Chromatography Forum

Im an Analytical development Chemist with a degree in Biopharmaceuticals & health care science. I work for a pharmaceutical company even though my degree would lean to the bio pharmaceutical side...but now i have 4-5 years R & D experience as an Analytical Chemist.Im just wondering my next step....i was thinking of doing a masters in pharmaceutical analysis...and thus furthering my Analytical chemist career! ...im still not sure....i feel the bio pharmaceutical industry is the future......basically my fear is that i will be obsolete when im 45.....lol.I guess my dream would would be analytical expert incorporating both industries....how could i achieve that?... ..............ANY BODY ANY ADVICE?

The view from the university clinic indicates that flexibility would be paramount. Look at living things, the human body: Both small molecules as well as macro molecules are absolutely required.

The best advice is to do what you enjoy, and not worry about what happens when you are 45.

It's hard to predict how novel industries, such as biopharmaceuticals, will develop - however it's likely that educational institutions will be turning out fresh graduates that will want far less salary than you at 45, so ensure you have acquired valuable skills and experience.

If you want to diversify, then do so, but just ensure that you don't become a jack of all trades, but also expecting master pay.

My guess is that, especially in production environments, automation of analysis will become routine and operated by technicians, as it has for many medical tests. A shortage of skilled people may drive automation.

A "Lab on a chip" is much smaller than I could downsize to, even if I wanted to.

Bruce Hamilton

With that age 45 thing well in the rear view mirror... May I suggest that focus on being a problem solver. My specialty is GC/MS - and some would say that the future of GC or GC/MS, particularly for a research chemist is rather flat - on a good day. But, when people come knocking on my door, it is not to have me run the GC, rather it is to have me solve a problem. And, I still get lots of miles out of the GC.

Degrees are good - they open doors. But, once you are inside, it is what you produce that counts. And as you do well, you get a reputation both within your company and outside. If your concern is what to do if your company fails or you are "downsized," be sure that your resume shows that you have been a benefit to your employer by taking responsibility and getting the job done - and be sure you have a network of people to help get that resume in to the right hands.

Last word - be flexible. Be the person who can be asked to do a job outside your background - because it is well known that you will come up to speed with new techniques and technologies quickly and without complaint.