Career paths involving chemistry with a criminal background.

[Jayman]

I have always loved chemistry even before i was suppose to take it in highschool. I just loved anything involving science since i was a shorty. But unfortunaly i had a bad bad run in with the law about 2 years back. I am now 22 and was wondering if I chose to persue a chemistry profession would I or could I even find a job?

I have a long way to go. I dont even have my GED, i quit 3 months before graduation 8) ... a month later i got arrested for a year. I intend on getting my GED next month and am researching to see if i can qualify for federal aid. The worst part is i dont even know basic chem... I have a chem text book i stole from school that i am teaching my self atm. I won't get the full understanding / experience i would have since i am doing it self taught but atleast its a foundation to build apon. Any response is appreciated and hopefully it will be positive.

 

[Coolio]

Why would a criminal record matter in a career in chemistry? It'll be like 6, 8, 10, 12 years before you're out of school. There are plenty of places where potential employers can't ask about felonies past a certain amount of time (like 5 years in Washington State) or if you move out of the country I doubt you have to worry about the background check. By then you could also maybe get a pardon or expungement, using your academic performance in school as evidence that you've turned your life around and deserve it.

I hope my advice is sound, as I want to go into the same career and suffer similar setbacks.

 

[Jayman]

Coolio, your the greatest. You bring up a point I overlooked. I think its like 7 years here in Louisiana and i should be out of school by then. You were right on about using my secondary education as proof of being rehabilitated as the government likes to call it.

Wish you luck my friend, as Will Smith says in Pursuit of Happiness " Do what you want to and dont let anyone tell you otherwise."

 

[oohcow]

^ QFT

seriously, i suffer the same setbacks (felonies)

and i am currently in a professional study

 

[yucatanboy2]

Yeah, as long as you can get your GED, get good grades/scores and get into good college, I don't think the felonies will be a problem, except for some financial aid.

Let me if you have chemistry education questions (im a chem grad student), and what kind of chem are you interested in?