[michael lim]

Hello there, I'm Michael. I'm 16 and I'm studying for my O levels this October.

I've already thought about what I want to do, and I want to become a chemist in organic chemistry. Before you dismiss this as some kid spouting nonsense, I would like to say that I do enjoy chemistry as a whole and especially organic chemistry.

I would like to know from all the chemist out there if there is a future in chemistry at all, let alone organic chemistry. Especially in the field of research.

Thank you.

[Arkcon]

I regret to inform you that all human science is more or less complete at this point.  We know absolutely everything possible, and no research positions will likely be available when you finish school.






  Oh God, we need a ROTFLMFAO emoticon. 

Sorry to do that to you, but in the most general sense that you've framed your question, yes, there will likely be research positions available in organic chemistry.  All opportunities are cut-throat, as the economy has softened world-wide, but that is true of any position.  It will depend on your abilities and your ability to communicate your skills and knowledge to the people you answer too.

Fortunately, your academic system provides you with A-levels and O-levels.  Which, as I understand in a limited sort of way, are a performance determining system above and beyond simple graduation or standardized multiple choice testing.  So you're better suited than many to understand the need to distinguish yourself to advance professionally.

[michael lim]

I regret to inform you that all human science is more or less complete at this point.  We know absolutely everything possible, and no research positions will likely be available when you finish school.






  Oh God, we need a ROTFLMFAO emoticon. 

Sorry to do that to you, but in the most general sense that you've framed your question, yes, there will likely be research positions available in organic chemistry.  All opportunities are cut-throat, as the economy has softened world-wide, but that is true of any position.  It will depend on your abilities and your ability to communicate your skills and knowledge to the people you answer too.

Fortunately, your academic system provides you with A-levels and O-levels.  Which, as I understand in a limited sort of way, are a performance determining system above and beyond simple graduation or standardized multiple choice testing.  So you're better suited than many to understand the need to distinguish yourself to advance professionally.

Haha, you got me in the first paragraph.
I see what you mean though, about not just passing or making it there, but rather to be desirably unique.
Also, I live in Singapore.

Thank you for the advice, I really appreciate it. However, I do have 1 more question.
Is the whole chemistry industry that volatile?
I saw this post awhile back about how chemistry was a terrible pathway and budding chemists should turn back. Is that really true?
Most people who replied said otherwise, but on other chemistry forums that I shall not name, there are PhD graduates (or at least claim to be) that say they can't find a decent job or get frequently laid off. That's pretty scary to me.

Then again, it's a little too soon to think about these things, but I like to be clear where I'm heading.

[Enthalpy]

Nobody knows if a job has a future or not - except maybe for prostitution and politics.

When I was a student (during the upper paleolithic) microelectronics was the obvious bright future that would bring money here to European companies, while textile, mechanical engineering would go to Asia.

But microelectronics has disappeared from Europe while mechanical engineering makes the German and Swiss rich - and I was happy to earn money with general electrical and mechanical engineering that I had learned outside my studies.

So my suggestion would be to do what you like provided there is activity for it right now, but be able and ready to do something else when needed. And of course, to be mobile hence multilingual.

[Benzene Martini]

So my suggestion would be to do what you like provided there is activity for it right now, but be able and ready to do something else when needed. And of course, to be mobile hence multilingual.

Definitely learn more than one language and be fluent in the additional languages. Just knowing two languages gives you incredible advantages over those that are monolingual (most Americans). Companies that are multinational want people that are smart and able to communicate.

Never underestimate the importance of being able to communicate in different languages. You could be the connection between other people that need each other but that do not know how to translate their needs to others.