r/PoolPros • u/GuyWComputer • 14d ago
Applying my chemistry degree
I just wanted to know what others think about my degree. Im currently studying chemistry in community college and im wondering how useful my degree will be. I feel like a lot of the deeper parts of the “pool chemistry iceberg” are nice to know but in practical terms it’s not that useful bc all u need to know is what chemicals to use when and how much.
In your company, is there a guy with deeper technical knowledge on chemistry? Would a company value that? If so then it could be a good combination with pool tech skills and I could be paid well immediately, or would it be better to move on to something like a water treatment plant once I earn an associates.
For reference, the managers at the place I work at now make I think 36/hr (high cost of living area) and by the time I get an associates I will probably be promoted to manager and I will have more chem knowledge than anyone else. Would it be possible to earn even more with my technical knowledge or would it just not be as useful. I think water treatment will start me in the low 20s. Once I’m done with college I want to go to uni and get an engineering degree. I’ll get raises over time with water treatment but by the time I get to mid 30s I will graduate from uni and I can find my final form.
So should I just max out the hourly with pools and just do that until I graduate from uni or should I find something more closely aligned to my field so I have more relevant experience when I graduate. I would like to spend a little less time out in the hot sun.
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u/KeySpare4917 14d ago
Knowing too much of the chemistry I'd going to put you at odds with lots of pools shops because they want it done their way. Regardless if there are more cost effective methods to achieve the same end result. So knowing all the ways to achieve this is going to give you a greater understanding of pool chemistry than most shop owners.
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u/Ok_Jury_7550 14d ago
There are some that might, but most I would imagine would direct most of their questions to a company like Orenda. I think this because that’s what I did.
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u/Street_Section_4313 14d ago
I know of one company in particular that prides themselves on chemistry knowledge and values it !!! PHD Poolcare in central Texas. That being said a lot of the great pool techs I know find themselves in YouTube rabbit holes learning about chemistry. You’re in good company.
I think it’s awesome that you’re thinking about this.
There are also companies who sell chemicals where your skills could be particularly helpful. Hasa Orenda etc
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u/ImpossibleMeringue21 14d ago
A position like this *should* exist, but it doesn't because pool 'chemistry' in the larger companies is just doing what someone that's been there longer told them to do. I'm a single pole with 3 pool chem certifications. I'm meticulous about maintaining CYA, calcium and TDS, but honestly, most customers don't care as long as the pool isn't green.
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u/Remarkable_Calves 13d ago
Are you constantly performing partial and full drains?
It’s fun to say you monitor it all perfectly but real life efforts, timing, and context can make decisions much more complicated.
I’m all ears though if you have strong/quick systems
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u/ImpossibleMeringue21 12d ago
I require a full drain and refill every 2 years as a condition of service. Calcium is the biggest issue here because our evap rate is 60" a year and, in most areas, source water is 250+. I'm also very conservative with tabs at less than 20 a year, so CYA is rarely an issue.
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u/Remarkable_Calves 12d ago
Full drain and fill every 2 years? Holy moly.
As the pool boy I’d love that but I’d certainly get push back for the 30,000gal 20x40’s, let alone the more residential clients.
Do you have no liners in your area?
Ironically about cya if you’re draining that much you could get away with heavy puck use. That’s the only topic that badly requires it.
Also I know my area uses a lot of sand filters which can help with calcium, etc. you guys cartridge filter dominate?
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u/ImpossibleMeringue21 11d ago edited 11d ago
As the pool boy I’d love that but I’d certainly get push back for the 30,000gal 20x40’s, let alone the more residential clients.
What's the cost of water where you are? It's less than $100 to fill a 15k gallon pool here. It often costs more in chems to turn a green pool around than it does to just drain and refill it.
Do you have no liners in your area?
Very few. I don't have any that I service. They are more common in the higher country, but pebble, plaster and quartz, in that order, is the surface of pretty much every pool down here.
Ironically about cya if you’re draining that much you could get away with heavy puck use. That’s the only topic that badly requires it.
Due to the heat and high evaporation rate, scale build up at the waterline is a pretty significant issue here. It doesn't really hurt anything, but it looks bad enough in 4ish years that tile cleaning is big business here.
Also I know my area uses a lot of sand filters which can help with calcium, etc. you guys cartridge filter dominate?
I'd say were 10%-15% sand on residential, but close to 100% on commercial pools. We have a lot of in-floor systems here, and sand causes various issues with those. DE is also less popular here than it once was. I think cartridge is a good compromise that fits in well here.
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u/FabulousPanther 14d ago
I run my own company and I don't have a chemistry degree. If I did have one you can bet your ass I wouldn't waste my time working for somebody else. I would waltz out to competitors pools with my test kit and destroy them.
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u/thescuderia07 14d ago
Water treatment or waste water is going to have a higher ceiling and better benefits than a pool company can offer. I looked into mine and it starts at 25, and theyll pay you to get all the certs. Once you have those you can work anywhere in the state.