Is keeping your career options open a good idea?

I know on here I introduce myself as a chemist in the STEM industry, but I have never really talked about my professional development to get here. Growing up I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, as though I am meant to know exactly what path I was following. But I didn’t back then, and surprise surprise, I still don’t know. So, I have been working whilst keeping my options open, and here is how it has been going for me.

Where it all began

When I was 15, my school put us through a mini training day, to help us find out what kind of learners we were, so we could revise for our GCSEs using our strengths, rather than with the generic revision tools. During that day, the trainer said “If you don’t know what to do, do a STEM degree. They open doors and you can figure out your career as you go”. I hadn’t thought too much about that, because I was planning to do medicine, both at my dad’s encouragement and my genuine belief that I wanted to do it.

Budding little chemist.

I was so driven to be a lab chemist (she had no idea what was coming for her after her degree).

When I completed my GCSEs, I chose all Biology, Chemistry and Maths as my A levels. I did not enjoy the complexity (and maths) in Biology. I also hated looking at cells because they made me feel like they were crawling all over my skin. Maths was just disgusting. Period. So, when it came to UCAS applications, I got rejected from every med school I applied for. I will admit, I didn’t try hard enough to revise those med school entrance exams. Knowing I did not enjoy 2 out of my 3 A levels, it was a no brainer to pick the one I was enjoying to study as a degree. ✨Chemistry✨ And I picked the broadest course available, because I had no idea which part of chemistry I would like, and thus keeping my options open.

What I did next

I tried my best not to fail the course. My parents frequently expressed their concerns on what I would do with this degree, and for a while I made sure to repeat the same answer: “Chemistry is useful in pharmacy and medicine. I can finish this degree and go into med school after” SPOILER ALERT: I did not continue on to med school after that degree.

I was adamant, however, to go into the pharmaceutical industry. That was the most advertised place for people of science backgrounds, or at least it had the loudest voice. I picked the pharmacy optional modules, and applied for placements in the pharmaceutical sector. I am not in the pharma industry, and have never set foot in it since acquiring my degree.

I made sure to take any opportunity that came to me in those days, because I am a firm believer that any experience is still experience. So, when a quieter part of the STEM sector offered me a placement scheme, and then a graduate job (during the pandemic when graduate jobs were already shaky) I took my chance. Because I knew I could work there for a bit, get experience and move into a more relatable industry. SPOILER: I’m still working for that company, and the pharmaceutical industry goal is no longer in my interest to achieve.

She graduated chemistry, is working full time, outside of the lab and enjoying the money whilst dealing with the experience.

Not too bad for someone who has no idea what they want to do with their career.

What I am doing now

Like I said, I am still with that first company and because of its size, I am interested to see where I can apply my knowledge and learn. There is always a little nagging voice of fear that I don’t want to limit myself to 1 company my whole career, so I don’t know if I will stay until I’m 70, but I am at least ok with it in the meantime.

I have been getting opportunities to work with my local community and the wider sector. And right now, I am trying to make the most of my career opportunities, by applying for internal roles that would suit my development. My aim is to experience a few different areas now, before I decide on a ‘comfortable’ area or subject matter, for me to develop my expertise in and really sink my teeth into. I think that’s what I will like, but who knows, maybe my future self might have different priorities and dreams.

For me, keeping my options open means I choose to openly communicate that with my manager. Because they do need to plan for resource, and me keeping them in the know that I am not permanent, means they can work and plan accordingly. Some people say that’s rude, but it’s 2026, it’s now more normal for people to move around during their careers, you just have to think through it strategically.

TL;DR

-       Keeping your options open can be handy when you don’t know what you want yet. No need to lock yourself on an uncertain path yet.

-       Any experience, is still experience.

-       You can keep your options open and navigate a career, you just need to think strategically about it.

-       We shall see what I end up doing in the future haha.