Career/Employment help

[Modest_Man]

I (fairly) recently graduated from college (University of Hawaii at Manoa) with a BA in biology. After putting around bartending for a while I figured it was time to try and start a career. Not the best time to do it I know.

I'm having a hell of a time finding anything to apply for. I don't have biology experience outside of college and most "entry level" jobs I can find require 1-3 years of experience outside of college. It's getting very frustrating as I know I'm quite intelligent and would make a great employee, but cannot stand out with a resume over the internet. It's a vicious circle; no experience no job, no job no experience.

I'd really like to get into wildlife biology or genetics, but am throwing a resume out whenever I can find anything I'm remotely qualified for (like sampling runoff; fun!).

Places I've looked/applied at include-

NOAA
University of Washington
Fred Hutch Cancer Research
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

I've relocated back to my home state of Washington, so the UH career center isn't much help (I've found UH advising to be terrible in most matters actually) and am really just stuck and depressed not knowing how to go about starting a career.

I'm really just wondering who else has a biology degree, and what it took to get a foot in the door. Any ideas, tips or tricks would be appreciated. Hell, if anyone has a lead on a job anywhere in the US let me know.

/rant

 

[bigspizz]

I would start looking for job fairs. Or go back to school here.

 

[Zoodiver]

Internships and volunteering are the two best ways to get the 'hands on' time places are looking for.

And in this economy, don't be surprised if it's several months prior to finding work.

I've been looking for full time work for 13 months. Sent out close to 100 resumes. Hearing a lot of the same from friends of mine who are looking as well. Most with lots of time under their belt. There are a lot of very experienced people searching for work, so they're filling up the entry level slots with people who have 10+ years of experience in biologial sciences.

 

[Angler]

I went to UH at Manoa for a semester just for fun, then it was back to Colorado State.

Anyways, gl on your career search!

 

[awault]

Internships and volunteering are the two best ways to get the 'hands on' time places are looking for.

And in this economy, don't be surprised if it's several months prior to finding work.

I've been looking for full time work for 13 months. Sent out close to 100 resumes. Hearing a lot of the same from friends of mine who are looking as well. Most with lots of time under their belt. There are a lot of very experienced people searching for work, so they're filling up the entry level slots with people who have 10+ years of experience in biologial sciences.

 

[pdbrady]

I feel for you, man. My wife went through the same thing right out of college. Not in bio, but still, every job required experience. Experience that is suppose to magically appear on your resume. The vicious cycle of "experience required", but you need a degree for that, then once you have your degree.....experience is still required. She's a Petsmart manager now...happy, but not where she envisioned herself. Internships seem to be about the only help short of "knowing someone". Good luck.

 

[bigspizz]

Internships where? Easier said then done.

 

[Modest_Man]

I plan on getting at least a masters, but I don't want to go back for a masters until I know what it is I really want to focus on.

I'm going to be loosing a lot of money volunteering as I'm going to have to live at home and commute around an hour each way. But if it's what I gotta do, I gotta do. I did manage to get a degree with out any loans, which is better than a lot of my friends sadly.

Forgot to add, I'm also waiting to hear from the Peace Corps, which would be pretty freaking cool.

Hey Angler, when were you at UH? One of my roommates was from Denver, and I have a few other good friends from UH in Colorado, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

 

[pdbrady]

Internships where? Easier said then done.

I totally agree. I've known a couple...literally...like two people, that have gotten into internships. One I didn't actually know, she just happened to work with my wife, and she had to move to one of the coasts for it. That was probably 6 months ago. The other was years ago. Outside of those, I agree, there's nothing. You seriously have to have an "in".

 

[pdbrady]

I plan on getting at least a masters, but I don't want to go back for a masters until I know what it is I really want to focus on.

I'm going to be loosing a lot of money volunteering as I'm going to have to live at home and commute around an hour each way. But if it's what I gotta do, I gotta do. I did manage to get a degree with out any loans, which is better than a lot of my friends sadly.

Forgot to add, I'm also waiting to hear from the Peace Corps, which would be pretty freaking cool.

Hey Angler, when were you at UH? One of my roommates was from Denver, and I have a few other good friends from UH in Colorado, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

You're right, gotta do what you gotta do. At this point in time, if you could get that foot in somewhere with volunteer work, you may have something hopeful when the economy bounces back. It may take a while, but it'll be worth it. Especially since you don't have the loans, like you mentioned (good job). Just something to think about.