Biology grad looking for a job- So nervous!

Nala

Hi everyone,
Well I'm just finishing up the Biology degree now (think I'll get a 2.2...I hope) and I'm looking for a job. I have 4 year's experience in lab work but I'm really scared I won't be any good at putting this experience to use in a job, all we ever did was follow the instructions we were given. The job descriptions look quite daunting- quality control etc type jobs, I'm scared I'll be out of my depth.

There is still the option of me doing a Master's next year but I am at least looking for a job for the summer. I am working in a supermarket at the moment and I have to get out of it. I can't stick it anymore. I was thinking of applying for a job in an office. Is this type of work hard? I'm good with computers, well used to Internet Explorer, MS Word and I'm OK at Excel. I have never worked in an office before but I would like the hours and lots of people work in offices so it can't be that bad?

If anyone has any advice for me I would really appreciate it. Oh and a lot of the jobs are advertised by recruitment agencies, are they any good?

Thanks

Nala

DublinWriter

Nala wrote:

Hi everyone,
Well I'm just finishing up the Biology degree now (think I'll get a 2.2...I hope) and I'm looking for a job. I have 4 year's experience in lab work but I'm really scared I won't be any good at putting this experience to use in a job, all we ever did was follow the instructions we were given. The job descriptions look quite daunting- quality control etc type jobs, I'm scared I'll be out of my depth.

There is still the option of me doing a Master's next year but I am at least looking for a job for the summer. I am working in a supermarket at the moment and I have to get out of it. I can't stick it anymore. I was thinking of applying for a job in an office. Is this type of work hard? I'm good with computers, well used to Internet Explorer, MS Word and I'm OK at Excel. I have never worked in an office before but I would like the hours and lots of people work in offices so it can't be that bad?

If anyone has any advice for me I would really appreciate it. Oh and a lot of the jobs are advertised by recruitment agencies, are they any good?

Thanks

Nala

Hi Nala,

First off, you'll really need to be aiming at at least a 2.1 if you want to go on and do a MSc.

We've all been scared starting our first 'real' job. Don't sweat it, just jump in, they won't be expecting you to come up with a theorectical cure for Cancer on your first day.

Lastly, be leary about agencies. They've only got their own interests and commission at heart, so don't expect any hand-holding and long career-development chats with them.

Best of luck.

chump

The 2.1 thing doesn't apply quite as much to science degrees as they tend to mark harder, I know quite a few ppl with good 2.2's who went on study further in the sciences.

[Jackass]

Anybody employing a college grad will know they have little or no practical experience and are mainly about having a good knowledge of the industry/area of work but would provide full training on applying this to practical lab work etc.

Besides, you can raise the issue of what exactly does the work entail and what kind of training if any is provided at the intereview stage.

Don't be afraid to do this and it will give you an early indication if you would enjoy the work there which is the most important thing and just because you go for an interview dosen't mean you have to take the job if offered so dont feel like you have to rush into anything.

Best of luck with it and with a agencys I'd advise to try to get a job without them, but if you're finding it difficult consider them, but usually with grads on their first job hunt they'll send you to a job not that suitable to your qualifications and is in the most part monkey work because you'll be innocent and naieve and probably wont know much better when you get into the job that this is really the very bottom of the ladder and if you look around you could start higher in a more significant role.