I cant decide on my career? How important is career satisfaction? Physiotherapy or Chemical engineering?

I just started my university education on a double degree in chemical engineering and economics. While its a course I know I will be able to study and pull through, I am not sure if its really what i'd like to do for the rest of my life. I was told it'll give me a well-paying job though, with good career prospects. What r e nature of jobs in the pharmaceutical industry, besides research?





On the other hand, I am considering a career in physiotherapy. However, physiotherapy is not as established as in other countries such as Australia, US or UK, where I was told the pay was much much better, and physiotherapists are granted much more autonomy with their patients. The diploma+1yr degree conversion course offered locally was not recommended by the seniors I spoke to. I cant afford an overseas education, esp if the job doesnt pay well enough to justify the amount of money spent. But i do like the job, its jus the practicalities of finances tt scares me.





advice?


- 19 yr old,singapore

I cant decide on my career? How important is career satisfaction? Physiotherapy or Chemical engineering?
Your chemical engineering degree will provide you with a qualification that is highly valued by a whole host of industry sectors and by other employers. It is certainly a qualification that will open up many doors for you. You are right that salaries of chemical engineers are excellent and that you will have good career prospects. Right now there is a real shortage of chemical engineers worldwide.





Chemical engineers work in a whole host of roles from design, to R%26amp;D, to operations. As well as ‘conventional’ chemicals sectors they are to be found in sectors as diverse as biotech, pharm, consumer goods, food, water, biomedical, nuclear, environmental consultancy, education etc etc.





The pharma sector is a significant employer of chemical engineers. These companies need to know how to scale up the chemistry to produce APIs and also the secondary processes. They need people to design and operate very sophisticated plant to GMP standards. And, of course, engineers operate in many areas of the supply chain in these companies helping minimise operating costs and to take decisions around business investments.





Good luck with your research and decision making. And contact us if you need further help.





IChemE
Reply:It depends on what kind of lifestyle you want after you graduate. If you want to live on more money than a physiotherapist could afford, I'd stick with your current course. I wouldn't choose physiotherapy if you really want more pay. Whatever career you get into after university, you don't HAVE to do it for the rest of your life. You're young and will encounter many experiences during and after university that may change your career outlook.
Reply:The work for love vs. money debate has been raging on for years. My advise on the matter are:


1. It's better to do what you love because to be well paid you must be the best. To be the best, you must put long hours and money improving and perfecting your art. And it's easier to put long hours doing something you love vs. something you tolerate/hate.


2. Don't cut corners. There is not easy shortcut to lasting success. Sometimes you have to put in the money on education and credentials, especially in the medical field. If you are the best physiotherapist in Singapore, I'm sure the money will be good.


3. It's never too late to start. If for financial reasons you have to take a job you don't like, your life is not over. Just save up money and switch careers later on in life. I know people who start their dream careers at the age of 40+. While it's definitely better to start early, it's better late than never.
Reply:It is not a simple question. I can only give you my own experience. I've always liked archeology; find it interesting, amazing, it is my passion. However, I decided to study computer science based on the fact that it would give me better career prospects and that I like it. Not only like it, I find solving problems fascinating. I have achieved a lot in my career, make good money and still find it interesting (after 15 years).





But, I know I made the wrong decision. I discovered that the day I figured that I could have been very successful as an archaeologist. The day that I learned that the thing you are most likely to be successful at is that thing that you love. It may be harder, it may be less financial rewarding, but there is no way anything else is going to be as fulfilling.





Only you can make the choice; just keep in mind that passion will take you further than rationale. Not only that; once you start making some money you will believe that you need more and it'll be a lot harder to go back to do something else, no matter how appealing it will look.





In short, money is part of the equation. But only 25% of it. If you are not really happy doing what you do (because you'll do it every day) the remaining 75% will really hit you hard.