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Misconceptions About Chemistry Career Paths Harris Teaching Workshop-2012

Misconceptions About Chemistry Career Paths Harris Teaching Workshop-2012 Concepts and Misconceptions in Chemistry. Misconceptions about Chemistry Careers. S tudents cannot conceive of jobs other than working in the lab. Chemist = Bench work

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Misconceptions About Chemistry Career Paths Harris Teaching Workshop-2012

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  1. Misconceptions About Chemistry Career Paths Harris Teaching Workshop-2012 Concepts and Misconceptions in Chemistry

  2. Misconceptions about Chemistry Careers Students cannot conceive of jobs other than working in the lab. Chemist = Bench work Students who excel in chemistry courses do not want to take chemistry as a career because they see limited options Master’s degree = something went wrong in the PhD PhD = “Dr.” title is expensive; highly specialized and focussed

  3. Reality & Suggestions • Chemistry is not always bench work • Premier employers in Alberta suggest B.Sc. (Hons) or specialization in Chemistry • B.Sc. chemists can supplement their qualifications with other degrees (e.g. law, MBA) • Plenty of alternative & non- traditional careers • Successful technical writers, patent officers

  4. Career Options for Chemists (ACS)

  5. Reality & Suggestions • The perception about master’s degree in chemistry is changing • Master’s degree is no longer a consolation prize • Skilled & qualified M.S. chemistry degree holders may be preferred by industries • Scientists in companies can be B.Sc, M.S or PhDs degree holders

  6. PhD in Chemistry Nature, 2011 40% increase in the # of PhDs in last 10 years "I see a PhD not just as the mastery of a discipline, but also training of the mind," CE&N, 2011- Doctoral dilemma “The skills one acquires with a Ph.D.—problem solving, troubleshooting, efficiency—can be applicable outside of chemical research”

  7. Suggestions for PhD Chemists • Avoid labelling yourself; transferrable skills matter the most. • Networking is very critical in securing jobs • Academic jobs: unique and independent thinkers. • Uniqueness: Do not choose to post-doc in exactly same area as your PhD • Independent thinking: Revisiting fundamental ideas.

  8. Role of Professional Societies • Canadian scientific societies are recognizing the importance of organizing themselves along the same lines as engineering societies like APEGA • ACPA = Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta • Right to title and practice • P.Chem. = Professional chemist • C.I.T = Chemist in training

  9. Misconceptions About Chemistry Career Paths Harris Teaching Workshop-2012 Concepts and Misconceptions in Chemistry

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