Which specilization of science?

[MATHEMATICS]

Which specialization in science will most likely land you a good job if you are not planning to go to medical school etc?

[pitz]

Where's the, "none of the above" button?

Seriously, if the past decade is any indication, the sequelae of most of those programs at the Bachelors level is underemployment, underappreciation, and massive loans and opportunity costs to repay.

[B0000rt]

Where's "Computer" science ;)

Please don't comment on my comment pitz

[pitz]

Please don't comment on my comment pitz

Grow up.

[kkvvpp]

I think you need to look at the area of sciences that you're genuinely interested in? If the ones you listed were all the ones you're interested in then maybe environmental science?

The whole green movement is really going.

Where's the, "none of the above" button?

Seriously, if the past decade is any indication, the sequelae of most of those programs at the Bachelors level is underemployment, underappreciation, and massive loans and opportunity costs to repay.

This is a common theme in all your posts. You need to see a shrink, were you never loved growing up?

You need to get banned from this forum, no one ever gives out worse advice.

[jjfz3000]

Which specialization in science will most likely land you a good job if you are not planning to go to medical school etc?

Chemistry and then go into the energy sector. But you really can't expect a good job with just a BS. People usually get a MS, PhD, or professional school.

I wouldn't count on the green movement too much since there's still not enough money for it by both consumers and governments.

EDIT: I'm not saying you're going to be unemployed. BUT, the high-paying/interesting jobs all require higher education.

[steevee]

Or you can get a post-graduate diploma.

[verteqz]

Where's the, "none of the above" button?

Seriously, if the past decade is any indication, the sequelae of most of those programs at the Bachelors level is underemployment, underappreciation, and massive loans and opportunity costs to repay.

Man, you really need to stop ruining every thread on this forum. I used to think your comments were semi-insightful...now you sound just like you're just trolling.

[Churo1]

What's wrong with Pitz's post? Can't handle the truth? Sucks doesn't it. Too bad for you guys. It will be less painful however is you just accept it.

Careers that science grads have (that I personally know of) include hostesses at small mall restaurants, Timothy's coffee employees, and career unemployment.

[litebrite]

consider food science. there's always food manufacturers wanting to develop new products and food will always be around.

[verteqz]

What's wrong with Pitz's post? Can't handle the truth? Sucks doesn't it. Too bad for you guys. It will be less painful however is you just accept it.

Careers that science grads have (that I personally know of) include hostesses at small mall restaurants, Timothy's coffee employees, and career unemployment.

Short version of every Pitz post in the careers forum:

OP: "Hey guys I need advice on non-engineering related career"
Pitz: "You're doomed"

There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not very useful hearing the same opinion on every thread.

[Justine]

NOT environmental science, speaking from personal experience, you need more schooling.

[Churo1]

Short version of every Pitz post in the careers forum:

OP: "Hey guys I need advice on non-engineering related career"
Pitz: "You're doomed"

There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not very useful hearing the same opinion on every thread.

I don't think this is the case. I've read several of Pitz's posts. He also tells you about the downfalls of engineering careers. He's just being truthful, it's hard these days to find meaningful employment related to the post secondary education people have studied. Science is especially hard. Very hard to break into the industry these days without connections.

[_protege_]

There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about the Science field. You are NOT doomed if you only have a BSc in Biochem, chemistry, microbiology etc etc. However, you ARE doomed if you do not try to get experience during your undergrad, do not improve interview skills, slack during the summer, are not willing to work from the bottom, and give up easily in job searches. Getting a masters would help though, I'm not denying that. Just like in any other field you have to set yourself apart from the competition.

There are many opportunities out there in the sciences: Reseach and Development, QA/QC, regulatory, clinical, production, manufacturing, academia, government, marketing, sales, technical support, customer service, techs, there's prob a bunch I'm missing. R&D opportunities are not that great in Ontario, as a lot of R&D divisions are based in the US.

You have to attempt to grab any and all opportunities that come your way. This means applying to anything and everything related to your field, even if it's far away or not 100% related to what you are learning. We currently have a summer student that moved here to Ottawa from TO for the summer to gain valuable experience. Too many people give up too easily and don't give the needed effort in a job hunt. Networking also helps tremendously. You need to have a positive outlook and keep chugging along. There were many times where I wanted to pack it in, but you have to remind yourself that persistence and dedication pay off eventually.

I was fortunate enough to get great work experience during my 3rd year. However, during that summer I applied to everything I could find, and when I got my interview, I prepared endlessly and tried to showcase myself. That's what an interview is, you have to sell yourself effectively. This comes from interview practice and experience. If you get an interview, you're a candidate and they want you. It's up to you to seal the deal. I also have to mention that you want to make your resume and cover letter top notch. Let others see your resume, and be open to criticism.

I was an external hire in both my 3rd year job and current position in R&D. It goes to show what persistence does. When I graduated, it took me 5 months or so to get a job. I was doing data-entry that summer and at this time the job market was dying. However, I applied to listings on job sites, companies I knew, as well as company listings, one at a time (even if they didn't have a position). Turns out that the company I got a job with is one of the biggest biopharma companies in the world, and I had never even heard of it! I had 2-3 other interviews with Toronto companies where I was in the "leading candidate group", but I didn't get them. But hey this is where you learn why you didn't get the position and what you could do next time to enhance your chances of sealing the deal.

The bottom line is... do everything you can to get work experience during your undergrad because it will be vital. Get your foot in the door any chance you get. Don't listen to the naysayers that believe Science is a dead-end. It's not! There are many opportunities for advancement.

That's all I got to say for now!

[pocketbiscuit]

Which specialization in science will most likely land you a good job if you are not planning to go to medical school etc?

When I went to my program advisor for advice a year or two ago, he said that pharmaceutical companies often hire people to do research. I am in a biology-related program.

I think its better to look at what you are good at first, isn't it? Although I am a science student, I know I could never specialize in physics.

[Churo1]

There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about the Science field. You are NOT doomed if you only have a BSc in Biochem, chemistry, microbiology etc etc. However, you ARE doomed if you do not try to get experience during your undergrad, do not improve interview skills, slack during the summer, are not willing to work from the bottom, and give up easily in job searches. Getting a masters would help though, I'm not denying that. Just like in any other field you have to set yourself apart from the competition.

There are many opportunities out there in the sciences: Reseach and Development, QA/QC, regulatory, clinical, production, manufacturing, academia, government, marketing, sales, technical support, customer service, techs, there's prob a bunch I'm missing. R&D opportunities are not that great in Ontario, as a lot of R&D divisions are based in the US.

You have to attempt to grab any and all opportunities that come your way. This means applying to anything and everything related to your field, even if it's far away or not 100% related to what you are learning. We currently have a summer student that moved here to Ottawa from TO for the summer to gain valuable experience. Too many people give up too easily and don't give the needed effort in a job hunt. Networking also helps tremendously. You need to have a positive outlook and keep chugging along. There were many times where I wanted to pack it in, but you have to remind yourself that persistence and dedication pay off eventually.

I was fortunate enough to get great work experience during my 3rd year. However, during that summer I applied to everything I could find, and when I got my interview, I prepared endlessly and tried to showcase myself. That's what an interview is, you have to sell yourself effectively. This comes from interview practice and experience. If you get an interview, you're a candidate and they want you. It's up to you to seal the deal.

I was an external hire in both my 3rd year job and current position in R&D. It goes to show what persistence does. When I graduated, it took me 5 months or so to get a job. At this time the job market was dying. However, I applied to listings on job sites, companies I knew, as well as company listings, one at a time (even if they didn't have a position). Turns out that the company I got a job with is one of the biggest biopharma companies in the world, and I had never even heard of it! I had 2-3 other interviews with Toronto companies where I was in the "leading candidate group", but I didn't get them. But hey this is where you learn why you didn't get the position and what you could do next time to enhance your chances of sealing the deal.

The bottom line is... do everything you can to get work experience during your undergrad because it will be vital. Get your foot in the door any chance you get. Don't listen to the naysayers that believe Science is a dead-end. It's not! There are many opportunities for advancement.

That's all I got to say for now!

No one said that literally no one gets into the industry. For every person that gets in like yourself there are countless people still looking and desperately searching.

[_protege_]

What's wrong with Pitz's post? Can't handle the truth? Sucks doesn't it. Too bad for you guys. It will be less painful however is you just accept it.

Careers that science grads have (that I personally know of) include hostesses at small mall restaurants, Timothy's coffee employees, and career unemployment.


Careers that science grads have (that I personally know of) include R&D scientists, an R&D manager, and a sales rep. What's your point?

[_protege_]

No one said that literally no one gets into the industry. For every person that gets in like yourself there are countless people still looking and desperately searching.


I'm just trying to give some friendly advice. Anyways, I never said nobody gets in the industry, nor did I imply it. I was trying to point out what you should and shouldn't be doing.

[Churo1]

Carreers that science grads have (that I personally know of) include R&D scientists, an R&D manager, and a sales rep. What's your point?

Point is, for every science grad who gets a job in R&D there are 1000 others salting your fries. I know it sucks dude, but why deny it? It's not exactly a state secret.

[_protege_]

Point is, for every science grad who gets a job in R&D there are 1000 others salting your fries. I know it sucks dude, but why deny it? It's not exactly a state secret.

Well, you didn't make that point in your original post.

Also, R&D isn't the only area for Science grads. 1 in 1000 is quite the exaggeration is it? Maybe the study of science is oversaturated? This is why you have to work that much harder to separate yourself. However, to say a BSc in science is a dead-end because of your personal experience is an exaggeration

[aerolim]

Just work hard and apply for pharmacy school even after you graduate. Honestly, its not that hard to get in. Pretty much all my friends who applied go in and they are not really smart people.. lol.

[aerolim]

Point is, for every science grad who gets a job in R&D there are 1000 others salting your fries. I know it sucks dude, but why deny it? It's not exactly a state secret.

Why the hate for science grads? All my friends who are in science (co-op) programs are getting experience from all areas of science and applying their school knowledge. Some are actually doing better than engineering students. I am sure they will land a pretty good job once they graduate.

[Churo1]

Well, you didn't make that point in your original post.

Also, R&D isn't the only area for Science grads. 1 in 1000 is quite the exaggeration is it? Maybe the study of science is oversaturated? This is why you have to work that much harder to separate yourself. However, to say a BSc in science is a dead-end because of your personal experience is an exaggeration

I didn't want to break this to you because your a young an optimistic naive young lad but I guess the truth must be told.

In Canada, people generally go into science because it was a societal norm to go to university after high school and they felt pressured. They probably only chose a science undergraduate because they disliked science / math the least in high school. I don't know any 18 year old who was so excited about studying science. They generally go into it with the false hopes of exciting prospective careers upon graduation. Then you get into university. You realize that the science and math in university is a lot different than in high school. A lot of pretty dry topics. Sure some people get off on certain topics for a while or so, but let's admit that a lot of this stuff is pretty dry. People become discouraged, but time goes on. They are soon out in the real world. They scramble to get jobs, and there are so many applicants but so little positions available. Generally people have delusions of grandeur for R&D or other related positions. Those not lucky enough (and there are a lot of them) to make it into the industry generally end up doing meaningless and trite jobs for the rest of their lives. Those who break into the industry realize that their dreams were unfounded....turns out jobs in the industry are also lame assed and boring regardless of the pay and the employees are generally tired and miserable.

You can deny the above all you want but that is pretty much the life cycle of the science industry. Turning man into mutant. Truth hurts, believe your new age hippy optimism all you want but the truth still remains.

[nalababe]

I didn't want to break this to you because your a young an optimistic naive young lad but I guess the truth must be told.

In Canada, people generally go into science because it was a societal norm to go to university after high school and they felt pressured. They probably only chose a science undergraduate because they disliked science / math the least in high school. I don't know any 18 year old who was so excited about studying science. They generally go into it with the false hopes of exciting prospective careers upon graduation. Then you get into university. You realize that the science and math in university is a lot different than in high school. A lot of pretty dry topics. Sure some people get off on certain topics for a while or so, but let's admit that a lot of this stuff is pretty dry. People become discouraged, but time goes on. They are soon out in the real world. They scramble to get jobs, and there are so many applicants but so little positions available. Generally people have delusions of grandeur for R&D or other related positions. Those not lucky enough (and there are a lot of them) to make it into the industry generally end up doing meaningless and trite jobs for the rest of their lives. Those who break into the industry realize that their dreams were unfounded....turns out jobs in the industry are also lame assed and boring regardless of the pay and the employees are generally tired and miserable.

You can deny the above all you want but that is pretty much the life cycle of the science industry. Turning man into mutant. Truth hurts, believe your new age hippy optimism all you want but the truth still remains.


Funny, looks like you too can make things up too...

Most of the people who were in Biology, especially in the upper years, absolutely love Biology and the various sub-categories.

The difference that some people cannot understand is that it does not lead directly into a job...and that is difficult for a generation that wants to be spoon fed and believe that University is for training instead of the development of self and critical thought.

Science is not dry...but everyone has likes and dislikes. I loved Genetics and hated Botany, loved developmental biology and hated fuzzy animal biology.

An no, not everyone is dreaming about R&D...and why should one, there is far more money elsewhere...someone good at strategic sales, aided by a science background can make crazy money and have a blast doing it.

At our company, most middle management upwards have science degrees and many biology...many of us will bring home 100+k working roughly 35-40 hours a week. As a note, our finance colleagues are working far more hours, are far more stressed and typically earning less (lower bonus plans).

[_protege_]

I didn't want to break this to you because your a young an optimistic naive young lad but I guess the truth must be told.

In Canada, people generally go into science because it was a societal norm to go to university after high school and they felt pressured. They probably only chose a science undergraduate because they disliked science / math the least in high school. I don't know any 18 year old who was so excited about studying science. They generally go into it with the false hopes of exciting prospective careers upon graduation. Then you get into university. You realize that the science and math in university is a lot different than in high school. A lot of pretty dry topics. Sure some people get off on certain topics for a while or so, but let's admit that a lot of this stuff is pretty dry. People become discouraged, but time goes on. They are soon out in the real world. They scramble to get jobs, and there are so many applicants but so little positions available. Generally people have delusions of grandeur for R&D or other related positions. Those not lucky enough (and there are a lot of them) to make it into the industry generally end up doing meaningless and trite jobs for the rest of their lives. Those who break into the industry realize that their dreams were unfounded....turns out jobs in the industry are also lame assed and boring regardless of the pay and the employees are generally tired and miserable.

You can deny the above all you want but that is pretty much the life cycle of the science industry. Turning man into mutant. Truth hurts, believe your new age hippy optimism all you want but the truth still remains.

The only truth I see is generalizations upon layers of generalizations. I'll write something tomorrow to respond to you, but i'm too tired right now!

[petergriffin]

Medical or health physics.

Many health physics grads (usually bachelor & master's) work as radiation safety officers in places like nuc plants & are paid with good money.

Many medical physics grads (usually PhDs+residency, some master's) work as radiation safety officers & medical physicists in imaging departments in hospitals & cancer centers (for radiation therapy). Medical physicists make around 130k on average. Sr MPs usually earn around 150k both in Canada & the US. This is a field that not many people know about & the job prospect is great because there's a big shortage of medical physicists in Canada.