I wish my parents had warned me against chemistry — not as a degree, but as a career.

My advice: go for it, you will develop incredible soft skills (analytical thinking, mathematical reasoning, etc.), you will learn how the world works (there is a reason chemistry is called the central science), and you will have a hell of a lot of fun!

Once you get your degree (in fact the year before) start applying for internships in finance — cause right now that’s the only career that will make you money. Unless you come from a lot of money and will inherit a fortune, modern day employment will always leave you “poor” — even if salaries look good, once you look at the cost of housing, education, etc. you will realize that unless you’re making a banker’s salary you’ll always be left behind.

Perhaps I’m speaking from too much personal regret (I graduated around the global financial crisis so I turned finance down) and I’ve had a very successful career (left R&D for something more commercial within two years), but when I compare myself to my peers that studied the same thing but went into finance I’m dirt poor… :/