biology degree not helping in finding jobs

[deleted1132659]

I have a biology degree and have been trying to apply every day to different hospitals and universities for a research job anywhere, wet lab research, clinical research, lab tech jobs, anything that would help my med school application. I have applied to almost 40+ different positions but have yet to have anything come out of it.

I already have clinical experience as a nurse assistant. Currently, I am too sick for graduate level classes and MCAT studying so I wanted to work part time just to keep busy. What would some other useful jobs be that would make my biology degree competitive in getting the job? Kinda lost. Been searching for a job for almost 3 months now.

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[Mr.Smile12]

I have a biology degree and have been trying to apply every day to different hospitals and universities for a research job anywhere, wet lab research, clinical research, anything that would help my med school application. I have applied to almost 40+ different positions but have yet to have anything come out of it.

I already have clinical experience as a nurse assistant. Currently, I am too sick for graduate level classes and MCAT studying so I wanted to work part time just to keep busy. What would some other useful jobs be that would make my biology degree competitive in getting the job? Kinda lost. Been searching for a job for almost 3 months now.

How much have you used your career services office BEFORE you starting applying for jobs? Have you gotten your resume and cover letter looked at so it can pass the ATS systems after you submit your job application?

Have you tried the HPSA Activity Finder search yet?

 

[deleted1132659]

How much have you used your career services office BEFORE you starting applying for jobs? Have you gotten your resume and cover letter looked at so it can pass the ATS systems after you submit your job application?

Im currently not in school, so I do not have a career service office to go to. Do they help out people who already graduated from the university?

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I probably applied to 750 jobs before I got mine. 40 isn’t that many

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Im currently not in school, so I do not have a career service office to go to. Do they help out people who already graduated from the university?

Most university career services offices I know of are happy to serve alumni.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Im currently not in school, so I do not have a career service office to go to. Do they help out people who already graduated from the university?

Your school doesn’t have something like handshake? I’m an alumnus and still get messaged for jobs on that site. Put up your resume and set it to Public.

 

[throwaway198773]

I applied to 85 jobs over the span of 6 months (job specific cover letters too...) during my senior year before receiving my only offer. Currently a research associate in a clinical lab at a large university in nyc. Keep grinding the applications, more apps, higher likelihood of landing an interview.

 

[MateoGM416]

I found my job as a phlebotomist by just hitting apply on every single lab assistant job on linkedin within the same state, trust me hospitals are desperate for lab assistants

 

[deleted1132659]

Your school doesn’t have something like handshake? I’m an alumnus and still get messaged for jobs on that site. Put up your resume and set it to Public.

Yes they have handshake. I didn't know about this until now. Does using handshake help over applying without using it?

 

[chilly_md]

If you have not checked there already, maybe there are government positions at USAjobs. Another realm to search depending on your proximity to their postings.

 

[deleted1132659]

If you have not checked there already, maybe there are government positions at USAjobs. Another realm to search depending on your proximity to their postings.

Thanks I will check that out too

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Yes they have handshake. I didn't know about this until now. Does using handshake help over applying without using it?

I think it definitely helped and I had a much better application to interview ratio on Handshake compared to LinkedIn or Indeed. Caveat being that I was mainly applying for finance and management consulting jobs because i didn’t think I would get into med school, but I’m sure it’s probably the same for hospital/research jobs. Public profile also helps because recruiters will reach out for jobs that you have a better chance at getting than if you cold applied. Good luck!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Again, I'd connect with your career services office before boldly shotgun-applying to jobs. I know it's hard not to seem desperate, but a misstep could possibly block you out of a lot of opportunities unnecessarily. Get some help or training. ATS is no joke.

(I really dislike Handshake as a recruiter. Really dislike Handshake.)

 

[chilly_md]

To elaborate if OP is unfamiliar, both for public and private careers, the resumes get analyzed through an Applicant Tracking Software. They pick up set keywords and phrases from resumes and usually rank them for the recruiter or HR employee responsible for the opening. They are not familiar with many of the technical terms and skills so the ATS them sort through applications faster.

If you resume does not fit, it will get dumped to the bottom or tossed even if you are qualified. Also there is the usual formatting, structuring and so forth that career services can help with too for when an employer is actually reading your file.

 

[deleted1132659]

Again, I'd connect with your career services office before boldly shotgun-applying to jobs. I know it's hard not to seem desperate, but a misstep could possibly block you out of a lot of opportunities unnecessarily. Get some help or training. ATS is no joke.

(I really dislike Handshake as a recruiter. Really dislike Handshake.)

Thank you, I will reach out to my university career services as well

 

[deleted1132659]

To elaborate if OP is unfamiliar, both for public and private careers, the resumes get analyzed through an Applicant Tracking Software. They pick up set keywords and phrases from resumes and usually rank them for the recruiter or HR employee responsible for the opening. They are not familiar with many of the technical terms and skills so the ATS them sort through applications faster.

If you resume does not fit, it will get dumped to the bottom or tossed even if you are qualified. Also there is the usual formatting, structuring and so forth that career services can help with too for when an employer is actually reading your file.

I did not know this. Seems like I'm just wasting my time applying to jobs then. Thank you for this.

 

[Mr. Nightmare]

I have a biology degree and have been trying to apply every day to different hospitals and universities for a research job anywhere, wet lab research, clinical research, lab tech jobs, anything that would help my med school application. I have applied to almost 40+ different positions but have yet to have anything come out of it.

I already have clinical experience as a nurse assistant. Currently, I am too sick for graduate level classes and MCAT studying so I wanted to work part time just to keep busy. What would some other useful jobs be that would make my biology degree competitive in getting the job? Kinda lost. Been searching for a job for almost 3 months now.

You could look for a tutoring position, helping college and high school students with anything from Math, Chemistry, Physics, Biochem, and foreign language. Or you could become a self-employed tutor. There are a lot of people that need help with their courses.

 

[Round786]

I found my job as a phlebotomist by just hitting apply on every single lab assistant job on linkedin within the same state, trust me hospitals are desperate for lab assistants

Did you have extensive prior research/training?

 

[candbgirl]

What do you mean by being too sick for grad classes or MCAT studying? Are you really sick or sick of applying? If you are sick how can you work? Do you have your nonclinical volunteering taken care of? Don’t worry about anything but getting well if in fact you are sick.

 

[MateoGM416]

Did you have extensive prior research/training?

Nope. They trained me on the job. My last job before that was a restaurant host.

 

[SCallergydoc]

Is scribing for an MD an option? Would this not count for medical hours and get you a good rec?

 

[PhD_to_DO]

I have a biology degree and have been trying to apply every day to different hospitals and universities for a research job anywhere, wet lab research, clinical research, lab tech jobs, anything that would help my med school application. I have applied to almost 40+ different positions but have yet to have anything come out of it.

I already have clinical experience as a nurse assistant. Currently, I am too sick for graduate level classes and MCAT studying so I wanted to work part time just to keep busy. What would some other useful jobs be that would make my biology degree competitive in getting the job? Kinda lost. Been searching for a job for almost 3 months now.

Not sure what state you are in but in my home state of AZ, a life science degree would qualify you for an entry level position as an environmental health specialist/sanitarian. You would also qualify to work as a disease investigations specialist. Check with your local and state health departments… Check with the CDC Foundation as well; they have been hiring a lot for their COVID response teams.

 

[Helpful Troll]

I have a biology degree and have been trying to apply every day to different hospitals and universities for a research job anywhere, wet lab research, clinical research, lab tech jobs, anything that would help my med school application. I have applied to almost 40+ different positions but have yet to have anything come out of it.

I already have clinical experience as a nurse assistant. Currently, I am too sick for graduate level classes and MCAT studying so I wanted to work part time just to keep busy. What would some other useful jobs be that would make my biology degree competitive in getting the job? Kinda lost. Been searching for a job for almost 3 months now.

Try some of the temp agencies in your area that specialize in technical positions. Adjust your BIO resume to list your lab equipment exposure/training so the auto review picks up the experience. Randstad for example.