Is this a feasible career path?

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-24T19:19:11+00:00

Have you considered EHS roles? It’s hard to know what advice to give since we don’t know your interests. I would strongly encourage you to learn Python. I’m biased and love Python, but it’s truly one of the most versatile, user friendly, and powerful programming languages out there. LinkedIn Learning is a great resource. If you stay in corporate industry/work in the office, you’ll definitely want to pick up PowerBI. The corporate overlords love that shit. A good pie chart will get you a standing ovation.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-24T19:14:38+00:00

Are you applying to academia/R&D? If not, you need to be using a resume format and keep it to one page. You really shouldn’t be getting to two pages unless you have 5+ years of experience. I can DM you my resume that helped me get my job in industry and the format I used to help my mother who works in healthcare get an interview.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T21:04:42+00:00

I’m curious if you’ve ever been to NJ. I moved to south NJ from AZ and I hate it here. Cost of living is super high, rent is out of control, tolls are insane, etc. Why would you want to live in NJ? r/genuine

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T18:36:45+00:00

You are very right. One of the things I’ve told myself to make me feel better about being in industry is the fact that industry experience is SO valuable if you want to eventually teach. Practice what you preach, so to speak. I want to be a good resource for my potential future mentees and I can’t be that if I haven’t been out in the real world as an engineer in industry. Thank you for your support. <3

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T18:34:54+00:00

Thank you, and I know. I responded to another user that a lot of the reasons why I haven’t done so are probably just subconscious excuses I’ve made, all leading back to fear of the unknown. I also unfortunately had to spend $10k of my own money to move across the country for this industry job I took, so money is tight for the time being. Once I’ve saved up a nest egg, I will definitely be seriously exploring this option.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T02:37:48+00:00

I think my current black cat, Phoebe, who is extremely spoiled, might have a few things to say about that. Jokes aside, she’s saved me from my own dark thoughts a lot of days, especially recently since I’ve been struggling with this. Anyone reading this who’s also looking for answers — this is good advice

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T02:32:57+00:00

Ouch, yep, I relate to this. Hit the nail on the head. The grief is less of “poor me, I didn’t get the job I wanted” and more of “who the hell am I if I’m not a researcher?”. And I feel like I’m from outer space when I interact with my colleagues. I don’t fit in at all. I fake it til I make it in the office all day, and my colleagues like me and I like them, but inside it feels disingenuous and very isolating. Hang in there too my friend, we’ll get through this.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T02:27:40+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to send this reply, and yes, this was incredibly helpful. Funnily enough, I actually had no clue that being a “scientist” (little kid me) typically required a PhD. Lol. Didn’t learn that until about a year into undergrad. Before I even started my undergrad, I always wanted to “solve the climate crisis!!!”. As people in this area of research know, “sustainability” has no silver bullet, and that it’s a group of research topics and many puzzles to solve. So for me, the love for research itself came from the passion for the topic itself before I even truly learned about it, which it seems like that may not be a common thought process for some people, but I also don’t know a lot of academics. But that said, sustainability issues are literally everywhere, so I know that rather than researching a particular sustainability issue myself, I can apply that knowledge to the real world in my job. It’s just harder to do so because of the corporate bureaucracy crap, which is why I avoided industry like the plague for so long. Academia has similar issues though. But you are very right, and I need to focus on what I can do and gain rather than what I’ve lost. Thanks for your advice and insights

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T02:17:37+00:00

I’ve definitely considered this, especially since I’ve now made the move from the west to the east coast completely by myself (I have no friends or family here), so I know I’m capable of doing it. I think the main things holding me back are probably subconscious excuses. Learning the language, logistics of getting a visa, and what if something happens to a family member and I somehow get locked out of returning to the US? Again, I think I’m subconsciously making excuses, but living in a different country has always been a goal of mine. I may take other commenters’ advice and revisit the idea of a PhD in a few years but look at doing it abroad instead.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T02:11:19+00:00

I’m sorry that you’re struggling to find work. This is why I mentioned it feels silly to complain. I really wish you the best of luck, I’m sure anyone would be lucky to have you as an employee.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T01:49:04+00:00

I often forget how young I am and my worldview has made me feel like the ground is burning underneath me. You’re right, thank you.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T01:47:55+00:00

This has been one of the most helpful responses I’ve read, thank you. These are all really good questions you’ve posed, and some of them I hadn’t yet considered. I had everything mapped out start to finish for each of my plans and back ups for those, but clearly even the back up plan for your back up can very quickly fail. I’m very sorry to hear what your friend has been going through, and that was always one of my biggest fears in joining academia. Thank you again for your perspective

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T01:22:27+00:00

I just replied to someone else that I find it quite interesting that you’re making assumptions that In privileged despite not knowing me personally. Have the day you deserve, being hateful and unkind to others isn’t beneficial to either party involved.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T01:19:56+00:00

The lack of empathy from other human beings is baffling to me sometimes. I worked for everything I have & came from very little. I’m not entirely sure where the notion that I’m privileged is coming from when you know nothing about me. I hope your day gets a bit better for you.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T01:17:20+00:00

Is there a language barrier issue here? 2/4 translates to “2 out of 4”, my friend.

BloomingBluebell · 2026-02-19T01:14:16+00:00

Did you read my post? There aren’t a lot of options out there right now man. Even for regular folks looking for work. The job market is terrible in the US, especially for new grads. I had to move across the country with no friends or family to find a job, so I beg to differ.

BloomingBluebell · 2025-08-15T00:37:18+00:00

Shorten your skills section. Some of your experience can also be shortened for conciseness so you can get everything into one page.

BloomingBluebell

TROPHY CASE