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strangladesh
masterOFpuppets


Registered: 10/17/05
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science degree
#5928476 - 08/03/06 12:38 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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What would be a good degree in science to get. I'm thinking an associates in chemistry, chemical technology, chemical process tech...or maybe biology. I want a degree that will offer abroad level of experience so i can make my career more specified later and to give me more job opportunities after this degree is obtained. My schooling is pretty much taken care of money wise that is. So i figured i should do something I'll enjoy. I want a degree that will let me get a job in that field after i graduate but i would like to go back into a more specific field later...So i guess I'm just asking for some feed back and some ideas be for i go talk to an academic adviser tomorrow and sign up for my classes.
peace desh...
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
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You could always go undecided and take classes in the general direction that you have an interest. In this case chemistry and life sciences. After a semester or two, you will have a better feeling for what you want to do.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Konnrade
↑↑↓↓<--><-->BA



Registered: 09/13/05
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From what I've seen locally, associates degrees don't mean much to potential employers in the science field. I've seen a lot of employers who might tell you to get a bachelor's degree or fuck off.
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I find your lack of faith disturbing
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ChuangTzu
starvingphysicist



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I've been looking for jobs in research for a while now. The type of job that is most prevalent right now, which outnumbers any other type of research job by far, is lab assistant in a biotech lab. They'll expect you to have done basic PCR, cloning, cell culture, maybe HPLC, etc. If you take a few lab classes and several of these basic techniques under your belt, you have a job. It'll probably pay like $10/h, but it's basically unskilled labor that requires an idiot test (the ability to pass a few classes) before applying. After you have experience at a job doing this you can work your way up the pay scale.
If you know any openings for a nanophysicist let me know!!
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ShattrdHarlequin
Stranger

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Re: science degree [Re: ChuangTzu]
#5929279 - 08/03/06 05:51 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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I have an associates of science..... guess how many jobs thats gotten me? 0 As Konnrade said.... in the sciences.... you're basically gonna need at LEAST a bachelors
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ChuangTzu
starvingphysicist



Registered: 09/04/02
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An associates in science with what kind of experience? What kind of classes did you take?
I have a Master of Science degree and that's also gotten me 0 jobs so far. But I studied physics. If I'd studied biology I'd be making $50k right now.
But I didn't go to school to get a job. And I'll find a job soon enough, it just isn't as easy as those hippy biologists have it.
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Konnrade
↑↑↓↓<--><-->BA



Registered: 09/13/05
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Re: science degree [Re: ChuangTzu]
#5930234 - 08/04/06 12:50 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Yes, biologists do have it easy. My biology 105 professor was going to the college that he was teaching at, and working hard in his science classes, when a university contacted him and offered to PAY him to get a biology degree at their university. He hadn't even finished his degree before he was a professor at our college, which is a job he could most likely keep for the rest of his working career if he wanted to.
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I find your lack of faith disturbing
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Madtowntripper
Sun-Beams out of Cucumbers


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Re: science degree [Re: Konnrade]
#5930291 - 08/04/06 01:12 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'm 9 credits away from a Geophysics degree. My B.S., that is.
I love it. I get to traipse around in the muck all day at the bogs here and get to know all the plants and animals around here. Its great fun.
I would reccomend it to anyone who loves natuure.
-------------------- After one comes, through contact with it's administrators, no longer to cherish greatly the law as a remedy in abuses, then the bottle becomes a sovereign means of direct action. If you cannot throw it at least you can always drink out of it. - Ernest Hemingway If it is life that you feel you are missing I can tell you where to find it. In the law courts, in business, in government. There is nothing occurring in the streets. Nothing but a dumbshow composed of the helpless and the impotent. -Cormac MacCarthy He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. - Aeschylus
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phalcon005

Registered: 12/21/05
Posts: 217
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ChuangTzu hit the nail on the head. I have my BS in Biology and nearly all the jobs available are lab tech positions working a pipette. Really to make significant money it's best to get you Biology degree, maybe figure out your interest and work up a thesis for a masters, and role into a PhD program.
There is always the exception though, I love research and don't care for grant righting (justifying to a bunch of people why I need to pay my bills annually) so I got into a position working with the US government. I've personally gone from a tech job to a management level position here, and hopefully soon will start making enough money to actually pay my bills, heh. Be careful when considering biotech jobs as well, many of those companies come and go in the span of 5 to 10 years. Often they pay more, but an associate that just left my lab was told "you know, if we (the new hires) don't make this work we'll be closing the doors in two years."
If are single and have the time to dedicate to schooling alone I would stick with higher education and stay in the system. I thinking teaching would rock, but most of the time requires a PhD.
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strangladesh
masterOFpuppets


Registered: 10/17/05
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well i was planning on going for a high degree but i need more of a short term goal. OK just looked at the biology degree after completing it it will transfer over to any university in Michigan so from there i could get a bachelors. It doesn't seem that difficult either no high level math or anything. I think thats at the top of my list now and any way after i finish school i can always go get certified as a welder or electrician and get a job until i find something in my study area.I'm not in that big of a rush to grow up.
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,372
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Be advised that if you obtain a BS there is usually a well defined "ceiling" that you will hit fairly quickly. If doing hands on work is what you want, then go for it. IMO if you plan on "stopping" at your BS, I'd suggest you focus on career path that will eventually lead you away from the lab bench. Something along the lines of administration or management.
I would also suggest getting as much "hands on" experience as possible, volunteer or work in a lab so you can get an idea of where you are going.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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Catalysis
EtherealEngineer

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An associates in science will always be able to get you a QC/QA job. Actually a bachelors doesn't get you much more unless you have good grades and are a good job hunter. I would recommend going for a master/phd and if not, then just get the 2 year degree. A masters is the minimum to be able to do real science right out of school. Generally you are not considered a scientist unless you have an advanced degree.
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Nashbar
just strange.... on drugs

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Re: science degree [Re: Catalysis]
#5936651 - 08/06/06 11:09 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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engineering, anything engineering.
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