Career in chemistry with no degree?

Question

i am beginning to become very frustrated. i have wanted to pursue a career in environmental chemistry/microbiology my entire life. my daughter was born while i was still in high school, so needless to say, because i also wanted to be a mother, i haven't been able to finish my degree.

i have been lucky enough to get some training at laboratories, (i'm familiar with ICP, AA Furnace, TCLP, NPDES, ASTM, etc.), but have now moved back to the pittsburgh area from Los Angeles, and am trying to find a position in an environmental lab in this area.

my bottom line is, yes i suppose i could go back to school to get my degree in chemistry, but i am so irritated that i would have to take all of the general ed. courses. being that i could never attend college full time, i would study, with a fierceness, anything i could get my hands on as far as math, chemistry, physics, etc. i am extremely proficient as far as language arts are concerned, so i am getting extremely frustrated by the fact that if i go back to college, i am going to have to take all of these courses which i feel are going to be a waste of my time and money.

i know that i'm fully capable of pursuing a career in chemistry. it comes so naturally to me. i remember everything i am taught the first time, and i have worked my a** off at home trying to teach myself everything i can.

what should i do in this situation? are there any options available for me to pursue a good career in this field without a degree?

Answer 1

no sorry   u need to get a degree   are u jewish or sumthing thinking u could do this with no degree

Answer 2

Do whatever you need to do to get your education. Once that is done, no matter how long it takes, everything else will take care of itself. Education will change your life, even those useless gen ed classes. Believe me, I've done it.

Answer 3

Hi there.  PhD chemist and mother of two here.  Most lab technician jobs require some sort of formal educational training, especially the larger companies, which typically hire BS chemists.  Perhaps the small start-up companies or entry-level positions would hire people with OJT or associates degrees.  However, the pay would be minimal at best.  These days, no matter what field, you need to complete your education.  It's NOT ever a waste of time or money to get a degree.  My advice, if you want to go into chemistry, then take the time upfront and invest 3-4 years to get a BS degree.  A BS degree IMHO will make you more employable and of course, give you a solid platform and skill set to use as a springboard.

Who knows, you could go on to get a Masters or even a PhD.