<p>I graduated with a masters of science in chemistry with extensive research with protein biochemistry, cell culture, chromatography, various biophysical techniques. After graduation I spent 8 months unemployed declining total crap temp agency jobs, then 9 months with a somewhat decent job, then got laid off, then spent 3 years without benefits at a crappy permatemp job making ~ $20 per hour with no benefits and I spent every waking moment hating the job and devoting every spare moment applying for or interviewing for just about any job anywhere that might pay decently and getting nowhere. I finally after close to 3 years I found a really good job with benefits and good pay but I live in fear of what is going to happen the next time I get laid off. I’ve pretty much vowed that I will leave science entirely rather than go back to crappy temp jobs. Most of the people I graduated with have already either left the field or went into teaching.</p>
<p>Almost everyone I know who got a science degree without going to professional school had their lives badly messed up especially the poeple that stayed on to get the PhD. I remember my bigest wakeup call was when a couple of students about to graduate where having such a heck of a time getting a job they were discussing whether they could get away with ommitting the PhD entirely. My solution was just don’t get it. Why bust your rear for 7 years to get a degree that yeilds worse employment prospects. You are setting yourself up for abuse and that is not a halmark of commitiment, that is a sign of low self-esteem.</p>