Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Cosmetic Industry Career Is this typical?

  • Is this typical?

    Posted by lelawarren on May 9, 2015 at 9:45 pm

    Is it typical to get hired into an analytical lab without any college education? I have 9 years experience making cosmetics and showed them some of my products. They said I was a top candidate of 15.

    Is this too good to be true?

    lelawarren replied 9 years, 2 months ago 4 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • lelawarren

    Member
    May 9, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    Also, is there anyone willing to give me a few moments of their time? :)

  • Bill_Toge

    Member
    May 9, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    given that you’ve shown them actual physical evidence of your ability to formulate products (hence, an indication of your work-related competence), I’d say they’re sensible to put you on the shortlist

    related: when I was 17/18 I was living in sub-breadline poverty and really couldn’t afford to go to university; my first job in this industry (age 23) was entirely based on the strength of several years’ experience as a QC technician in a related industry

  • lelawarren

    Member
    May 9, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    Do you feel as though me not knowing all correct terms will become an issue? I’m hoping to be working right next to one of their top formulators as a cosmetics and color matcher.

    I feel like a little fish about to jump into a tank of sharks!

  • MarkBroussard

    Member
    May 10, 2015 at 12:03 am

    I have 3 degrees, including 2 masters degrees.  I can tell you that college is great benefit, but nothing trumps experience.  So, don’t be threatened.  If you are competent, you’ll learn much more from your professional colleagues and work experience than you would ever learn in university. 

    University really just teaches the basics, not any meaningful applied science.  I remember my first job.  After the first week, I realized I have been in college for 6 years (BS & MS) and I really did not know anything!

  • lelawarren

    Member
    May 10, 2015 at 12:12 am

    I think I’m more worried about not knowing proper lab etiquette and all the new machinery. Any suggestions on skills or knowledge I should start learning now? I thank you for your time :)

  • MarkBroussard

    Member
    May 10, 2015 at 12:16 am

    Every lab is different and has different equipment.  They will train you on their specific equipment and methods.  If you know their niche/focus … start reading up on those techniques.

  • Chemist77

    Member
    May 10, 2015 at 1:12 am

    I absolutely agree with @MarkBroussard on being in college and know nothing, in fact now only after the experience I understood what it was that I studied in my BS.

  • lelawarren

    Member
    May 10, 2015 at 2:31 am

    Thank you! :)

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