Getting experience with a Bio degree

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by recent biology graduates in securing employment, particularly focusing on the lack of relevant work experience and potential pathways to gainful employment. Participants explore various options such as volunteering, internships, and further education.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern for their sister, a recent biology graduate, who struggles to find a job due to lack of relevant experience.
  • Another participant suggests that a biology degree may not be immediately useful for employment unless one pursues teaching, but mentions the federal government's pathways program as a potential opportunity.
  • A participant recommends exploring retail management as a viable career path, suggesting it could lead to higher earnings than some biology-related jobs.
  • Some participants propose environmental work and volunteering on organic farms as alternative routes that align with a biology background.
  • There is a suggestion that pursuing graduate school may enhance job prospects for those with a biology degree, as advanced degrees are often necessary for employment in the field.
  • One participant notes that many individuals with biology degrees do not secure sustainable jobs, reinforcing the idea that further education might be essential.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the best pathways for biology graduates, with no consensus on a single solution. Some advocate for further education, while others suggest alternative employment routes outside of traditional biology roles.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various job opportunities and educational paths, but there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of these options for securing sustainable employment in the biology field.

sourlemon
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My sister graduated about half a year ago, but she's having trouble finding a job. She doesn't have any work experience related to Bio but she worked at CVS and H&M before doing retail work. I'm worried for her. Every job posting requires work experience or a certificate.

For those of you who didn't work during your college years, how did you guys get your foot in the door? Did you volunteer at hospital? If so, what position? Do you know if there's any internship that's offered for student who graduated? I came across a few, but they all aimed at undergrad mostly :(
 
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A biology degree isn't really useful for getting a job right out of school unless you teach. However the federal government has a pathways program where they hire new graduates and pay them pretty well, if you do well then you move on to better jobs and pay. www.usajobs.gov
 
That's a great website. Thank you caldweab :) I'll tell my sister to start looking through it
 
Why not go the retail route? With a degree she might be able to get on a fast track management path. In a few years she could be earning a lot more than any biologist, or any federal employee.
 
She doesn't like retail. She likes biology so it'll be nice to find something of that sort.
 
What about environmental work? It's easy to find volunteer work in that area. Some areas of retail are biology related, like anything to do with food standards, e.g. local sourcing:

http://www.asdasupplier.com/about-us/local-sourcing

Or why not farming? You can volunteer to work on organic farms, and a lot of agriculture is heavily science based.
 
sourlemon said:
She doesn't like retail. She likes biology so it'll be nice to find something of that sort.

She should go to graduate school then. "Pure" science degrees are best complimented with a graduate degree if you want employment in the field.
 
Haha, she's also tired of school. But it looks like that's one of the best option right now. She's currently taking free online courses so it's a step forward I hope :/

mal4mac, environment work sounds like a good choice. Farming is not a bad idea either. Obviously not at the moment since the weather is so cold. But I'll look into that. Thanks.
 
From what my mom has told me all of the people she knows that got bio degrees typically don't get sustainable jobs. Grad school is most likely the best option because PhDs in a science discipline are usually necessary to get the job in the field.
 

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