I am tortured/confused about my career options. I have studied for a long time (PhD in Organic Chemistry) only to realize that I am not interested in doing research at all. I am more of a creative person yet I obviously have analytical skills as well. I feel I am between 2 worlds and I don't know how to perhaps combine them. I am very organized and very hardworking. I am comfortable with computers and drawing and coming up with ideas for projects, designing, making presentation and understand how organic molecules interact....it just seems overwhelming. I realize that there are some good skills here..I just don't know how to combine them into a job description or career that I will enjoy. It feels like the worlds are too far apart.

-- Rebecca J Robbins (rerobbins@vassar.edu), September 24, 2000

Answers

Rebecca, have you considered maybe working for a company that makes software to illustrate chemistry/chemical reactions? There's a lot of opportunity in the CAD industry. Maybe a company that does computer simulations or illustrations of scientific principles for television shows? If you can't find these companies, you could always start one. :) Good luck!

Doug

-- Doug Seaman (dseaman@tridaq.com), September 27, 2000.

Dear Rebecca, It seems you may not see the woods for all the trees. Just because you may have done research, you may not wish to do it. A friend of mine has a degree in Japanese and she is a webassistant. Take some time to specify what is important to you when it comes to what really thrills you, or list a few companies that you think would be interesting to work with. Sometimes it's easy to think we can only use our talents in a specified field, when the contrary is more true. I envy you because you have the opportunity to choose whatever you wish! With a degree anything is possible. Go for it, girl! Maria

-- Maria Hempel (mxtra@yahoo.com), September 29, 2000.

You have what it takes. Do you realize that you very well could design something and sell it? Designing something..... it could be a better version of Tide laundry detergent that uses nothing other than organic stuff to a better, different kind of nuclear waste removal that has to have SOMETHING to do with nature and organic stuff.

YOu have the power to be on both ends of the equation, manufacturing (analytical) and selling (creative). Don't waste it.

I wish I had both, but as a Marketing major in at Texas A&M, I only have the creative side. I have made so many deals with chemistry majors that if they make something, I will sell it for them. I still can't balance an equation. I never will.

You have both sides of the equation. Besdies, it sounds REALLY cool that Dr. Robbins is selling something, dosen't it?

-- Ryan Silvashy (stockster@hotmail.com), October 05, 2000.

Rebecca before you do anything read and work through this book:

What Color is YOur Parachute? 2000 by Richard Nelson Bolles

You will find it amazon if you go to the URL below: Copy and paste it to your address bar.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580081231/ref=ed_oe_p/104- 8330332-7209500

If you work your way through it, you should come out from this with a much clearer idea of what you want to do.

And one more thing Rebecca, everybody is tortured and confused by their career options but a lot of people are like ducks, they may look graceful and easy going on the top, but their little legs are kicking furiously and hard under the surface. So don't feel too overwhelmed by it all, indeed by becoming overwhelmed you are further away from creating the time and space you need to give yourself to truly help you think about your own future.

Good Luck with your future plans.

-- Mark Zorro (zorromark@consultant.com), October 06, 2000.

Wow. There are two of us in the world (I have a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and a right-brain orientation, too!). If my experience can be of any help, here it is. I did go into Research at a Fortune 500 company right out of grad school and managed to survive (and thrive) for about 3.5 years. But a really neat opportunity in the same company opened up, and now I manage and market our corporate intranet. Most of my colleagues were genuinely baffled when I took the position, but I am learning a tremendous amount (both technology-wise and about myself). This has made the inevitable transition difficulties tolerable.

I have no idea what I might be doing in two years, but I feel confident that my talent and adaptablility will hold me in good stead. I expect change, and look forward to using the skills I learn today in pursuit of who-knows-what tomorrow. Maybe we should form a consultancy; the rarity of our particular talent mix could lead to some really cool ideas.

-- Timothy Gotsick (webchem@knology.net), October 11, 2000.