Nickdul
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Education in the US - ChemE, OrgChem
I'm from Bulgaria and I'm thinking of applying to some colleges/universities in the United States. I suppose a lot of members here have degrees in
Chemistry, probable even some with PhDs, so I hope my questions are not out of line here:
1. Which offers more career opportunities - Chemical Engineering or Organic Synthesis and Research? What about graduate and postgraduate prospects?
What is your personal experience?
2. What would be a good university or college to study Chemistry in and receive a good practical and theoretical foundation? Should I be looking
solely at the ranks of Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, and Ivy Leagues; where did you receive your education?
I know that the answers to each of these can be very complicated and lengthy in full; I just wonder what people who share a passion for chemistry
think 
Cheers,
Nick
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Magpie
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The difference between a curriculum in Chem E and one in organic chem is a very big one. From an academic point the choice would very much depend on
your interests and abilities.
Chem E's have traditionally had BS degree starting salaries at the top. Also I think the demand (ability to get a job right out of school) has been
the best also.
I think most state schools and the ivy league schools all will provide you the opportunity to get a good education. Ivy league gives you prestige
plus probably stiffer competition with your fellow students. The prestige of the ivy league and other prestigious schools might give you better entre
into certain job sectors.
This is the opinion of an old chemical engineer. I would like to hear the opinions of the younger graduates.
The single most important condition for a successful synthesis is good mixing - Nicodem
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Nickdul
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Thanks, Magpie! I hope we can get a discussion going.
...I've heard from others that there possibly could be a demand for organic research scientists.
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bismuthate
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I'm also interested even though college is a long ways away. Although I'd be interested to hear some otions centered around inorganic chemistry (I
don't like organic as much).
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Ascaridole
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If your looking for a career in research look for professors that are doing things that interest you and apply to the college they are at. e-mail them
and submit a resume or curriculum vitae and ask if you could visit and see if thats what you are really interested in doing, if not ask them if they
know of other professors that are doing things you like.
Just remember professors are busy people but they love their work and are for the most part excited to share their love with other.
Also just remember, its not where you go but what you make of it that counts. I know professors who attended small universities with "marginal" chem
departments but put their best foot forward and published some nice works and landed nice grants from uncle sam and the private sector.
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BromicAcid
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There are lots of very skilled organic chemists out of work at the moment due to downsizing. My personal vote would be to go for a ChemE, I feel
there is more demand in that field. The US department of labor does compile a prospectus on the future employment needs in fields of study and
specific occupations, it might prove useful to check that out. When I first went into chemistry I actually was looking at doing geology, but I didn't
think there would be any money in it, it was only after I graduated that the oil boom really hit and I realized I would have been making triple my
salary in that career. I like what I do but I would like it even more if I were making triple the pay.
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Nickdul
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Thank you for the suggestions, guys. I'll be applying to only a few Ivy League schools, since I'm hoping for a substantial financial aid, so less
competitive (application-wise) universities are at the top of my list for now.
I realize that in the first few years in university I won't be doing a lot of labwork, although that is what I enjoy the most - a hands-on practical
approach to education.
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