Biochemistry is Crude Oil

Every Biochemistry student and graduate should read this, but most importantly, try to answer this question:

'What is the value of my Biochemistry degree?'

You would think it is a straightforward question—until you start to realize that all you have in your head are metabolic pathways, none of which are clearly pointing you toward fulfillment.

One of the things that intrigues me about Biochemistry is how two-faced it looks. On one side is its criticality for practical and healthy living, and on the other is the abstraction of this knowledge.

Let me give you an example:

By Biochemistry, you understand that for insulin to work, it must be both activated and bound to the right receptor. You don't look at your stomach or a blood sample and see this activity. However, insulin not binding correctly could be the dividing line between health and death.

I have come to realize that the value of the Biochemist is not at the surface level.

A Biochemistry degree is like crude oil.

The process of getting it is not pretty.

After getting it, it doesn't look like much.

The true value is not what it is, but what can come out of it.

All that can and will come out of it depends on how much refining it is passed through.

So, I ask the question again: 'What is the value of your Biochemistry degree?'

I follow it up with another question: 'How much are you willing to bring out from the crude you are getting or have gotten?'

What products should the world be expecting from your 'crude'? Because until you unlock the value within, the money and resources without will never find you or your BSc in Biochemistry.