Hi, i've been reading ur blogs for quite some time now, Acidcat.. You were placed at a pharmaceutical company right? So, why have you gone back to the university now?
I'm thrilled that you're reading my blog (I'm pretty amazed anyone is)!
I was placed at a pharmaceutical company, and had a wonderful time there. I did a PhD in chemistry, and had a bit of a terrible time (got on very well with the people, but the chemistry went pretty disasterously). By the time I finished, I figured out I was rubbish at chemistry and so started wondering what to do with my life. I decided to go back to university to study to become a doctor, as it was a safe job for life, and I had a chance to do some good in this world.
My helpful PhD supervisor was very supportive, and he pointed me in the direction of an advert for one of the big pharmaceutical companies, to earn some money while my application for medicine went through. I was successful and they gave me a 6 month contract.
I soon realised while there that I was pretty good at chemistry and I was just unlucky with the PhD. They really liked my work, and it felt great to be valued. I applied for permanent jobs in the big few pharmaceutical companies.
However, due to various reasons (mainly the cost of researching new drugs and several big selling drugs ending patents) most of the big pharmaceuticals were tightening their belts so weren't hiring. Only two had proper adverts for positions I was interested in. I put in applications, and one turned out decided not to hire.
The only application which was proceeding successfully was the one at the company I was working at. They said they were looking forwards to my application, then they said I had filled it out well. They were just sorting out interviews when head office dropped a minor bombshell: they were closing one of their UK lab research areas.
Bottom line was: they had to let go around 100 scientists, so they weren't hiring any new ones (the advertised jobs were going to be filled by some of the people they were making redundant). No job for AcidCat.
In the mean time, I had got three offers out of the four med schools I had applied for. I wondered if it was a sign and decided to take up my place at uni.
I'm now currently hoping it was the right decision. I do love chemistry still, and I think many pharma companies are a force for good. I'm also wondering whether I should have just gone to do a post-doc to think and maybe experience another country's culture. Hopefully I can learn to love what I'm doing now and hope I haven't made a mistake.
Thanks for reading this far. If I can help with anything (for instance any questions about pharma) please let me know!
2 comments:
Hi, i've been reading ur blogs for quite some time now, Acidcat.. You were placed at a pharmaceutical company right? So, why have you gone back to the university now?
Hi Ash!
I'm thrilled that you're reading my blog (I'm pretty amazed anyone is)!
I was placed at a pharmaceutical company, and had a wonderful time there. I did a PhD in chemistry, and had a bit of a terrible time (got on very well with the people, but the chemistry went pretty disasterously). By the time I finished, I figured out I was rubbish at chemistry and so started wondering what to do with my life. I decided to go back to university to study to become a doctor, as it was a safe job for life, and I had a chance to do some good in this world.
My helpful PhD supervisor was very supportive, and he pointed me in the direction of an advert for one of the big pharmaceutical companies, to earn some money while my application for medicine went through. I was successful and they gave me a 6 month contract.
I soon realised while there that I was pretty good at chemistry and I was just unlucky with the PhD. They really liked my work, and it felt great to be valued. I applied for permanent jobs in the big few pharmaceutical companies.
However, due to various reasons (mainly the cost of researching new drugs and several big selling drugs ending patents) most of the big pharmaceuticals were tightening their belts so weren't hiring. Only two had proper adverts for positions I was interested in. I put in applications, and one turned out decided not to hire.
The only application which was proceeding successfully was the one at the company I was working at. They said they were looking forwards to my application, then they said I had filled it out well. They were just sorting out interviews when head office dropped a minor bombshell: they were closing one of their UK lab research areas.
Bottom line was: they had to let go around 100 scientists, so they weren't hiring any new ones (the advertised jobs were going to be filled by some of the people they were making redundant). No job for AcidCat.
In the mean time, I had got three offers out of the four med schools I had applied for. I wondered if it was a sign and decided to take up my place at uni.
I'm now currently hoping it was the right decision. I do love chemistry still, and I think many pharma companies are a force for good. I'm also wondering whether I should have just gone to do a post-doc to think and maybe experience another country's culture. Hopefully I can learn to love what I'm doing now and hope I haven't made a mistake.
Thanks for reading this far. If I can help with anything (for instance any questions about pharma) please let me know!
AcidCat
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