On becoming a Cosmetic Chemist

RocketPrinze

Hello everyone,

I joined this forum awhile ago but just got around to actually making my first post. I'm trying to obtain a Polymer Science and Engineering degree from the University of Southern Mississippi but I'm starting to have some doubts about my qualifications, whether I can actually get into the program, what will become of me if I get in, and finding a job afterwards. I've searched the About.com Chemistry page and came across a lot of negativity concerning people with chemistry/science degrees having to take low paying jobs with no benefits after busting their butts for years. I don't want to go through all of that trouble trying to get a degree only to wind up with a low-wage job. I already have a low-wage job despite having an undergrad degree in chemistry. I've been out of the chemistry field since 2006 now so finding a job as a lab technician is a no-go when a company can just snatch up a recent chemistry graduate. Am I wasting my time trying to go for this degree and shooting for the goal of being a cosmetic chemist or should I just go for something else, whatever that could possibly be? I'm constantly being told that I need to go back to school for that second degree because an undergraduate degree is no better than a high school degree these days, but what is the point in going back to school for more education and increasing the amount of loans I will need to pay back just for a high-paying job that might not exist when I graduate?

Robert Zonis

First, the good news: University of Southern Mississippi is the home base of Dr. Robert Y. Lochhead, Professor of Polymer Science, who is one of the most knowledgeable people around regarding the science of cosmetic chemistry. I'd be willing to bet that studying with him and getting a doctorate or even a masters degree would be enough to get at least interviews at any number of cosmetic companies.

Now, more good news. Cosmetic chemistry jobs are still out there, and as the economy improves, there will be more of them. It's still a pretty specialized field, and you can still get ok pay and benefits.

On the other hand, from a personal perspective, if I had the resources and the time, I'd go for a degree in Pharmacy. More job opportunities, better pay...

PerryR

This is an excellent question and a common experience for a lot of chemists I imagine.

When I first started in the cosmetic field (1992) I didn't have an advanced degree. I came in as a formulating chemist. I had no plans to become a cosmetic chemist while in school rather, I was just looking for a job...any job.

I even remember thinking as I left the interview that working for a "shampoo" company didn't seem very important. I figured I'd work there for a couple years then go back and get a PHD. That never happened. Mostly, because I liked the job and had no burning desire to study anything in particular.

My starting salary was low. $26,000 per year. I actually created a bit of a scandal because the offer was for $25,000 a year and I countered them with $28,000. They never had a beginning chemist do anything like that and that story stuck to me for a half dozen years after I was on the job. The R&D VP frequently referred to it whenever he would see me.

But I digress.

Chemists Salary

The truth is if you wanted to make a lot of money, you picked the wrong field. Jobs in Finance or Stockbrokers or Hedge fund managers make the big bucks. Chemists...not so much. If money is your driver, go get an advanced degree in Finance or something like that.

However, you can still make an excellent salary as a cosmetic chemist. When I left my job after 16 years I was making over $120,000 annually.

And I wasn't particularly ambitious nor did I have all the right skill set for moving up the ranks of corporate America.

I should note that my experience is probably not typical because I was able to increase my salary without moving jobs. Most people need to move jobs to increase their salary like I did.

Realities of being a scientist

If your focus is being a cosmetic chemist and doing a good job at that...you won't advance much in a corporation. Corporations value things like pleasing your boss, being bold and decisive in meetings, and making good presentations. They don't particularly value being a good scientist. To advance in a corporation you need to become a manager & you need to be a good "people person". Sucking up to your boss and your boss's boss helps too.

Many scientists have a hard time doing this.

Should you get an advanced degree?

We've written two pieces about this. You can see Kelly's thoughts here and then you can read my perspective.

There is certainly value in getting an advanced degree. But I'm not certain it will improve your prospects for starting a career in cosmetic chemistry. My advice would be to get a job first then start school after you've started your job. This way you can get your company to pay for your schooling. Many / most will.

That's what I ended up doing (as did Kelly).

In the cosmetic industry, I would disagree that an advanced degree is crucial. Just find that first formulating job, learn everything you can, then change jobs to improve your salary prospects.

Hope that helps!

Perry, 44

RocketPrinze

Thank you both for your comments. You helped a lot!

Robert Zonis

You also need to be aware that most cosmetic chemistry jobs are clustered around New York/ New Jersey, secondarily in/around LA and maybe also Chicago. There are a few scattered here and there in other spots of the country, but generally speaking, if you want to be a cosmetic chemist, you're going to have to move to the East Coast. Speaking from experience, having a cosmetic chemistry job away from an area where they are clustered is risky - if you want to leave, or you're downsized, you're going to have to relocate, and that makes finding a new position much harder.

On another note, Perry's final salary was really, really high for a cosmetic chemist. Usually, you need to be in some sort of management/supervisory role to make that much.

Bob Zonis

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