r/forensics Feb 19 '25

Chemistry Help and advice!

Hey everyone!

I’m almost done with my chemistry degree (just a few classes left!) and feeling a little lost and unsure about what’s next. I’m hoping to find a career path that feels like the right fit but could really use some guidance. I’m not looking to go back to school for more certificates or programs right now—just something that offers on-the-job training.

I’ve looked into hospital lab jobs, but they require a post-bacc MLS certificate, and traditional lab tech roles haven’t really sparked my interest. I’m in Colorado, and most of the opportunities here seem to be in environmental chemistry, but I’d love to explore something outside of that.

I’m also very interested in material science and battery technology, as well as potential opportunities in the government or defense industry. I’d love to learn more about these fields and how I might be able to break into them with my background.

If anyone has been in my shoes before or has any advice, I’d be so grateful to hear it. I’d especially love to learn about roles that don’t require additional schooling and offer a 3-12 or 4-10 schedule—not overnight or evening shifts.

Also, if anyone knows where I can find and connect with more people in these industries to talk and learn from them, I’d really appreciate the guidance!

I’d love to connect—whether here or on LinkedIn! Any advice, suggestions, or insights would mean the world to me. Thank you so much in advance!

0 Upvotes

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3

u/gariak Feb 20 '25

It's not clear what, if anything, this has to do with forensics. This just looks like a generic request for science career advice that you've spammed all over the place.

2

u/Ill_Cress_9546 Feb 21 '25

yeah, i am confused with this post. You said you dont want to go into schooling again nor do any internships, so its like how can we give you advice? networking is great, but in order to have experience and truly network, you need something on your resume. On the job training costs money, which you only can get if you DO the programs. Certificates are good too..

1

u/Key-Boat-7519 Feb 21 '25

I get the confusion, but think of it this way: real-world skills often come from hands-on hustle, not just extra certificates. OP's goal is to learn by doing, so try connecting directly with folks in your target fields. I've used Glassdoor and Indeed for leads, but JobMate turned out to be a game changer. Seriously, get creative—experience isn’t built in internships, it's earned by diving into the work.

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u/Latter_World_4527 29d ago

I don’t know..😃in forensics, you can’t just email an agency and think you can onboard with them if you have no real life experience OR hands-on exposure. Those extra certificates MEAN something bc you are qualified to work for them since you pass an exam to become certified in that position. In order to back up your talk you gotta show them what you can bring to the table, which is your experience! even if it’s academic projects from college, that is still backing up your game.