| Topic Name: |
Entry level |
| Message Name: |
you need lab experience |
| Date Posted: |
03/12/2004 |
| In Reply To: |
As a recent graduate (B.A. in biology) I am interested in gaining experience to become qualified as a Research Associate. I have the entire summer free and would like advice about where to go from here. I can take undergrad classes in biochemistry, molecular biology ect (to compensate for the lack of classes that I received getting a B.A.), I can take graduate level classes, I can work in a lab, or I can try to get an internship/entry level position with a biotech company (which seems difficult.) Any advice as to where I should go from now?
What coursework would be most beneficial? |
| Message: |
In this market, I'd say an entry level position w/ a company is just about impossible. If you have very good grades & your university has some internships set up, by all means go for it! If not, and you're at a research institution, then find a professor and get started in a lab. For many of us, this meant starting off as a dishwasher! Classes will not provide you with the hands on lab experience that you'll need, and companies want fast, reliable, hard-working "hands". In an academic lab, expect to spend 1-3 yrs of VERY low paying work, although many will allow you to take classes (look into a M.S. program) for free after a yr or so of tenure!
Also, do some research into what options there are in a career in science research. A research associate position, except at a very large pharma/biotech is a terminal position. You will start and end doing the same thing, without much salary/promotion room. RA I, 2-5 yrs, gets you to RA II for another 2-5 yrs, and on and on... there's not much of an increase in responsiblity/new job duties. Of course, some people LOVE their jobs, but you should learn about the ins and outs of this type of career before you get too far into it!
Besides a research associate, look into positions in quality control, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, clinical research associates, etc, etc. These are different tracks you can take in a biotech/pharm career. Explore early!
Join a network at a university, visit your university's career office and find some mentors ASAP. One networking association that comes to mind is AWIS (www.awis.org)-they have local chapters that often have career seminars, although often this can be geared towards PhD's. Also, try the hopkins biotechnology network-registration is free-they have a little bit of career info. Also, try the science alliance in the NY/NJ area (don't have the website, try a google search), again this is geared towards PhDs. Finally, join the nextwave site of Science journal (annual fee).
I'm really busy for the next few months, but if you give me a few days to a week, I will try to get back to you if you have any questions! Post away!
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