Is there any point?

mkshort
Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:18:18 +0000

First, a bit of background: I had hoped to major in chemistry and some day become a researcher, maybe eventually a professor because I love research (I’ve done a little already) and I love to teach.

Lately I’ve been reading a lot lately about careers in the sciences and, frankly, it’s frightening. Everywhere I turn I read about researchers who got laid off in their 40s and had to take jobs wherever they could possibly get them, even if that meant as a janitor or a cashier. While I’d love to research, frankly I love to have food on my table even more, so to speak.

Does anyone have any experience in this area? I would love to hear some encouragement if there’s any available, but I’m not too hopeful lately.