GUEST EDITORIAL: Is a Career in Chemistry Viable?
When I accepted a position at Essex County College almost thirty years ago, my goal was not to turn out Ph.D.s but to prepare people for entry level jobs as chemical technicians. I think I succeeded over the years, since hundreds of my students are employed in the chemical process industry. But, based on what is now happening in the industry, I question if my goal is still possible.The chemical and pharmaceutical industries have undergone extensive downsizing. Thousands of people have been thrown out of work or at least out of full-time permanent positions. The chemical industry is now dominated at all levels by contract (full-time temporary) workers. Post-secondary educational institutions are not exempt. There are five adjuncts for each tenured position. There are people who have been contract workers at the same company for more than five years; contract workers or adjuncts without health benefits, pension plans, or job security.
What does one need to do to prove her/his worth? There are people who were downsized out the door and then invited back to apply for lesser paying jobs having the same responsibilities or hired back as contract workers to do the same analysis they did as permanent employees. I am a firm believer in the free enterprise system, but these are gross injustices.
Chemical and pharmaceutical companies need to clean up their act. The July/August 1996 issue of Today's Chemist at Work reports that chemical companies are making more money than ever with 70,000 less employees than in 1987. Keep in mind that contract workers are not considered employees. If you apply for a technician job at many of these companies, you will be told there is a hiring freeze. However, if you apply at a contract agency, you will be given a list of openings that include the same companies. The stocks that have consistently performed best for me have been for companies that take a long term view. It is time for the chemical and pharmaceutical companies to do some long time planning as to their employment needs and the best utilization of their human resources.
1 Does it make sense for the ACS and the chemical process industry push the "school-to-work" program if there are no new jobs? Ciba-Geigy and Hoffman La Roche are hiring in Alabama and South Carolina, but these are not new jobs. They are replacing those that were lost when New Jersey production facilities closed. Can we in good conscience direct our students to chemical technology training programs knowing that they can only look forward to work as contract employees?
- Rudolph B. Jones
(Editor's Note: Professor Jones is a member of the Chemistry Department of Essex County College, Newark, NJ 07102. He is also President of the Chemistry Teachers Club of New York. This editorial is reproduced from the Chemistry Teachers Club Newsletter for November 1996.)
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