A Chemist's Life: Fun, Frustrating, and Rewarding

By Maioranaa

I've had an amazing career but also a very unusual one. I lived in Hawaii for 5 years, started a medical writing business, got an MBA and worked in project management and quality improvement. Now I live in Japan. However, I’m not at all ignorant of the threats facing the pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries today. The job market was becoming saturated, pharmacist salaries were getting lower, and I started my medical writing business partly to avoid such challenges.

When I was in college, chemistry was a subject we all liked. However, the reality of being a chemist can be quite different. It's sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, sometimes risky, and even sometimes fatal. It's a profession that reflects all aspects of life.

Is being a chemist fun?

To be a chemist is a gratifying experience when you put your knowledge to practical use. Specialize in the branch you love the most, develop one or two unique products using that knowledge, start a small business around it, and sell it to a large company. Then, you can enjoy life. However, if you're thinking about majoring in chemistry, this is the kind of life you might be looking at.

Chemist vs. English Major

I had originally wanted to be an English major so I could be a writer. I do not regret my decision to go into chemistry, but it has been a journey so far that has been deeply satisfying, terrifying, and frustrating all at the same time. What has been most surprising is that my goal of wanting to be a writer was accomplished in some ways: I've published plenty of peer-reviewed papers, a thesis, patent applications, and more.

.what does a chemist do?

Chemists can be divided into two categories: those who work on the bench and those who work off the bench.

1. Chemists on the Bench

Working in a lab, making molecules, characterizing things, designing and doing experiments. Cleaning up, working with toxic chemicals, and sometimes even eating the product just to check the taste. Wearing various personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, safety glasses, gloves, and respirators. Examples: Organic synthesis, application testing of new materials, formulation of existing or new materials, doing a series of experiments, doing some sort of analytical testing, handling toxic chemicals, pH testing, etc.

These chemists are often supervised by more experienced or more educated individuals. Even with a Bachelor's degree, one can find work on the bench, typically at positions such as technician, operator, or associate scientist. However, there are people with high school educations who know more about a very particular subset of chemistry than tenured professors with 30 years of teaching experience. They might have to handle really toxic and nasty chemicals, and they could get exposed to lethal doses of chemicals, which can lead to burns, cuts, and other hazards.

2. Chemists Off the Bench

Reading, writing, talking on the phone, going to meetings, traveling, presenting, networking, and telling people to do things for you or teaching. Working in the chemical industry, reading papers, patents, internal reports, and determining what to do in the lab. Academic chemists might be doing original work, knowing the literature, and ensuring they are not infringing on active patents. Examples: Reading and interpreting scientific papers, preparing presentations, attending conferences, writing research papers, and handling regulatory filings.

Is It Worth It?

Applying the Bench/Offbench terminology, there is a spectrum, with 100 representing working on the bench and positions ranging from technician, operator, or associate scientist. This spectrum can illustrate the different types of work in chemistry.

Conclusion

Being a chemist can be a challenging but rewarding career. While it may not always be the most glamorous or easiest profession, the opportunity to contribute to society and potentially save lives is incredibly rewarding. Whether you are on the bench or off the bench, the role of a chemist is crucial in advancing science, developing new products, and improving the overall quality of life.

Keywords: Chemist, Career in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science