Tasin Anika

Research Critical Analysis Paper

FIQWS

 

                              Career Analysis

                                             

 

        Life is an unfolding process of becoming greater versions of ourselves. Life is a journey of learning not a destination to complete. I always used to think that life is about finishing your studies and getting a good job. But I have never thought about the process nor thought about how to design it. Also I did not have the idea of putting up my thoughts together from my point of view or how I view the world. However when the idea of choosing a major emerged, the thought of designing the process arose. A lot of questions arose but along the way of solving these questions, I found out ideas and major to explore for specific careers. After researching I have generated few ideas to choose specific majors and careers. Though there are some benefits and trade offs in every majors but after weighing my options of abilities and interest I choose few careers that are included in those certain majors I would like to study and focus on.

 

        As we become more enlightened, we get to know ourselves more. When you connect to your true self, then life is limitless and anything you can possibly imagine can be your reality. I have uncovered a few ideas to explore more about designing the career. Since I have started planning and looking forward to the future, I have uncovered which would be the best career to choose based on some searches. Narrowing my search of interest in problem solving, exploring /observing and investigating, I have found my Holland Code to be I,R or I,R,C, which are Investigative, Realistic and Conventional. Therefore the common code came out to be Investigative and Realistic and career majoring in subject that includes in STEM field. Since I had always been interested in science and environment, I had chosen to focus on these majors – Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or Astronomy. Therefore narrowing my searches using Onet I have found few careers that are based these code, also includes majoring in any of these specific field. Onet has been a great help here because it is really easy to use and understandable. It is very easy and effective to use because it has subdivisions to find occupations based on STEM major, industries, job zone, green economy sector and bright outlook. Green economy sector includes those occupations where employment demand will change, workers requirement such as task, knowledge and skill requirements will change. Whereas bright outlook occupations are those which will have more job openings and are expected to grow rapidly in next several years. Also Onet has advanced searches where I could search the careers I’m interested in based on my Holland Code, interests and abilities.

 

   From “Designing Your Life” book by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, I have also annotated my researches where I came to learn that when and during what kind of activities my energy level was really high and during which activities my energy level was draining out, as a result of which I knew when I could give my hundred percent or when not. Also got to understand what are my abilities which can meet up the challenges in particular tasks of future career fields. For example: I have found that activities with specific goals such as when writing a paper or talking about specific points, if I know what to tell or write about I can easily tell it or write it. But activities without specific goals gets me stuck or blank, not knowing where to go or what to do.

From two of the past city college students who visited our class, I have came to learn from these interviews some of the important things which are about choosing a major and a mentor also the benefits of networking. About choosing a major, I have chosen to focus on majors based on my Holland code of interests and abilities.

And finding a mentor, firstly mentor is a person from whom we can learn something from their previous experiences, knowledge and skills. In a specific sense, mentor is a trusted person with experience and knowledge in a specific field from whom we can learn something from their past experiences, get advised and be guided towards our specific goals. This is where networking plays an important role. If we know a person we can talk to or approach for getting some help. Finding a mentor and networking plays a great role towards designing a life and a career.

 

       The college majors I considered choosing are Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Astronomy. And among these majors I consider choosing chemistry because I find careers based on chemistry and math much more interesting than any other subjects where I can observe/explore more other than that of a lot of memorization. Also help people and make a change creating impacts for the betterment of the community/society in enormous ways. Where there are more new challenges and connection between science and life. Where I can actually visualize how I can apply my knowledge of chemistry and math and see the impact or relation of it in the environment. Even though I had only two and a half year at high school and I could only take chemistry, physics and math courses, I don’t even consider if I have enough knowledge about them. Because the more I continue gaining knowledge on these subjects the more I feel like I’m knowing less but I’m getting to know more about how science rules beyond the universe. Also I feel like I’m getting more familiar with new stages of knowing the virtuality of the nature and how science interconnects with life. And the more I try to know chemistry more specifically about particles and reactions (radioactive reactions or redox reactions), the more I learn about how those reactions can help humans create more advanced society and impact creating a better world or else how can it backfire and result destroying mankind. This always leaves me astonished and getting more fascinated about studying it. As a result I’m always intrigued and drived by the force of curiosity and motivation of studying it.

 

      Chemical engineering is also an interesting field that combines chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering. The purpose of this field is to create or improve the production of a variety of everyday necessities and improve standard of day to day life without harming the environment.  According to the searches based on Onet (O*net online website, November 13, 2018) an interesting career majoring in chemical engineering is Petroleum engineer or working as Chemical engineer which includes, “designing chemical plant equipments, devise process for manufacturing chemical, petroleum and gasoline products etc”. Another occupation in chemical engineering is Chemical Plant and System Operator that includes controlling and operating entire chemical process or system of machines. According to the Onet website their job is, “monitor recording instruments, regulate equipments in emergency situations, control and process chemical machines, inspect operating units and control chemical process”. They also need to know few technological skills such as: basic excel, word and office as well as few task based technological skills which are VPN software and industrial control software. This field also requires troubleshooting, critical thinking, monitoring, operation and quality control analysis. And requires knowledge in chemistry, english, public safety and security, production and processing. This occupation includes in green economy sector which means it will change upon demands.  And another occupation which is Environmental Engineering Technicians who applies “theories and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test and operate equipments and devices for controlling environmental problem according to Onet website. This career has both bright outlook and includes in green economy sector.

   

    Few other careers in chemical engineering are Medical Equipment Repairers. According to Onet website, they inspect and test malfunctioning medical related equipments. Test, evaluate and classify medical equipments serviceability and regularity. Their knowledge requirements are chemistry, math and engineering.This career field requires to know a lot of required technological skills based on the tasks of this career field/profession but nothing exaggerating technological skills like other researched careers. Those skills only requires to know Customer Relation Management Software or CRM software, few other software and basic excel software. Some other skills required are quality control analysis, troubleshooting, repairing, equipment maintenance and operation monitoring.

 

       Careers based on Chemistry which is I consider to be very intriguing and interesting is being Chemist. Chemists conduct qualitative and quantitative Chemical analysis and experiments in laboratories for quality of chemicals. They conduct process control and develop new products for healthier environment. According to Onet (O*net online website, November 13) the job titles based on Chemistry major are Analytical Chemists, Chemical Laboratory Scientists, Forensic Chemist, Forensic scientist, Quality Control Chemist, Research Chemist etc. According to Onet website, these career requires to analyze “reactions of organic and inorganic compounds, to determine the structure, also determine chemical and physical properties of elements”. They conduct quality control tests, conduct reactions, analyze effects of reactions also how can it be used for ensuring advanced world of productive and healthier environment. According to Onet, they also prepare test solutions and maintain laboratory instruments. Career in this major requires Investigative, Realistic or hands on activities and Conventional (working with data and details) skills that matches my Holland Code of abilities and interests which is I,R,C. Some other required skills are Inductive reasoning, oral and written comprehension also mathematical reasoning. And the subject matter to study for this field are Chemistry, Math, Computer and Electronics etc.

 

      Biochemists and Biophysicist are also career that requires majoring in Chemistry where job titles are Analytical Research Chemist, Laboratory Director, Research Assistant, Research Associate etc. According to Onet, this area work includes “studying the complex chemical combinations and physical combination of living cells, reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity and determine the effects of foods, drugs, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms”. Also working in this field requires to make presentations, writing scientific articles, preparing reports based on research, manage laboratory teams etc. According to Onet, it requires few basic technological skills such as CAD software, Graphics software, Object software and Analytical Scientific software. This field requires studying Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English and Maths. Other skills requires are using scientific rules, critical thinking, active listening and writing.

      

      Another interesting occupation based on Chemistry according to Onet website is Food Scientists and Technologists. They require all similar basic skills like critical thinking, analyzing chemical reactions etc. and basic technological skills like microsoft word, excel etc. Their required study area are Chemistry,Food production and also knowledge of plant and animal organism in biology. Other related occupations are Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers etc. which are mostly Green occupations.Other similar occupations are Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers etc. which are mostly Green occupations.

 

     Some of the pros or benefits for studying in Chemical engineering is that careers in this field like Chemical Plant and System Operator or Petroleum engineers, they can work provide new ways and eliminate traditional methods of oil usage or usage of different products and handle it with problem solving and technological skills. Also lowering the amount of wastage which is harmful for the environment with advanced technologies and saving many other natural resources.

However, one of the big trade off in this field is the fact that in order to become a chemical engineer, you will need at least a master’s degree, and oftentimes a doctoral degree as well. This requires a lot of time and a lot more study year.

Also few careers also requires a lot of technological skills as well as many research and creating thesis.

Another trade off is for any research or laboratory project it often gets a student to involve in talking good amount of student loans. Lack of free time is also another trade offs due to the fact that field of chemical engineering is always changing and advancing, chemical engineers must stay ahead and work really hard for which they don’t get enough time and off working time for themselves which is another big trade offs.

 

      The pros or benefit of majoring in Chemistry are also very similar as Chemical Engineering which deals with Chemical reaction, analyzing its process and using it for the betterment of the country. But careers in this field is requires a lot of researches and hands on activities based on data other than memorizing lots of theories. Careers in this field is where new ideas and methods are used to create healthier environment and an advanced world.  

But searching on many other careers that includes majoring in Chemistry I did not find trade offs that would made me not to choose/consider studying Chemistry as a major.

 

      Since I wanted to major in Chemistry, I would firstly finish up my pre-required classes which would take me through next two years, therefore with two of these summer holiday I will try to study on the required important topics or subjects matters related, such as, Chemistry, Physics or Maths. I will start researching about summer laboratory project opportunities and related summer programs (when and how can I join). Also I’ll try to look for someone who is working in career fields that includes majoring in Chemistry so that I can give a visit and try to find out how the actual environment would be or how the job zone would be. I will try to get the basic idea of what specific requirements does the work need, what kind of rivalry could be possible meet, what possible trade offs will I meet and how will I be applicable for the working in those environments. And after these two years when i’ll be given classes that are mostly focused on Chemistry I’ll get more familiar about working opportunities in this field. I will look for ways I can prepare myself for completing the major and applying in specific career fields.

 

       In conclusion, as my basic requirements to choose a major firstly depends on my abilities, areas of interest and as well as making a change towards the better future of the country. Secondly it includes careers where I don’t need to memorize a lot of theories to conduct my researches, where I would be able to conduct them based on my data, knowledge and analysis. Therefore, I choose to major in chemistry that includes careers which requires hands on activities based on data and analysis but not a lot of memorization. Also Chemistry includes career fields where I will be able to see the impact of applying my knowledge of chemistry or how can I do something that would impact the society (or make better changes). Because I dropped the idea of choosing Chemical engineering which requires to conduct tasks based on learning, memorizing/remembering a lot of theories other than hands on activities. It will also require me to study a lot more years activities and topics which I would not find interesting at all. As a result I might end up changing it and lose hope.  

 

     Also I did not want to choose other careers like Biology, Computer Science or Computer Engineering or else Business, where it would require me skills that I don’t have or I don’t to gain. Also a lot of memorization is a skill which is neither my ability nor I don’t find interesting at all. Whereas Chemistry is in the field of science which I find most interesting. This is a field which relates to Life and Nature other than biology which requires a lot memorization skill. Chemistry is where I find the connection between organisms and nature. It is an area of study where I can gain and apply my knowledge for the betterment of the country and the environment. Hence, Chemistry is where I find I belong to and it always finds its way pulling me back towards learning it more and more. Therefore I considered studying Chemistry in future and pursuing career based on this field. And I believe in the saying that “nothing comes out of our comfort zone”, therefore even If I don’t have enough knowledge about  this major but I will definitely stick towards it and complete studies based on this major. Therefore even if I had struggle, I’ll still strive studying and majoring in this subject.

 

Bibliography:

 

Burnet, Bill and Evans, Dave. “Designing Your Life” 2018.

 

O*net Online, build your future with O*net online, updated November 13, 2018.

Retrieved from

 

https://www.onetonline.org/find/quick?s=careers+in+Chemical+Engineering

 

https://www.onetonline.org/find/result?s=careers%20in%20Chemistry%20major&a=1