I remember back in the mid 90's, I faced the decision of continuing my PhD
education in Organic Chemistry or not. What I was concerned with was that
organic synthesis is a very costly labor intersive process and can easily be
a target of outsourcing. Interestingly enough, one article from the ACS
journal fortified my concern. That editorial was about the PostDoc system
in US. It stated that the PostDoc is a wonderful system, which serves as a
reservoir - when the economy is bad, the PostDoc positions help to keep the
talents sharp with a relatively small cost and when the industry needs those
talents, they are, available. What a brilliant business model! The
problem is, I do not want to be in that reservoir anytime in my life.
Knowing that I am not that devoted to chemistry anyway, I decided to quit
and pursue IT consulting. Unfortunately my prediction turned out to be true
today, at the same time I am glad that I made that move.
My point is, if you love chemistry, stay with your dream. If you just take
that for a living, my suggestion is, run, run away as fast as you can.
Chemist is a sunset career.