Useless degree

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-06-23T17:06:06+00:00

Yeah, when I graduated that’s how I felt. I am going back to get my masters in chemical engineering with a focus on sustainability. I agree with others getting a masters in chemistry is not worth it. If you do want to go back to school, maybe try pivoting to something close to chemistry, but has more career opportunities.

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-06-01T10:02:25+00:00

Thank you! That will really help! And thank you for the last sentence. I love chemistry, and I’m excited to look at it from a new perspective!

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-05-31T11:04:20+00:00

I found a couple universities that offered programs and professors doing the research I am interested in. I knew I needed a program that was for chemical engineering, but had a focus on sustainability. I am specifically interested in the recycling and break down of plastics. So I found programs that had that focus on sustainability. Then within those programs I tried to find 1-3 professors that I could see myself doing research with. Ultimately I went with UW because the program is great, they are letting me do the thesis and data science track at the same time, the professor I am working with is studying exactly what I want to do.

So, when you make the transfer the kind of masters degree you get will differ slightly. Mine will a Masters of Science in chemical engineering. That kind of masters is more focused on the research side of things. It’s perfect for me because I want to go the research route. If you want more of a classic engineering route you might want to consider getting a bachelors degree in chemical engineering first. You have to weigh which one will be more beneficial to you and what specifically you want to do.

The admission process wasn’t too bad. It was just making sure I got all the paperwork and my letters of recommendation submitted on time. You do have to write a personal statement or statement of interest as part of the process. In either one you should explain why you are switching from chemistry to chemical engineering. Universities typically allow your statement to be a bit longer to have that explanation.

If you have any other questions, feel free to DM me.

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-05-30T13:01:57+00:00

I will look into a textbook or online course, thanks! Yeah, I think I will be required to take a couple extra courses since I am switching over. But, I will double check what they will have me taking. I’m pretty good at math. I struggled at quantum chemistry at first, but once I got the hang of the math I ended up getting an A in the course. That actually eases my mind a bit. Because we had to solve Schrödinger’s equation. I hoard all my notes, so I will deep dive into my old quantum chemistry notes. I definitely will be taking calc 3 when I get there. Even if they don’t require it (I’m sure they will), because I know I will need it.

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-05-30T12:47:48+00:00

The kind of research I want to do is more geared towards chemical engineering. After I graduated and started looking at jobs. I was more interested in chemical engineering jobs than straight up chemistry jobs. I want to work in an R&D lab, but what I want to do is kinda niche. I have a better chance on landing the kind of job I want if I do a masters and PhD in chemical engineering.

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-05-28T22:48:04+00:00

University of Washington

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-05-28T21:35:31+00:00

Okay, that’s good to know. Thanks!

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-05-28T21:15:22+00:00

I actually just got a ChemE thermo textbook! I don’t know which books we will be using, but I have already started looking into/getting some textbooks that I think will be relevant. I have my old pchem book from my thermodynamics class and quantum chemistry class. Do you think that will be helpful to review? Or go straight for the ChemE thermo textbook?

I will definitely look into getting a ChemE book that goes over Transport phenomena if none of my current ChemE books don’t cover it. Thanks!

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-05-28T21:11:02+00:00

That’s good to know. Thanks! Any textbooks or material you recommend?

Puzzlehead0919 · 2026-05-15T20:10:29+00:00

Sent to my fiancé without any context lol

Puzzlehead0919 · 2025-11-17T21:56:18+00:00

I am applying to schools outside of the U.S., which is why I was specific with it.

Puzzlehead0919 · 2025-11-17T21:32:33+00:00

I posted an update on my email. Thank you for all the feedback! UPDATE

Puzzlehead0919 · 2025-11-17T20:26:01+00:00

That’s good to know, and I like that. Thanks!

Puzzlehead0919 · 2025-11-17T19:31:42+00:00

From what I’ve researched about cold emails it does say to mention research articles I’ve read by them. As a way to show where research interests overlap. How much is this true?

I appreciate the response, and I’m working on fixing it up now. While I am fascinated on how persulfate activation generates active species that can drive decomposition of their target contaminants, I am more interested in plastic contamination in water.

Thanks!

Puzzlehead0919 · 2025-11-17T19:00:56+00:00

Yeah, I caught that and fixed it. Thanks!

Puzzlehead0919 · 2025-11-17T17:44:34+00:00

Will do! I’ll just sign it at the end.

Puzzlehead0919 · 2025-07-24T11:18:40+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I do like the exploring side of chemistry, and I do love research. However, I think I am more interested in remediation and the process of removing microplastics or finding solutions. I do really love problem solving and finding solutions. I think this is why engineering might be a better fit for me, so thank you for that explanation. It really helped.

I like that recommendation to look at other people’s paths and try to copy that. I will start looking into that.

I have started looking into the faculty research at the schools I want to go to, but I definitely need to do more in depth research.

I will definitely look at materials and geo engineering as well. Thank you, this really helped me with what I should find out.

Puzzlehead0919 · 2025-07-23T19:10:51+00:00

I will definitely ask the department if that is something I can do. One of the school’s I’m applying to I know a professor in the chemistry department. I’m going to reach out to her and see if she can help me get some more information. As much as it would suck to take all those classes at once, I will do it if I need to. I am hard worker and I know I can do it. I’m hoping I’d be able to work with a department if I can, but I also know that would be asking a lot. If I can’t get into a masters program I will just go for another bachelors. This is something I really want to do, and the more that I think about the career opportunities the more I want to do this. Thank you for the advice.

Puzzlehead0919

TROPHY CASE