@scout59 : What you did is exactly what I want to do!! It must have been amazing 
But I guess I do have to face reality 
Even if I accepted everything else, I don’t thinking changing jobs (probably cities too?) would really suit me. So basically even if you’re very good, there’s no guarantee you’ll be employed? Just out of naive curiosity, how did the situation become like this? Is it because of the recession, or something else? Is there any hope that this will improve? At least in the next 10 years (i.e. after i graduate)? Thanks for ur advice though…I’'ll remember it if I still want to continue in chemistry.