First of all if you're going to stay in the sciences then get a B.Sc. and not a BA as it is much more marketable. Second of all as a man who works in a science field for a living I recommend getting a master's degree if you are serious because it is real hard to get into management without one. I myself am going to have to go to grad school part time if I want to get ahead or if I ever want to go off on my own and start a consultancy.

Many countries dont seperate BA from BSc so a BA in chemistry is the same as a BSc.

Az - think about an MBA and big pharma - not doing research but managing it, it pays way more than being a scientist.

[Japher]

Az - think about an MBA and big pharma - not doing research but managing it, it pays way more than being a scientist.

That's what I'm doing. Signing up for the GMAT... it's a good way to sell out.

[Odin]

Go Biotech:

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Japher


That's what I'm doing. Signing up for the GMAT... it's a good way to sell out.

I'm either doing this or a M.Sc. in Geology. I hear SDSU has a nice part time program for working adults so I just might go with that.

[Gangerolf]

do the microbiology thing, if that is what you are most interested in

follow your interests, not the paycheck

[Japher]

it's not just the paycheck, it's power

does he want to be told what he has to do and does he want to decide that for himself?

[Bill3000]

Biomedical Engineering.