Why did I choose Chemistry:
It was secondary to Chemical Engineering, which was a heavier option back in high school.
About my college education:
Chemistry is not just about the periodic table and who arranged it, or how to make soap from lye, or how carbon exists in different forms.
Chemistry is as diverse as you can see it. Its scope can range from drugs, bacteria, natural products and medicines, environment, culinary, inorganic chemicals, etc. etc. etc... In short, chemistry spans everything else.
Most difficult subject for me was Quantum Chemistry, which gave me the lowest grade back in College, although still passing.
Most useful things I learned: Patience. Honesty (do not "doctor" results!). Teamwork. Dedication.
My current job:
I am a Laboratory Analyst working in the largest Petroleum Refinery in the Philippines.
I am assigned in the Power Plant arm of the refinery, so I handle coal, petroleum coke, fly ash and bottom ash samples, and also water and wastewater analysis.
Not only that, I supervise the laboratory and make sure everything is working well, chemical and supplies inventory is above normal, and other management stuff.
Am I using what I learned in college:
Although I am not doing reaction mechanisms and not handling Grignard's reagent now, the values I learned from my 4-year BS Chemistry experience are all with me and they keep me grounded in my current job.
How long did it take to find a job:
I graduated in April 2009.
Started reviewing for the boards [for 3 months] in May.
Took the exam in September. Got the results the following day. Sent out application letters and e-mailed different companies within that week.
Got a call from an employer within a week, was subjected to interviews the following day, and had Day 1 on that company after 5 days.
Oh yeah.
Do I recommend studying Chemistry:
Now that the Chemistry Law has been passed (requiring all chemical companies and industries to have at least 1 registered chemist to make their existence legal), the demand for Chemists has drastically increased and reached a new high. In fact, it is difficult to hire a licensed chemist now, since not many are interested to take it in College, but most companies do require one now.
Entry Level is 16K - 20K, depending on the company. As you go up, of course salary would increase also.
Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course:
The most useful traits if somebody would like to take this up are:
Good study habits (you can't sit pretty and not study and yet expect to pass the exams, because you won't)
Unselfishness (share what you learn. Studying Chemistry is harder if you do it alone. Reason our batch had the highest number of registered Chemists after graduation and board exams was because we loved to study in groups and sharing our knowledge and how we understood what we have studied individually beforehand.)
Fearlessness (don't be afraid to ask. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to do an authorized experiment. Don't be afraid of the numbers and symbols and reagents and reaction mechanisms.don't be afraid of anything Chemistry.)
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