Interview with a Chemistry Major and Biology Major

A chemistry major studies the composition, structure, properties, and transformations of matter which can lead to many unique career paths. From working in medicine to healthcare to research, this degree can take you far. To dive deeper into the intricacies of this major, I interviewed Leanne Wiedemann, a scientists who spends her time organizing records, collaborating with others, writing grants, and teaching those around her. I asked Dr. Wiedemann a series of questions regarding her chosen undergraduate major and current career path, and here are her responses:

What school did you attend for your undergraduate degree?

"St Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, a small Catholic liberal arts college. I went there because they had a 3 year Medical Technician program... but realized I wasn’t good at taking blood and other medical things like that, so switched to Chemistry."

It is very common to change your major in college. Studies show that roughly one third of students change their major at least once, by the time they reach graduation. So, if your chosen major ends up not being a perfect fit, don't stick with something that doesn't interest you, feel free to switch into a more compatible program.

What was your undergraduate major?

"Chemistry with a minor in biology. I enjoyed being in a small group..., [having] access to the science faculty, [the] opportunities as a teaching aid, [helping] with lab setups, and [the] independent research projects there, but may have benefited from a larger school with a more developed science curriculum. For example, they only offered some advanced subjects every other year, so when I took my GREs which were important for Grad School applications, I hadn’t yet taken a full year of Physical Chemistry, which put me at a disadvantage at some of the Grad schools to which I applied."

There are advantages and disadvantages with attending smaller universities. They can have smaller class sizes, promote personal relationships with professors, and provide amazing research opportunities, but they can also limit what options are available to you. It is important to weigh these pros and cons when deciding what school you want to attend.

What is your current occupation, and how did your undergraduate major prepare you for your career?

"I am now a Staff Scientist about to retire in June 2026 (aged 71 yrs old). I love my job over the years, but am looking forward to retirement and volunteering and traveling!"

What does a regular day in your occupation look like?

"That is a hard question to answer, as the day changed tremendously between my PhD training, starting in 1976, and my last year going towards retirement! Currently, I...read scientific literature, and am trying to organize and downsize my records from the past 50 years...Tossing what is not needed and trying to organize the things that are either sentimental, or scientifically useful to others. Over the years I progressed from 100% [research at the] bench lab, [along] with...attending seminars and going to scientific conferences. – We are always expanding our knowledge base and studying! That part doesn’t change. But you move from doing the work yourself, to training and collaborating with others, climbing the ladder, writing grants, exploring new ideas, applying new technologies, incorporating computer analyses, writing [and publishing] papers...giving seminars, and teaching the next generation of scientists. I have friends, former students, and post-docs around the world, who keep in touch."

As your career flourishes, your responsibilities will grow and change with you. In Dr. Wiedemann's experience, her job shifted from conducting research to teaching the next generation of scientists. The many unique obligations that lab work entails are sure to keep your life interesting and busy.

Did you do any additional schooling after undergraduate school for your occupation? (If so, then what school/program and how long did it take?

"Yes, as reflected in my CV. [I completed] 4 yrs of PhD research and defended my dissertation, followed by two post-docs in Glasgow, Scotland (1 ½ yrs) and then to the Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA (3 yrs). Then I moved to an independent faculty position in London (Leukemia Research Fund Centre, where I became a tenured faculty, and the Deputy Director), before moving to Kansas City to help establish the Stowers Institute in 2000 and continue research in collaboration with Robb Krumlauf, in Developmental Biology. Below is the training I had as listed in my NIH Biosketch"

There are many different paths you can take after receiving your undergraduate major, but Dr. Wiedemann's path contained 4 years of PhD research and 4 ½ years of Postdoctoral Fellowships. This breadth of education helped her establish her own research institute and led to her success.

What was your favorite aspect of your undergraduate major?

"Working with the science faculty on independent research projects and teaching."

Most STEM majors recommend or require undergraduate research. Undergraduate research provides high-impact experiences that significantly improve student retention, lead to higher graduation rates, and better prepare students for graduate school and STEM careers.

What was the most challenging part of your undergraduate major?

"Physical Chemistry! I hated calculus and statistics too. I am not a good mathematician!"

What made you choose your undergraduate major?

"I loved science in high school. I went to all girls catholic high school where my favorite subjects were biology and chemistry."

If you are struggling to pick your major, ask yourself what you enjoyed in high school? Even though those interests might not perfectly reflect an available major, they can lead you in the right direction.