The struggles of an unlicensed chemist

I’m honestly not in a mood to think today… I’ve just been a bit down because in a few week’s time, I’ll need to move out again but this time, it’s not for work, it’s for my studies. I’ll be taking a licensure examination for chemists here in the Philippines. Yes, I’ve already graduated and unlike their promises in the college of getting job offers left and right, that, my dear friends, is one of the biggest lies they will ever tell you. 

The reality for a fresh grad chemist is:

That diploma doesn’t matter. What matters is if you’re licensed or not. So if you’re in the same country, I’m telling you now, better put a lot of effort into your certs and licenses because that’s mostly what companies are looking for. They don’t value performance enough. Except of course, if they have no choice. 

There is a lack of consideration when it comes to the professional regulatory board here. Not just in my program of study but basically in all areas like in architecture where a 2-year internship in all sectors is needed before they’ll be allowed to take the boards. And I think the accountancy boards will have that same policy too. As for us, we need to have published a research paper. Luckily I finished mine within my college years so I’m up and ready for the exam. 

But will there be an exam?

That we don’t even know anymore. They keep getting canceled left and right here. And for the batches that got caught in the pandemic… well, we’re all on the verge of an anxiety attack. None of us know if we’ll get licensed or if we’ll even get to take the exams. All we know is that we need to try to make ends meet somehow. And when it’s an unlicensed fresh grad applying, the requirements somehow get higher and harder to reach that it’s just ridiculous. 

It’s depressing, honestly. You’re a fresh grad, you have no license because there are no board exams and the employers are always looking for licensed or experienced professionals. What do you think will happen to the fresh grads, they’ll look for unrelated work like what I’ve been doing. 

The worst part is that sometimes, you pass all the interviews, all the things they need and want for their company, yet the moment they see that you’re unlicensed, they would tell you that you don’t qualify, even when they already laid out their offer. 

There was also the case where you were just waiting for a call from them so you can start gathering your pre-employment requirements, but as soon as someone that has a license applies, they won’t think twice about telling you that they don’t need you anymore. 

I can’t count the number of times I’ve been told: “We’re sorry, your credentials are outstanding, and so was your application interview but we see that you don’t have a license. Perhaps you could consider reapplying when you do get one. For the meantime, we’ll keep your profile here in the case you do” 

There was also: “We’ll be calling you soon, Based on your final interview with the lab head, they seem excited to have you” Only for HR to call a few days later with the news that they won’t proceed with your employment because you are unlicensed. 

It’s very disheartening, I swear. And kind of makes it traumatic for me to start applying again because of this. 

I want to work in the laboratory but I can’t. Not without a license. 

Why is the license so important?

It’s actually because of the Chemistry law of my country. It doesn’t allow unlicensed chemists to function in a laboratory without one. The only people allowed to function in a lab are licensed chemists or chemical technicians. It’s a really faulty law because they say it’s to protect chemists from getting their jobs stolen but it fails to protect the new grads that are far more qualified to be in a laboratory compared to chemical technicians who are often from other sciences courses. 

I just needed to rant about this, my apologies but I am terrified of applying again without that license. Yet you can’t blame the companies because they’re just following the law, else they’ll be fined for hiring an unlicensed professional. 

In a country where licenses and titles are everything… it’s hard to do anything about issues like this.