Microbiology Degree - Job Advice

jantheman91

Hi Guys,

I'm just posting this as I'm kind of at my wits end so to speak.

I graduated from TCD in '13 with a B.A in Microbiology and have been unable to land a job in my field.

Every job I see advertised requires at least 3-5 years experience - which I do not have.

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. I've even failed to get a regular job because I have little to no work experience.

I applied for a Masters in Biotechnology at UCD this year, and my application was deemed 'late' because they changed their closing date without altering it on the departmental site, and as a result of me waiting on an academic reference to arrive I missed it by 2 days. They took my money for the application, it went through, and they said I would be placed on a waiting list until a space became available - it never did.

So now that avenue has been exhausted I come here looking for some advice.

I feel absolutely useless to be honest with you.

Any help would be appreciated because I'm feeling a bit depressed.

Thanks!

Tarzana

I graduated in microbiology in 2009 and pretty much immediately started applying for jobs in the UK. I knew there would be nothing here in the pharma line. Get out of the country, seriously.

Alternatively, if you're interested in research, you could apply for research assistant posts or PhDs?

jantheman91

Tarzana wrote: »

I graduated in microbiology in 2009 and pretty much immediately started applying for jobs in the UK. I knew there would be nothing here in the pharma line. Get out of the country, seriously.

Alternatively, if you're interested in research, you could apply for research assistant posts or PhDs?

I would love to get up and leave but unfortunately don't have the savings to cover rent and the likes.

Can I ask you what exactly it is you are doing at present, and how you went about getting it?

I suppose I could apply for jobs in the UK as I imagine I could work out a way of receiving an advance to pay for accomodation.

In terms of research, I have little to no interest I'm afraid.

I like the Lab Technician side of things : Gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, Cell-culturing, ELISA, Electroporation, etc..

Any more advice or help would be appreciated, and thank you for taking the time out of your day to comment!

It means a lot.

Tarzana

jantheman91 wrote: »

I would love to get up and leave but unfortunately don't have the savings to cover rent and the likes.

Can I ask you what exactly it is you are doing at present, and how you went about getting it?

Well, I'm leaving science actually, because I'm not suited to it.

My first grad job was as a quality control technician in a UK government agency. I saw the job advertised in New Scientist, applied for it, thought I'd never hear anything about it again, got an interview, did loads of research and got the job! I had the job moving over. I think the job required a 2.1. Do you have a good degree?

My friend got a job in ICON out of college during the recession. She went for an interview, didn't get the job, rang up looking for feedback and they offered her a job sorting samples in a lab. She worked her way up and was a biomedical scientist within three years. She had a 2.2.

You really need to be persistent and determined!

jantheman91

Tarzana wrote: »

Well, I'm leaving science actually, because I'm not suited to it.

My first grad job was as a quality control technician in a UK government agency. I saw the job advertised in New Scientist, applied for it, thought I'd never hear anything about it again, got an interview, did loads of research and got the job! I had the job moving over. I think the job required a 2.1. Do you have a good degree?

My friend got a job in ICON out of college during the recession. She went for an interview, didn't get the job, rang up looking for feedback and they offered her a job sorting samples in a lab. She worked her way up and was a biomedical scientist within three years. She had a 2.2.

You really need to be persistent and determined!

I have a 2.1 myself.

I'll just have to keep at it I guess.

Thanks again!

Tarzana

jantheman91 wrote: »

I have a 2.1 myself.

I'll just have to keep at it I guess.

Thanks again!

I'm shocked at the skillset Irish pharma companies require of candidates. I don't know how any graduate is supposed to get their start!

What about the officey science side of things? Clinical data management and such?

jantheman91

Tarzana wrote: »

I'm shocked at the skillset Irish pharma companies require of candidates. I don't know how any graduate is supposed to get their start!

What about the officey science side of things? Clinical data management and such?

It baffles me as well. I get the impression that (in Ireland at least) experience holds more weight than an actual degree. The majority of jobs listed tend to have the experience in bold writing, whereas the degree is a plus.

I'm not exactly sure what that would entail but an office setting isn't something I would be opposed to. I am very computer literate and could see myself being of use in that setting. I am not looking to work in a laboratory specifically. Anything I can do which takes advantage of the degree I have will do just fine!

The only thing I have no interest in is R&D.

Tarzana

Look into clinical data management.

Tarzana

Also, best of luck OP, I really understand your frustration all too well.

jantheman91

Tarzana wrote: »

Also, best of luck OP, I really understand your frustration all too well.

Thanks for taking the time out to speak to me.

I plan on handing out more CV's in as many retail shops as possible.

I'll apply for a Master's again next year as I see it as the best way to do things.

Best of luck in the future!

InReality

I'd apply anyway no matter what the experience required is. In my area , IT area , most experience requirements are "ideals" , which can can be divided by 2/3 to get to what an employer might consider.
The same may apply in yours.

Sugar Free

OP, sent you a PM.

ShaunsMads

Hi guys,

This my EXACT same problem!! Literally down to a tee..

I also have a degree in Microbiology since 2013. Endless searching for a jobs, to be told I don't have the experience for the job. (We didnt have co-op or anything like that in our course).

I am now currently at my wits end. Im not even sure now if Micro is what I want to do anymore. Im a little fed up but I think that could be because I havnt succeeded. I have been looking into Veterinary Medicine as I have always had a passion for animals. But I am also looking into a masters also..Seen a masters in surrey for veterinary microbiology that looked interesting.

Sorry for the rant, as you can tell I am all over the place and dont really know what I am doing. I dont really know what kind of advice I expect back from this! :P

I am interested to know what masters people have done after microbiology and where they are working now. Any advice at all I would be so greatful.

Constantly on my mind now..

tippgirl123

So I graduated last year with a pharmacology degree. Knew it would be next to immposible to get a job in a lab straight out so I went for a job on the line in a medical device company started there in June last year. While I was there got to know people and an assistant job in the came up in the chemistry lab. Just general glassware cleaning and paperwork more than anything. But I went for it to try and get my head in the lab so I got that and started that in Jan. Then micro was very busy and I became the assistant in there in march and gradually started doing environmental monitoring then someone left and now I'm a micro techichan.
Its all about building your way up. They much rather move people around in the company than hire someone new.

So try and get into a company and work your way from the bottom to the top. Gain your experience that way.
Also look out for regenaron in Limerick. Start up so might be jobs going there.