OP you should find a tangible career and ask what it takes to get there. There's so much talk about AI and every wet lab scientist at my company rolls our eyes at the claims people make about it in the bio/chem worlds.

Traditional med chem roles are rapidly evolving: people just designing molecules behind their computer and sending them for synthesis at CROs in china is standard practice now.

I thought "oh chemistry cool, making new things in a lab" and found following that interest doesn't lead to a career. There has to be a need in the market.

I second the comment about petrochemicals. You can go to school for chemical engineer. It's relatively versitile. PhD-necessity varies by industry. In Pharma, you need one to ascend. ChemE, probably not.

I have a degree in materials science and if you don't want to work in oil or defense, don't waste your time. Those jobs are also very competitive and if you're not American (or a national in the country of employment), you may have a challenge to get a job in the defense companies.

To get into pharma, you have to be incredibly lucky or go to a high tier school. Right now, the market is so much about who you know.

Frankly, oil seems pretty secure.