Chemistry majors underpaid?

Question

I'm majoring in chemistry (which is HARD enough) but i hear we are underpaid........... I dont wanna waste my whole college years studying for an extremly hard major if it doesnt satisfy me financially...

Answer 1

Yes, but as a Chemist can't you always bootleg prescription drugs that are far too over priced and wouldn't this, if done under proper conditions, be considered a benefit to society?

Answer 2

you just have to get the right job.  I started off as a lab tech after I got my degree.  It was pretty cool work but it didn't pay well.  But I kept at it for a few months and when a supervisor position opened up in the production facility I went for it and got it.  I love it and they pay pretty darn well.  You gotta get a foot in the door first and when they realize you are a good worker, you'll be set!

Answer 3

Maybe you should become an accountant. Or a Doctor.

Answer 4

On the one hand, a technical education will stand you in good stead in much of the business world, since there are fewer and fewer of them (per capita) in the USA

On the otherhand, you apparently believe the the term "underpaid" has meaning.  This implies a weak analytical ability and suggests you may not be suited for a technical career.

My best advice is to find a major you enjoy.  Secondarily, find a major you do well with.  And thirdly, a major with excellent job prospects.

If you are struggling as an undergraduate chem major, you should  consider changing majors since graduate degrees allow much better job prospects (esp. PhD's) and you may not have the chops.

You can have a great income starting from the BS of BA degree, but by being involved in the people game, rather than the chemistry game.

Entrepreneur, sales, management - or get real lucky and invent the next viagra.  Chances are, with just a bachelors, you won't be in chemistry in 5 - 10 years -- its just a stepping stone.