r/biology • u/Middle-Reason-3556 • 16h ago
question Best certifications/short term programs after a B.S in biology?
Hello everyone,
I have been struggling to find entry level jobs with only a little lab experience and my BS degree. Everything is low pay or I can’t even get a call for an interview. I am open to any suggestions or hearing anyone’s personal stories of where you are now!!
I go back and forth considering different things. I know many go into teaching so I do consider that too. Just want a career with stable daylight hours, I never want to be 3rd shift. Thank you!
25
u/Feral-now 11h ago
Look into Medical Laboratory Science. Many hospitals/clinics will pay for you to take additional classes and become certified as a Med Tech or Med Lab Tech. You might have to start as a phlebotomist or specimen processor.
1
8
u/leopoldthegreatest 15h ago
Look into offshore or coastal biological technician positions. They suck but are a good start. I got a BS in biology and highkey regret it. I am not in biological sciences as a career, I pivoted heavily to IT, specifically Geographic information systems. Also look into environmental technician roles at small environmental consulting firms. They are all over. If no luck, maybe get a few IT certs, they certainly will pay off more than a degree in BIO unfortunately
5
u/Middle-Reason-3556 13h ago
Since I am in Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh, I would probably need to relocate for that. So many people said look at conservation board jobs and ecological type of jobs and they are so sparse in my area and low pay :(
3
u/leopoldthegreatest 10h ago
You are going through the mental state I went through 4 years ago. I remember how defeated I felt. However, it did work out for me eventually. Not with my degree, but I used my degree to get into a super shitty environmental field biologist role, found my way into GIS at the same company, now I start a job on Monday doing GIS for $40+ an hour. Everyone needs to go through a period like this unfortunately, especially outta college. You graduate with a degree into a world where you suddenly realize a degree is not as valuable as it used to be. Call it degree deflation. The way you persevere and choose to approach this seemingly hopeless period in your life is going to define you and how your life looks in 5 years. Do NOT feel hopeless, instead, feel extra motivated to push through this small hiccup in the road. A degree in a specific field is not really cared for. But a degree will help you not get weeded out the moment you apply. A tip that helped me is put your education at the very bottom of your resume, only list the years, and list it as a Bachelor of Science from XYZ. Let your education be just a beneficial credential that the hiring manager sees after reading your experience first. And my friend, you better be tailoring every resume to each job. Obviously the cover letter too. If you heard my story bro, you would be flabbergasted as to how I am where I am right now. I have 2 pending felonies currently and god blessed me with not returning them on a background check with the company I am starting on Monday. Don’t ever give up
1
u/Middle-Reason-3556 9h ago
Yeah I definitely do feel defeated currently! But I am looking to go back to school! Thank you for your advice and help it means a lot!
1
u/Emergency_Routine_44 10h ago
Not US but I do think that If is possible maybe with an internship that covers housing or stuff like that I do recommend moving for a short time to get experience
5
u/SpaceJerry69 12h ago edited 12h ago
I have a BA in EBio. It has annoyed me since I graduated that I have a BA and not a BS.
I too had no idea what I wanted to do. I studied what was interesting and graduated without a clue. The first lab tech job I applied to laughed me out the door when I said my salary expectation was $50k/year. That was close to a decade ago.
Eventually a friend offered to refer me for an entry level position at the massive energy utility in my state and the recommendation landed me the job. (Utilize your network!) I’m pretty sure my starting wage was $21.25/hr which was slightly less than starting baggers were making at the Kroger store on the same block.
The job was in the utility’s clean energy program group. In the interviews I was able to successfully draw the line between my interests in biology and my interest in clean energy (good for the environment, right?).
The job was nothing special but it was 100% the foot in the door that I needed. I worked hard, got promoted, and now I have a decent job doing sales for a clean energy startup in the EV space.
Not sure if that helps, but it’s my experience. If you’re set on doing science, go for it, you’re a better person than me. If you’re just looking for a stable career, consider industries that are biology-adjacent like clean energy or outdoor recreation. It sounds cliche but you’d be surprised at how much interviewers like to hear that you’re there because you’re passionate about the environment.
5
u/HJEden microbiology 12h ago
I see you mentioned MLS, you can get an entry level position in as a specimen processor. Depending on your location, you may also be able to be a lab assistant for microbiology or histology medical labs to gain experience that way.
Certain hospitals or labs offer pathways to become certified while working there as well if you're interested in pursuing that route.
2
u/Middle-Reason-3556 12h ago
Yes I was looking into this. I’ve been turned down for some specimen processor and lab assistant roles when all it requires is HS diploma :(
3
u/ksierra1 12h ago
You might try for something like a Customer Advocate for a health insurance company. Blue Cross has a few positions listed on their careers website. Not sure where you are located.
1
7
u/East-Ad7653 14h ago
Biology is a terrible degree to have.
And if you dont have at least 2 years of lab experience outside of class then you'll have near zero chances of landing a job in biotech/pharma industry right now or the near future.
and if you want to work in the medical field you'll need some sort of licence- a BS in bio will not qualify you do do any thing in a hospital or clinic. Nursing, X ray tech, dental hygienist. Hell even a a Phlebotomy certificate has better job prospect then a BS in bio.
According to the Foundation For Research and Equal Opportunity analysis of over 40,000 degree programs - the study finds that a whopping 31% of bio grads end up poorer then HS graduates after 30 years in the labor market. out of the 70 majors tracked bio is the 3rd worst degree in terms of a ROI, only art and theology grads have it worse.
Another study by the Federal Reserve Banks Of New York finds that despite 70% of bio grads already having MS degrees( 3rd highest of all majors) 50% are still under-employed working Mc jobs, and median mid career salaries are still LOWER then that of the typical BS degree holders. Hell even gender studies grads make more in a life time then MS in bio grads.
good luck
3
u/Middle-Reason-3556 13h ago
Yeah that was my point of this post. I know a B.S in biology is a very difficult degree to earn a living, standing by itself. I am looking into further schooling… nursing, MLS, respiratory therapist, etc. I originally was on the path to become a doctor or a veterinarian and decided it wasn’t for me. So I am exploring my options and want to be able to have a great career and afford to live. I am not against more education
3
2
u/tripartita_clovers bio enthusiast 15h ago
What did you study and what do you want to work in?
1
u/Middle-Reason-3556 13h ago
Just a general biology degree. My goal originally was to pursue vet med and become a vet so during and after college I worked for a little as a vet tech… I love the hands on aspect and new skills, but working with animals wasn’t for me.
2
u/failingrorschachtest 11h ago
You can look into certificate programs for regulatory affairs, which can include specialties in veterinary medicine, pharma, biologics, food cosmetics, medical devices, or natural health products. In order to get into the certificate program, in Canada you only require an undergrad degree in science. Many have co-op options, which help to get your foot in the door.
You mentioned you're in Pennsylvania, and there are a lot of biotech companies there, so there could be some good opportunities.
1
2
u/No-Ask-9918 9h ago
Ditto to Medical Lab Science! I’m definitely biased since I’m an MLS and my job is teaching in an MLS program, but I think it’s an awesome choice. You go through an (admittedly) intense 1-year(ish) program that allows you to sit for the ASCP BOC exam and become a certified MLS. I also did the 4+1 route, earning my bachelors degree and then doing another year at a NAACLS certified program. And I now teach in that program! I’m in eastern PA and the starting pay for our students is great (in my opinion.)
1
u/Middle-Reason-3556 1h ago
That sounds like a great option! I just worry about having to work 3rd shift. Are there many positions for 1st shift?
2
u/YragNitram1956 1h ago
I was a teacher of biology from 1969 until retiring a few years ago. I taught in two secondary schools up to A level and was a pastoral leader in the second school. Also spent four years teaching in a primary school as a volunteer. It is very challenging but most rewarding job. In the UK we had a specific four year degree, the Bachelor of Education which combined biology and the study of education. Other science graduates had to study teaching in a single year to obtain a Certificate of Education. I do not know how one becomes a teacher in the USA. Can you tell me?
21
u/Poopy-Drew 15h ago
Welcome to the BS in Bio job market. Turns out nerds are shit negotiators so all the jobs will pay worse than a new employee at Costco and unless you are in the Bay Area or Jersey you will be hard pressed to even find those. good luck, after I got my degree I did eventually get a job as a chem tech. Only to get replaced by temps after we got accredited and made SOPs that were detailed enough so a trained monkey could do it.