I just passed the UPCAT this year and got offered a slot for BS Agricultural Chemistry. It wasn't my priority course — my first choice was BS Chemical Engineering — but I got genuinely curious about AgChem after hearing that you can sit for both the Agriculture and Chemistry licensure exams. For context, I also passed BS Chemical Engineering in our local state university university, so I do have an alternative on the table.
Now, chemistry is my passion, and that's really what I want to pursue as a career long-term (yes, I'm well aware na minimal lang ang chemistry courses sa ChE, but it's still my priority prog haha). More importantly, I want to work abroad someday — gusto ko talagang makawala sa bansang ito 😅. Not here to undermine our country or local careers, I just have that goal for myself.
So here's what I'm trying to figure out. Most of the career paths I see for agriculture-based programs seem to be locally focused, and I'm having a hard time finding content about AgChem careers internationally. Are agriculture-based programs actually in demand abroad? And given that it's UP with the dual licensure perk, is BS AgChem worth choosing over BS ChemEng at a local university for someone whose end goal is to work in the field of chemistry?
Any insight from kuyas, ates, or anyone in the field would be super appreciated! 🙏