maybe you can read this, and then tell me I'm crazy again.
Okay. You're crazy again (still?).
I've been through similar; my whole life growing up everyone said go into science and you'll have a wonderful career... but the truth is that the US employment base is not focused on technology development or science for profit, it is focused on services... There aren't enough careers for all these scientists, the best bet is to look for the number one employers-- the federal government or academia... for those who detest socialism in all it's forms, this makes for tough choices. She could try to start her own business, but since her education didn't prepare her for that it may not be as easy as it sounds. I do wish our education system counselled students on the reality, rather than what they think is best for society. My best friend (PhD ten years, over a hundred scientific publications in molecular biology, brilliant man and EXTREMEMLY hard working) just turned forty two and has never made over $38,000 a year... reminds me of Germany before the war... the train conductors and factory workers made 4 to 5 times as much as PhD's, which led to a new kind of socialism for the educated class; the "betters" to oversee the "workers"-- you and I know it as National Socialism... my point being a disaffected professional class and/or middle class historically has led to ruinous forms of government.
You are crazy again. Apparently, there aren't many opportunities for a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry in the portion of Oregon where this woman lives. Heck, I wonder what the opportunities for a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry are in Chicago. I do know that increasing tariffs on imports isn't the answer.
Chemistry hasn't been a desired degree for as long as I can remember. Not even in the seventies, unless there is a guaranteed job in R&D Better to be a pharmacist or chemical engineer. A chemical engineering degree offers the most flexibility especially if you do a little extra work in electrical courses. Its like having 3-4 degrees.
Please add me to your 'oceanview is crazy' ping list.
Regarding the article, a woman follows her husband around the country job after job and she can't keep employed in her highly specialized field? Thats normal, not a sign of any kind of problem with the labor market. The woman even knows the solution. If you are going to follow someone around when they change jobs then you should pick a career accordingly.