Applying to industry based jobs with B.S. degree

[Genecks]

I've been applying to jobs that require a bachelor's degree. I had an interview yesterday with a chemical company. The interview left me thinking that it was a bench monkey job that would become quite boring after a while. However, I don't have a problem with a boring job that would pay well: $30,000 to $35,000 USD / year. Seeing as I only have my B.S. in Neuroscience. Of the things that I have been wondering after the interview are questions like this:

 

1) If I get into industry with my degree, after a few years (perhaps 3+ years), would I increasingly become stuck in industry jobs?

2) If I take the industry route, would someone eventually extend an offer to me to get a higher degree and get more pay?

3) If I take an industry job in a specific company, such as a chemical company that specializes in say refining oil, am I going to be stuck in those types of industry jobs (or perhaps that particular business) and not be able to move around?

4) Is there little pay advancement after the first few years?

5) How long would a company want me to stick around?

6) How bad would it be if I took the position, stuck around two years, and tried to find a higher paying job?

7) Could I find a higher paying job after a few years, perhaps a job paying $10,000 USD more?

 

Any of you have any perspectives on these questions in relation to industry jobs that involve scientific methods?

 

I think I would acquire many skills from the business. I'd get good at a few techniques. I reason I'd master the techniques quick enough. Afterward, the work would become mighty boring and repetitive, which I don't have a problem with.

Edited June 10, 2014 by Genecks

[Ophiolite]

1) If I get into industry with my degree, after a few years (perhaps 3+ years), would I increasingly become stuck in industry jobs?

There would be a strong tendency in this direction.

 

2) If I take the industry route, would someone eventually extend an offer to me to get a higher degree and get more pay?

Some companies would certainly be prepared to do this for the right candidate, but it is probably not the majority of companies. Be aware that if you ask about such opportunities in an interview there is a risk that you will be rejected on the basis that you are not really interested in a "bench monkey job".

 

3) If I take an industry job in a specific company, such as a chemical company that specializes in say refining oil, am I going to be stuck in those types of industry jobs (or perhaps that particular business) and not be able to move around?

You will tend to be channeled into that broad type of work, but it will depend on the specifics of the work. If, for example, you are mainly carrying out analyses then any industry using comparable analytical techniques could be open to you.

 

 

4) Is there little pay advancement after the first few years?

To get significant increases you likely need to move into management or sales roles. On the management escalator the sky is the limit.

 

 

5) How long would a company want me to stick around?

In most posts you are of little value to the company for several months. Hiring people is expensive. If you are any good at what you do most companies will want you to remain for years. (Exceptions exist where the role is simple one, requiring minimal skills. Then, as you become more expensive, you can be become unwelcome - unless you are climbing the organisation ladder.)

 

 

6) How bad would it be if I took the position, stuck around two years, and tried to find a higher paying job?

Loyalty to companies is rare these days. The workforce is mobile. Two years would be fine, but if you continued to switch jobs every two years it would raise serious doubts in the minds of potential employers.

 

 

7) Could I find a higher paying job after a few years, perhaps a job paying $10,000 USD more?

Very likely.

 

Any of you have any perspectives on these questions in relation to industry jobs that involve scientific methods?

I have based these responses on my own experiences over several decades in the service side of the oil and gas drilling industry, where many positions are occupied by persons with engineering or science degrees.

[CharonY]

Excellent info. Just wanted to add:

1) Slightly weird perspective as industry jobs should be seen as the norm. The majority of the jobs are non-academic (if that is what is implied).

 

6) One thing to add is that if you manage to advance significantly it is often not seen too much of a negative. However every two years would indeed be odd. Horizontal moves are more likely to raise eyebrows, though.

[Bignose]

6) One thing to add is that if you manage to advance significantly it is often not seen too much of a negative. However every two years would indeed be odd. Horizontal moves are more likely to raise eyebrows, though.

The one exception to this seems to be IT. People in that industry seem to be very highly mobile, jumping from job to job almost on a project by project basis. There are probably other jobs like this, but my main point is that the last two answers have been true in general, but as with darn near everything else in life, there are exceptions.

[iNow]

Ophiolite's responses closely mirror my thoughts. I would just add that in many cases (unless your family is well connected), the "bench monkey" job is the only way to get your foot in the door and have a chance for a future. Competition for jobs is fierce so sometimes landing A job is more practical than landing THE job, at least in the first decade or so of your career. Just work hard and be at your best ("luck favors the prepared mind" and all that).

 

IMO, you ought to focus on getting this job (unless something better is immediately available). Then, you can use the opportunity to learn more about corporate politics, how to navigate meetings with massive douchebags with big egos who can get you fired just for not liking the color of your shirt, and how to get things done with large, diverse, often geographically dispersed teams (when I first started at a corporation, I thought pretty much anything could be done in a week, and have since learned that 6 months is considered fast in most cases).

 

Remember that this is also a major opportunity to network with others who share similar passions, to get introduced to decision makers and impress people who can help you later in life. You've heard it before, but it's true... Finding a job later in life is so often more about WHO you know than WHAT you know.

 

Likewise, the company that hires you is going to invest in training you. You'll be exposed to new ideas and information and grow as a human being. Take advantage of their corporate university, or their lunchtime learning events, or workshops, or whatever they offer. Drink it all in like a sponge and signup for everything they offer. Then, you'll be that much more valuable to the next company willing to make you an offer (since they won't have to spend that same money training you on those same things).

 

There's no reason you can't leave at any time if a better offer comes along (if you do this too often it looks bad, but once or twice and you're just being smart about your future). Additionally, sometimes if you get a better offer from elsewhere the company you're with might match or beat it (and even offer you a retention bonus... one time huge payment to stay if they like you and find you to be valuable).

 

Anyway, those are a few of my own thoughts. Corporations are like middle schools filled with adult-sized teenagers when it comes to the social parts and like the military when it comes to decision making and control. Don't unnecessarily put obstacles in your own way. There will be plenty put there for you by others as you navigate through life. Remember too that you're going to hit a salary ceiling fairly quickly as a specialist, but have a ton of opportunity for increased salary if you move into leadership and management (just as Ophiolite shared).

Edited June 12, 2014 by iNow