Graduating from the Citadel will be a big problem for your daughter. In the science field you get hired because of your ideology not your ability. Its better to have a degree from Evergreen or Bastyr.

@Bootsy - I disagree. Your comment seems overly cynical and binary. I believe that a career in science, like the rest of life, is what you make of it.

@SE - I have a BS from a Big 10 in biology and chemistry. Then I received a MS from UW in molecular genetics. My whole life has been about education and some lofty intangible goal. I felt mislead by the media when I first tried to join the work force and found very little waiting for me. More often than not it was the pay and lack of upward mobility that continually beat me down. I've struggled for years to keep my head above water as a single parent of 2. Nothing about my career has been easy thus far, and sometimes I feel like it will forever been an arduous uphill battle. I am disheartened at times when I see others in less technical, or less demanding jobs make so much more than me.

However, I absolutely love what I do. My scientific training has opened my eyes to an entire world of posibilites. It has made me stronger and it has helped me become the best father I can be. I wouldn't trade my job satisfaction for anything. Every day I get to come home from work and say "Ahhhh..... I made a difference today!"

I hope your daughter follows her passions. If they continue to take her down the road of physics then I think that is marvelous. But if she's waiting for a pot of gold at the end of the tunnel she may be very disappointed. That's not to say there is no money in the hard sciences, but she will likely have to remain determined and committed to the process for a very long time.

@Kristen - I have never read your column before, and I apologize if I am speaking out of ignorance. Your reply to SE seems unthoughtful and canned. I question whether or not you have any direct experience in the scientific fields.

Life sciences has become one of WA state's 5 largest industries and fastest growing. The best place to network and find out more about the community, as well as employment opportunities is at the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association (WBBA). The WBBA is the state's trade association for life sciences. You can find out what the latest events, news and jobs are at www.washbio.org.

Chris Rivera, President
WBBA