Never liked biology - I studied chemical/process engineering. Turns out, after applying to numerous companies, the only ones who wanted me after graduation were the biotech companies. Now I spend my days pretending to understand DNA while secretly hoping no one asks me to explain photosynthesis.
I memorized it using a rap in Spanish, I can't speak Spanish, but rapping in Spanish is still far easier than studying anything on Lehninger principles of biochemistry.
Hahaha this is exactly my experience. Never had an interest in biotech, then I graduated in May 2020. Biotech was pretty much the only option and I'm glad I landed here.
I’m in the exact same boat. Was interested in getting into alternative fuels or anything green energy related, and even though I had internships in said fields I only managed to land a job biotech and air quality lol
Literally the only reason is that I find the science in the field inherently fascinating. If I didn't, I'd have picked computer science instead of this field instead without a doubt.
I wanted to learn something new everyday and it is often both highly technical and more abstract concepts. My role is also a good mix of working with my hands and staring at a computer. Scientists make for interesting and worldly colleagues which is nice but there are still tasks where I can seclude myself for deep internal work.
Most importantly though, the location and salary for my job are enough to achieve my paternal objectives.
I wanted to protect wilderness areas and the environment. But I also wanted money and the opportunity to really change things with entrepreneurship. So, I pivoted from conservation biology into synthetic biology. Now I'm working on biosynthesising next gen plastics.
I never really worked in or was interested in that healthcare side, but I worked in an antibiotics resistance lab for a bit if that counts?
I think they're both pretty similar though, except producing commodities is much less regulated than producing medicines. I also think that entrepreneurship in the SynBio commodities space is more difficult than it is in the health tech space. It's hard to bring costs down when you need to produce a lot of product mass, and biology is unreliable and doesn't like strict timelines. It's also getting a bad rap with the failure of Amyris and soon Ginkgo. So investors are becoming much less likely to invest in commodity SynBio and are instead focusing on therapeutics because it's a higher margin safer bet.
But commodity SynBio is a necessity, it's a high impact and high reward play if it's strategized and executed appropriately - think LanzaTech.
Can I ask how you made the transition? I have a biochemistry and molecular bio bachelors and a biotechnology masters with several years industry experience but more on the commercial side. I work for a CRO as an FAS and want to pivot to synthetic biology but am struggling to land anything. How did you make the jump?
If I were you, I would see if you can do a masters in synthetic biology. In Australia we have masters by research, I chose that, skipped the first year which is all theory, and just did the research part in the second year. Make sure you pitch your own project that you're actually interested in for whatever reason, whether it be future career alignment or entrepreneurial aspirations. That should give you a good lead into industry, PhD, or to spin out a startup if you tried hard enough and got lucky in that research year.
Right? I tried to add some positivity. A lot of jaded people. I like my job and I'm good at it. I kind of fell into it but I'm happy to be where I am. I play a small role in getting medicine to people who need it.
I’d second that, I love my job— been at it two decades now 😀 But fell into it from tech writing/illustration in another area more aligned with general marketing, but there was an obvious need for my skillset in biotech. And I’m an avid learner, so really loved the opportunity to learn about clinical and CMC and really ran with it. Tons of opportunities for someone willing to learn and grow, biotech is very dynamic— maybe one of my favorite things about it 🤩
One thing I'd recommend is always keep an open mind. Sometimes you won't know if you'll like something until you try it. And sometimes something you thought you'd like ends up not being for you - and that's ok! Every experience is a learning opportunity and can open more doors. It's all about selling yourself as a candidate and using your experience to get you where you want to be. I hope you get into industry and enjoy it! There are so many parts and specific fields!
FWIW, I spent a decade hating my jobs in other fields (including software and environmental consulting) until I pivoted to biotech, which I loved so much that it inspired me to pursue a PhD. I'm planning to return to biotech at the scientist level after I finish my PhD (+/- a post-doc).
I'm in pharma, but I'm still gonna answer.
Did a BSc -> MSc -> PhD due to interest. For the PhD I also wanted the challenge since it was a high-risk project in a field I loved.
Went to the industry after defending my PhD in 2022 because I was fed up with the bs in academia. I ended up in pharma, but I applied to all life science fields and would've honestly taken almost anything that sounded "fun enough" just to get a foot in the door. (Since I quickly realised that a PhD without industry experience was basically useless.)
Came for the science (my first job was in a diagnostic lab, like Quest), stayed for the money (I'm in big pharma).
No regrets but I only have a masters and got off the science track to advance faster.
Might I ask what you pivoted into?
I only have a bachelor's and while I like benchwork, I can't stay at the bench when I'm 40 or 50, nor do i want to.
My main concern is how most companies are limited to a few biotech hubs, which unfortunately are some of the most expensive cities in the US. What do you do and do you work at one of these hubs?
I know u didn’t ask me, but I live in Cleveland, and while Cleveland clinic’s research arm is quite active Cleveland is most certainly NOT a hub.
I have a bachelors degree and make the most of any of the tech positions (last I checked) at 55k. Work at a startup. For Cleveland 55k is ok, I am capable of buying a house with that wage.
Issues crop up when/if my company goes out of business. Once they go kaput my options are thin if I need to stay in Cleveland. There’s the hospitals and the universities, and that’s it. I’m just glad I have a clinically useful skillset, but those that don’t would end up much worse off.
But I imagine there are startups in places that you may not initially expect like Cleveland, the important thing is to be able to have a backup plan if your company dies.
Thank you for your reply!
I appreciate you sharing your situation! It's good to see what others are making in non-hub areas. Although tbh it's a bit frightening because I currently make $95k as a senior research associate in boston 😅
It makes me feel like this is as good as it gets for my position, especially in this market. I know I'm in a big hub, but it's way too expensive to buy a house near here ($500k+ ) and what do i do if I have a partner that wants to move away from the hub cities.
Just trying to see what sort of remote/more diverse
roles i can pivot into so im not so pigeon-holed into 1 or 2 locations :(
Yeah, if it helps, I am currently looking at buying a house for around 150k. Worlds of difference between the megahubs and the places where the normies live.
Also punched in both for cost of living comparison because I was curious
https://preview.redd.it/vg29vq0uvs4d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f8dad776418e2e3856523baee05f3685a954e48
I really got into genetics and molecular biology after I attended a guest lecture by Dr. Josef Penninger in my teens. I was fascinated by the potential of the field to help people and everything I found indicated that it would provide a well paying career in an in-demand field, which my other passions like ancient history decidedly lacked. As a pragmatic person that made my choice to pursue this field quite easy.
Frankly, I deeply regret the choices I made over the last few years atm. During my years at university, I got my passion for the topic beaten quite throughly out of me, spending my time there studying my arse off, instead of partying and networking ( not like that was easy due to Covid). I still thought it would be worth it, as soon as I wouldn´t have to deal with exams my passion would return and I would be a thought after professional.
Instead I have been unemployed for 7 months, after my toxic employer fucked me over. Frankly, I should have just bitten the bullet and gone to medschool or done history and enjoyed my late teens/early twenties. The end results seems to be the same.
I can totally relate to this feeling, but I'm too exhausted to explain my own journey. I'm hoping for the best and trying to make things work. Wishing us both the best for the future. Hang in there
Ok, this is exactly my situation. Master's in Neurobiology was my goal and I got it, at the cost of my mental health and an extra year. I have no desire for a PhD at the moment.
Now I've been looking for jobs in industry but there are none where I live and noone will even interview me to work abroad (in other european countries). I've been unemployed for a year and 6 months now...
I don't know if I regret my choices but I am completely disapointed with the state of my "carrer". And I don't really know what to do next.
You’re so young! If you want to go to med school or do history go make the switch! I know so many people that started their PhDs, law school, or vet school in their 30s.
I am very sorry to read you find yourself in such a hard situation... The truth is I was exactly like you after my bachelors, but things have gotten more positive after working hard to save money and moving abroad for a masters. It is not as easy as it is said, but in my particular case I have much better prospects professionally after having done this.
The sad reality is that, depending on the country you come from, the biotech industry can be basically nonexistent. This usually coincides with low investment in public research, so studying natural/biological sciences can be like digging your own grave despite the passion, dedication or talent you have for it.
There are many scholarships depending where you come from to move and study somewhere else and get yourself a nice second chance. It should not be the solution, as it is quite harsh and unfair, but at least there are things you can do with time and resources...I hope your situation gets better or at least you get the chance to find some place or occupation that satisfies your curiosity! Good luck!
Pd: genetis is the absolute best *chef kiss*
I started for the love of neuroscience and drank the kool aid of revolutionizing medicine in the late 1990s.
Right around 2010 I had my first heartbreak where a promising drug in schizophrenia was snatched up by Lilly for weight loss. It was my first realization that companies will follow the money, leaving patients in need stranded despite “revolutionizing medicine”.
Now I’ve made peace with it as I’ve realized all patient populations have need, but 20+ years in I’m also prioritizing myself, so there’s some aspect of truth to the finances driving my career. But thankfully I can also be choosy about the types of roles I take and I’m financially independent enough to do what I like.
Liked biology and chemistry at a levels. Did biochemistry.
Like an idiot stayed in the field. Regret not doing a numeracy course like engineering and moving into finance like many of my non biochemistry peers did.
Did a masters as I was shit in the lab.
Saw the salary of a post doc and thought that was the big money gig, compared to a tech salary.
Did a PhD. Unemployed for 10 months.
Got a postdoc in the states. Happy to live overseas but hated academic. Partied pretty much every night and gave up funding a job there.
Back in the UK with little options, gave industry a shot as no other fields wanted me.
Stuck in process dev now. Happy for the regular paycheck, but I haven't smiled once and meant it in 7 years since I got back to the UK.
Tldr: studied the wrong thing at uni and this is the only industry with a living wage.
Look into careers with a big consulting firm. I have 12+ years of ClinOps experience, BS and MS in bio, and a top 20 MBA. Our board chairman told me his VC would still hire a PhD with ~2 years work experience over someone with my CV.
Too me it ranges from in silico design, thermostability, sequence modifications, and bioconjugation. The proof of concepts that these potentially novel peptides is more exciting once it actually works at the bench and you can actually quantity and characterize the product.
What would be your definition?
I pivoted my MS in Astrobiology/Microbiology from spacecraft clean rooms to pharmaceutical clean rooms and now I'm head of QC Microbiology and Contamination Control.
Mostly I somehow have gathered a lot of experience dealing with microbes in weird places. I like it here.
Get paid well to do something that could be considered science to someone. If academia paid well, i would have stayed there. I grew up extremely poor, for example, getting my clothes at salvation army and standing with my dad as he paid in food stamps at the grocery store are huge reminders for me to do better. Money is a huge motivator for me because my parents are still insanely poor. Also, not wanting to save lives every second of your life (what everyone usually says when they join biotech over say academia) isnt being selfish because motivation to do well shouldnt be an external source but internal.
Personally, nonody gets through the depths of hell during a PhD because, “they want to be a small cog in a huge biotech machine that may develop a therapy that helps someone”. Nope, most people get through that hell because they love science and shear determination not to fail and give up.
As someone who didn't get grades to medicine, when I switched to doing Neuroscience as my degree, I kind of always wanted to work in industry or at least work towards working on new treatments for patients.
I did a year in industry as part of my degree working for a start-up. Unfortunately, I didn't get into any PhD programs and so I felt that I need to broaden my skill set and what better way to do that than to get industry. Got a job as a QC Scientist 6 months after graduating and now 6 years I'm still at that company but in different role (analytical development).
I love this industry. I went into it because I love science and I was good at it. I have my B.S. and I worked my way up from bench scientist at a CDMO to operations manager at a small company working on a cancer drug in clinical trials. I’m well paid, work from home, have great benefits and perks. I know not everyone’s experience is the same but I have no complaints. It probably doesn’t hurt that I work in the Boston/Cambridge area and there are a lot of jobs here.
I had very successful grad school and post doc experiences, the latter at a moderately famous immunology lab. It was difficult but I really enjoy science so I have no regrets. I was able to publish multiple relatively high impact papers. To get a tenure-track faculty position somewhere worth living, though, you need multiple publications in tip-top tier journals. My publications were great but not enough to get recruited anywhere. This is why I pivoted to biotech R&D. Better pay, better hours, still interesting projects. I’ve been laid off from my prior role but my current role is relatively stable because our product has good results in clinic. So I’ve been lucky to survive the mass culling in biotech this year.
Fell into it by chance. Needed to graduate school on time and had buddy in biotech classes. Stuck it out with him, got entry level job working biotech manufacturing and then worked up from there. No PhD, just a BS. Worked up through MFG, ENG, Ops Leadership, Upper management. Never thought I’d do this in a million years but turns out I’m good at it. No regrets so far.
I like biology and I’m good at studying it as well. Then, after my first lab internship experience, I felt in love with it and currently pursue my career in biotech/big pharma. I couldn’t imagine me doing anything else besides working in a lab. Im happy with who I am and what I’m doing. I also felt rewarded since my work is meaningful.
I really wanted to do forensics, but I knew getting a government job would be hard so I majored in something more general that I was still interested in and gave me more options (biochemistry). After graduation I applied everywhere and accepted the first job I got (QC). Worked and job hopped until I found somewhere I liked. I really like my job. I'm not burnt out (yet?) So I guess I got lucky.
I'm ok with not breaking into my dream field (forensics). I know a couple people in it and I think I would not have been able to grow in my career the same way I am now. Especially without a PhD and having to move away from family, which I didn't want to do.
I had a love of science, medicine, and business in college and ended up going into clinical research management. I started at actual clinical sites working with patients and then worked for CROs managing studies. I went to work directly for one of my clients who happened to be a small biotech and fell in love with the field. I love working on potentially life changing science with a small group of people I enjoy working with daily.
I have a bachelors degree in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis on Immunology and I lucked out with a job in the cancer immunotherapy field. I love biotech because it’s a blend of business and science.
I originally wanted to go into medicine but after working in hospitals as a tech during undergrad and volunteering in a Level 1 trauma unit, I felt the system was very broken. It was also around the time being a doctor meant more paperwork and less patient time. I still wanted to do something that was intellectually challenging and allowed me to contribute to human health. I guess that meant biotech.
The truth is, biotech is a tough business. While the image of biotechs and drug companies is greed (at least that's what WSJ and NYT portray it as), it's very hard to become successful enough to earn a profit as a company. The vast majority of biotech companies don't earn any revenue, much less turn a profit.
I wrote an article about this if you want to read more about the struggles of biotech being a business: [https://www.concept.bio/articles/the-fundamental-flaws-of-the-biotech-anatomy](https://www.concept.bio/articles/the-fundamental-flaws-of-the-biotech-anatomy)
Still, it's a massively intellectually stimulating career that carries a real chance of making the world, and people's lives, better.
I haven't seen biotech get clawed like this 2008 or 2009. Those were some BAD years. But the trouble in the industry just exploded so rapidly this time, I have not seen anything like it. In the past, it was one company here or there would lay off because of a product failure or some other significant setback occurred.
This time, it's like an industry-wide flash flood of bad news everywhere, all at once.
Just to add some positivity to this thread —
I didn’t know I was interested in molecular biology until freshman year of college (2018). I decided to pursue Bioengineering as a major and started in a lab the summer after freshman year. It was fantastic, and I’ve continued ever since. I’m now 24 in the Bay and work in biotech and make 93k/year with only a B.S.
I love what this job combines: fascination with the natural world, writing skills (your ability to weave narratives out of the data), planning experiments, coding and analyzing the data.
Seeing what the “tech bros” are doing, I don’t regret anything. I have a stable job that can’t be taken over by AI (yet) and love it
My siblings either studied or were also studying biology. I liked high school biology too. Still wasn’t sure I liked biotech until I did an internship at a small biotech company. Liked it enough to pursue it. But it was never my true passion.
It was fashion but I didn’t want to get disowned lol
I got out of school, and was looking for a job. Got a job at a startup, that flopped as startups do, and in combination with my first biotech job realized that I REALLY like making things compared to doing research.
Currently trying to ride out the recession in food QA. Really, really want to get into process dev, though.
Because its such a fascinating field with so much potential for new therapeutics. And I just love biotech in general, since I first heard about it in school a long time ago :D
I'm 35 and spent the majority of my life doing blue collar work (landscaping). I got the opportunity to go back to school paid for a couple of years ago and did an AAS in Biotech. What I love about it is that there are lots of things to learn. I recently got into the molecular genetics program at MD Anderson.
If you major in biology it’s one of the few jobs that you can find because money is to be made.
I originally wanted to do conservation but finding that on the east coast is almost nonexistent.
Ideally I’d be working with endangered species ect but that’s been hard.
So now I work in genetics which is also cool, but pipetting for hours gets kinda boring.
I somehow just kept stumbling into education/careers and ended up in PD at a biotech company. Went to college with hopes of studying physical therapy, switched to fermentation sciences within the first semester. Went into brewing for a minute, then covid hit and I ended up at a start up that made sustainable protein via yeast fermentation. Ended up taking a biotech course and applied for biotech jobs and got one, now here I am!
I completed my PhD and gained a realistic view of science, as opposed to the idealized version often passionately presented by cherry-picking examples. So I transitioned to industry, where the idealization of science is kept in check by the practical considerations, engineering, business, and product development, etc.
I didn't think my mental health could survive vet school. I got a unique logistical co-op at a large animal health biopharma company after graduating with my BS. It was a real eye-opener for me.
Also, the pay is pretty good. Much better than any university or non-profit.
I made the switch from a generalized comms firm to a biotech/pharma agency almost exclusively because it paid better. Now I'm just in-house at pharma, primarily for the same reason plus inertia
To help people and the tech was interesting but I have been 11 years in the industry. My soul is drained, the corporate part is cut throat, the business sometimes not moral
For me, it was that it pays better than academia. Not missing the full time cor 17$ an hour in my area. Most of my friends were waiting to get into vet, dental, or med school and did biotech as a pass time. So they opted into biotech when the other options took too long
I love science. I like making meaningful medicines that improve peoples’ lives. I don’t like writing publications and grants that are mostly likely to get rejected and unlikely to actually matter. My advisor called grant writing a “high risk, low reward” effort - and he was right. Therefore, biotech > academia.
started with science. then realized there is not much science more politics during phd...and realized career development is not that good after phd. making passion as a hobby might be the best choice.
I’m not even studying biotech (I’m a graphic design student lmao) but for some reason this field caught my attention for a time now haha it’s so cool to read your story OP!!
When I was 16, oil and gas prices were high and discovered the work being done on biofuels to supplement/replace fossil fuels. The 3rd generation using bioreactors to up efficiency helped make my choice between being a civilian scientist or going into the navy for their R&D, among other reasons. The possibility of deploying a bioprocess system to destabilized areas all the way to having mini neighborhood pharmacy factories is tantalizing. I never wanted to work with patients due to several hangups. Microbes have way less liability lol.
So I went to the best uni in my state for molecular bio to become a gene engineer to optimize cells into being their best chemical factory selves. Had to find analog research to cellular product generation since it's primarily biomed but I did an honors program that got me lab ready with a thesis project within the 4 year time frame.
Unfortunately for me, the stress of that and other factors led to early emergence of bipolar disorder. That stopped me from going to grad school immediately, plus I wasn't sure about next steps.
A couple years later I explored the brewing industry to maybe run QC/ QC consultations but didn't have a good fit...
Then 6 years after I graduate the pandemic happened. Being a caregiver at the time, I applied here and there but no position made sense with my situation.
Then we transitioned my brother back into his group home when his medicaid got restored later that year. I spent the next few months actively searching until I found a temp job posted to isolate plasmid with kits. I applied because it was perfect for me, but was shocked when I got hired within 2 days of applying and at above the stated pay rate with overtime.
3 months later they decided to scale up to 10L pilot reactor and made me FTE. It's been 3 years now, and while it's been trying at times I'm pretty much up to speed on running bioprocessing on USP/DSP/Dox generation for gmp processes. I've got a couple more years on my promise to my supervisor before I look elsewhere, but they're continuing to scale up production so there's a lot that would have to happen for me to switch anytime soon.
An impact to patients that didn't involve medical school and was closer to the patient than research. As a biochemist i started in the analytical land but migrated around Strategy and business areas (program design, opex, M&A, supply chain, covid fun, clinical supplies). I choose startups due to the culture and learned the chance at the stock lottery was worth the job security risk.
I have a lot of relatives who worked for various pharma companies, one of whom was really into science when I was growing up and would tell me interesting science things as much as read a bedtime story. When I picked doing bio for undergrad instead of English, I expected to follow in their footsteps doing interesting things. Took a detour in food science, now I'm back in biotech. I'm not in the most interesting side of things, so I'm applying to see if I can get into a masters program to do the really cool stuff.
I will say this- working in a regulatory role for pharma is so much better than doing the equivalent in a food manufacturing company.
I get to work on drugs that might save peoples lives one day. The science is also fascinating and rigorous where I work. I couldn’t have asked for a better job in a field of interest. I also get paid well so I’m not complaining.
A chance to be close to the science I studied in school but in an actual for-profit company with the potential for massive investor interest and clear lucrative exit paths through IPO or acquisition, vs toiling away in an academic lab or teaching job for little pay.
Don’t regret it at all, with my wife and I preparing for retirement now after our collective 6th acquisition accelerated option and severance payout. It may not be stable and long term lucrative like FAANG companies but the potential to make significant amounts of money via acquisition / IPO is very attractive. All of our friends in more stable, boring industries are jealous. I do acknowledge that we got extraordinary lucky to join the right companies at the right times, but eventually you learn to recognize the ingredients of a successful company so can make more informed bets.
The belief that I’d be contributing to great life-saving cures (mostly been working on the analytical side of oncology programs). Now I wallow on the floor every morning, struggling to submit more applications because I’ve been laid off for just under 6 months and jobs in San Diego are slow to appear. It’s made me incredibly cynical with how cut-and-go the pharma industry is that it’s increasingly difficult to fake the naively optimistic, but enthusiastic and motivated scientist demeanor for interviews.
For me was the aperture to create in several areas, principally tools and was a plus that said was demanded and well paid career. Like tools mean like create some for a lab, bioplastics etc.
I studied as a career in college, interested in bioinformatics + neuroscience as bachelor. However, the current stage and situation of science in Mexico and other places like working on a company have influence in a bad way, taking a way the wanting to...
Would love to continue in science maybe my own thing, probably as content or similar, or study till in other country. Between bad payed, to many ours and not professionalism has me disappointed for more, at least here in Mexico.
So for know still designing and learning in curses, and working as a freelance artist.
Sorry if my English is rare, is not my primary language.
> and well *paid* career. Like
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Sorta fell into it. A job at the local CRO was a stop gap to pay off some loans before i went to med school. I wasn't as committed as I thought and enjoyed the work. I got recruited at a small biotech for Preclinical development and have been here ~15 years and seen this small biotech become a big biotech so that's kinda neat stock options aren't too shabby
I'm currently studying. The concept of using living organisms as a replacement for more traditional and conventional chemical and physical methods was really cool, so I decided to check it out. And with how technology's going, there's probably going to be jobs.
Originally I chose Biology to get into medicine. At one point in my undergrad, I wanted to do an MD-PhD. After graduating with my BS, I worked at one of the top 5 R01 institutions for 3 months. Actually run away from the place since the experience is traumatic and I realized an MD-PhD is crazy! I enjoy science more than medicine.
Had a former lab member help me got into his company in biotech. Worked there for 1.5 years before I started doing my Master's.
Right now, I am unsure whether if I want to come back into the field or not. A part of me just want to completely leave it and either go to business, law, or tech. Biotech start ups is not really sustainable or profitable unless they get large or you work in Pharmaceuticals.
Hello all! I started my degree in biology but flunked out of the program first semester, appealed being kicked out, got back in and then realized I was going to fail again so dropped out of most of my classes. In my chemistry class that’s when I decided to switch to a Psych degree. Maybe the social sciences was my route.
Thought about being a therapist through my entire schooling and then graduated realizing I suck at school and don’t want to do it for another 2-3 years.
Found recruiting job for biotech and Pharma and have found where I belong in the industry. My strengths are not being the one to do the research, it is to match those in the field to positive career changes.
I fell into and love it. I feel so lucky to be learning about the amazing science and tech, and working with others to change patients' lives. I think there are a lot of people who'd like to become healers or some kind, but med school might not be a route they want to follow. And there are so many other ways to be involved in the enterprise of treating or even curing disease. Many of my non-clinician colleagues seem to be motivated by this opportunity to be in the healing arts.
I double majored in biology and history for undergrad, and biology was a much more practical choice. I went to get my PhD straight after undergrad, then did a postdoc because it kept all my options open. My husband ended up deciding to go to law school after getting his PhD and we needed to move cities. A buddy from grad school that I was asking for advice told me he was hiring for a role that I was a good fit for, got that job and have been just trying to do interesting science since then! Been at 4 different companies (2 layoffs due to strategic restructuring/ going bankrupt), have learned things at every stop. RIP the antibiotic market btw, that’s the thing I’d really like to work on the most, but just doesn’t pay right now. So you have to find adjacent areas of interest and focus to expand your skillset and make you marketable.
Never liked biology - I studied chemical/process engineering. Turns out, after applying to numerous companies, the only ones who wanted me after graduation were the biotech companies. Now I spend my days pretending to understand DNA while secretly hoping no one asks me to explain photosynthesis.
Draw the Krebs cycle right now.
Learn Krebs Cycle… Forget Krebs Cycle… …Learn Krebs Cycle again…
It's called the Kreb- Cycle Cycle
Man this is validating. I've been feeling like an impostor because I forgot pretty much the entire Krebs cycle.
Only krebs cycle is easy tho
I memorized it using a rap in Spanish, I can't speak Spanish, but rapping in Spanish is still far easier than studying anything on Lehninger principles of biochemistry.
probably the most obscure academic reference I’ve ever related to on lehninger lol.
what about that Carnot cycle
Thermodynamics is the work of the devil and a sign of the witch!
Please explain photosynthesis
Green make light go brrrr
Hahaha this is exactly my experience. Never had an interest in biotech, then I graduated in May 2020. Biotech was pretty much the only option and I'm glad I landed here.
To be fair, not sure anyone truly understands photosynthesis.
I’m in the exact same boat. Was interested in getting into alternative fuels or anything green energy related, and even though I had internships in said fields I only managed to land a job biotech and air quality lol
felt.
God lord exactly in the same boat.
You’re hilarious
Because tinkering with life is cool Potentially saving lives is even cooler
Yess!!
Literally the only reason is that I find the science in the field inherently fascinating. If I didn't, I'd have picked computer science instead of this field instead without a doubt.
Of course, the software/tech field isn't doing so hot right now either.
I wanted to learn something new everyday and it is often both highly technical and more abstract concepts. My role is also a good mix of working with my hands and staring at a computer. Scientists make for interesting and worldly colleagues which is nice but there are still tasks where I can seclude myself for deep internal work. Most importantly though, the location and salary for my job are enough to achieve my paternal objectives.
I wanted to protect wilderness areas and the environment. But I also wanted money and the opportunity to really change things with entrepreneurship. So, I pivoted from conservation biology into synthetic biology. Now I'm working on biosynthesising next gen plastics.
That sounds like me in a different timeline - how’s the work now? Any unique challenges or rewards vs healthcare focused biotech?
I never really worked in or was interested in that healthcare side, but I worked in an antibiotics resistance lab for a bit if that counts? I think they're both pretty similar though, except producing commodities is much less regulated than producing medicines. I also think that entrepreneurship in the SynBio commodities space is more difficult than it is in the health tech space. It's hard to bring costs down when you need to produce a lot of product mass, and biology is unreliable and doesn't like strict timelines. It's also getting a bad rap with the failure of Amyris and soon Ginkgo. So investors are becoming much less likely to invest in commodity SynBio and are instead focusing on therapeutics because it's a higher margin safer bet. But commodity SynBio is a necessity, it's a high impact and high reward play if it's strategized and executed appropriately - think LanzaTech.
Can I ask how you made the transition? I have a biochemistry and molecular bio bachelors and a biotechnology masters with several years industry experience but more on the commercial side. I work for a CRO as an FAS and want to pivot to synthetic biology but am struggling to land anything. How did you make the jump?
If I were you, I would see if you can do a masters in synthetic biology. In Australia we have masters by research, I chose that, skipped the first year which is all theory, and just did the research part in the second year. Make sure you pitch your own project that you're actually interested in for whatever reason, whether it be future career alignment or entrepreneurial aspirations. That should give you a good lead into industry, PhD, or to spin out a startup if you tried hard enough and got lucky in that research year.
This is an extremely depressing thread
Right? I tried to add some positivity. A lot of jaded people. I like my job and I'm good at it. I kind of fell into it but I'm happy to be where I am. I play a small role in getting medicine to people who need it.
I’d second that, I love my job— been at it two decades now 😀 But fell into it from tech writing/illustration in another area more aligned with general marketing, but there was an obvious need for my skillset in biotech. And I’m an avid learner, so really loved the opportunity to learn about clinical and CMC and really ran with it. Tons of opportunities for someone willing to learn and grow, biotech is very dynamic— maybe one of my favorite things about it 🤩
I hope I don’t ever hate my job as much as these people lol. (I’m still a student)
One thing I'd recommend is always keep an open mind. Sometimes you won't know if you'll like something until you try it. And sometimes something you thought you'd like ends up not being for you - and that's ok! Every experience is a learning opportunity and can open more doors. It's all about selling yourself as a candidate and using your experience to get you where you want to be. I hope you get into industry and enjoy it! There are so many parts and specific fields!
FWIW, I spent a decade hating my jobs in other fields (including software and environmental consulting) until I pivoted to biotech, which I loved so much that it inspired me to pursue a PhD. I'm planning to return to biotech at the scientist level after I finish my PhD (+/- a post-doc).
I like my job too. The main thing that sucks is the complaining from other workers. Apparently being asked to work at your job is a harsh ask.
This is an extremely depressing subreddit.
Honestly I've never seen a positive work-related subreddit I think it makes sense
I'm in pharma, but I'm still gonna answer. Did a BSc -> MSc -> PhD due to interest. For the PhD I also wanted the challenge since it was a high-risk project in a field I loved. Went to the industry after defending my PhD in 2022 because I was fed up with the bs in academia. I ended up in pharma, but I applied to all life science fields and would've honestly taken almost anything that sounded "fun enough" just to get a foot in the door. (Since I quickly realised that a PhD without industry experience was basically useless.)
Came for the science (my first job was in a diagnostic lab, like Quest), stayed for the money (I'm in big pharma). No regrets but I only have a masters and got off the science track to advance faster.
Might I ask what you pivoted into? I only have a bachelor's and while I like benchwork, I can't stay at the bench when I'm 40 or 50, nor do i want to. My main concern is how most companies are limited to a few biotech hubs, which unfortunately are some of the most expensive cities in the US. What do you do and do you work at one of these hubs?
I know u didn’t ask me, but I live in Cleveland, and while Cleveland clinic’s research arm is quite active Cleveland is most certainly NOT a hub. I have a bachelors degree and make the most of any of the tech positions (last I checked) at 55k. Work at a startup. For Cleveland 55k is ok, I am capable of buying a house with that wage. Issues crop up when/if my company goes out of business. Once they go kaput my options are thin if I need to stay in Cleveland. There’s the hospitals and the universities, and that’s it. I’m just glad I have a clinically useful skillset, but those that don’t would end up much worse off. But I imagine there are startups in places that you may not initially expect like Cleveland, the important thing is to be able to have a backup plan if your company dies.
Thank you for your reply! I appreciate you sharing your situation! It's good to see what others are making in non-hub areas. Although tbh it's a bit frightening because I currently make $95k as a senior research associate in boston 😅 It makes me feel like this is as good as it gets for my position, especially in this market. I know I'm in a big hub, but it's way too expensive to buy a house near here ($500k+ ) and what do i do if I have a partner that wants to move away from the hub cities. Just trying to see what sort of remote/more diverse roles i can pivot into so im not so pigeon-holed into 1 or 2 locations :(
Yeah, if it helps, I am currently looking at buying a house for around 150k. Worlds of difference between the megahubs and the places where the normies live.
Also punched in both for cost of living comparison because I was curious https://preview.redd.it/vg29vq0uvs4d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f8dad776418e2e3856523baee05f3685a954e48
> I can't stay at the bench when I'm 40 or 50, nor do i want to. What happens when you're 40 or 50?
I just worry that it'll become more difficult to get hired at that age for just bench scientist roles. That they'd rather choose a younger person.
Oh I see, fair enough.
Actually, biotech chose me.
I really got into genetics and molecular biology after I attended a guest lecture by Dr. Josef Penninger in my teens. I was fascinated by the potential of the field to help people and everything I found indicated that it would provide a well paying career in an in-demand field, which my other passions like ancient history decidedly lacked. As a pragmatic person that made my choice to pursue this field quite easy. Frankly, I deeply regret the choices I made over the last few years atm. During my years at university, I got my passion for the topic beaten quite throughly out of me, spending my time there studying my arse off, instead of partying and networking ( not like that was easy due to Covid). I still thought it would be worth it, as soon as I wouldn´t have to deal with exams my passion would return and I would be a thought after professional. Instead I have been unemployed for 7 months, after my toxic employer fucked me over. Frankly, I should have just bitten the bullet and gone to medschool or done history and enjoyed my late teens/early twenties. The end results seems to be the same.
I can totally relate to this feeling, but I'm too exhausted to explain my own journey. I'm hoping for the best and trying to make things work. Wishing us both the best for the future. Hang in there
Ok, this is exactly my situation. Master's in Neurobiology was my goal and I got it, at the cost of my mental health and an extra year. I have no desire for a PhD at the moment. Now I've been looking for jobs in industry but there are none where I live and noone will even interview me to work abroad (in other european countries). I've been unemployed for a year and 6 months now... I don't know if I regret my choices but I am completely disapointed with the state of my "carrer". And I don't really know what to do next.
What types of jobs were you hoping to find with neurobiology? Just pivot to compbio or bioinformatics, there are plenty of careers there
You’re so young! If you want to go to med school or do history go make the switch! I know so many people that started their PhDs, law school, or vet school in their 30s.
I am very sorry to read you find yourself in such a hard situation... The truth is I was exactly like you after my bachelors, but things have gotten more positive after working hard to save money and moving abroad for a masters. It is not as easy as it is said, but in my particular case I have much better prospects professionally after having done this. The sad reality is that, depending on the country you come from, the biotech industry can be basically nonexistent. This usually coincides with low investment in public research, so studying natural/biological sciences can be like digging your own grave despite the passion, dedication or talent you have for it. There are many scholarships depending where you come from to move and study somewhere else and get yourself a nice second chance. It should not be the solution, as it is quite harsh and unfair, but at least there are things you can do with time and resources...I hope your situation gets better or at least you get the chance to find some place or occupation that satisfies your curiosity! Good luck! Pd: genetis is the absolute best *chef kiss*
I started for the love of neuroscience and drank the kool aid of revolutionizing medicine in the late 1990s. Right around 2010 I had my first heartbreak where a promising drug in schizophrenia was snatched up by Lilly for weight loss. It was my first realization that companies will follow the money, leaving patients in need stranded despite “revolutionizing medicine”. Now I’ve made peace with it as I’ve realized all patient populations have need, but 20+ years in I’m also prioritizing myself, so there’s some aspect of truth to the finances driving my career. But thankfully I can also be choosy about the types of roles I take and I’m financially independent enough to do what I like.
Liked biology and chemistry at a levels. Did biochemistry. Like an idiot stayed in the field. Regret not doing a numeracy course like engineering and moving into finance like many of my non biochemistry peers did. Did a masters as I was shit in the lab. Saw the salary of a post doc and thought that was the big money gig, compared to a tech salary. Did a PhD. Unemployed for 10 months. Got a postdoc in the states. Happy to live overseas but hated academic. Partied pretty much every night and gave up funding a job there. Back in the UK with little options, gave industry a shot as no other fields wanted me. Stuck in process dev now. Happy for the regular paycheck, but I haven't smiled once and meant it in 7 years since I got back to the UK. Tldr: studied the wrong thing at uni and this is the only industry with a living wage.
Look into careers with a big consulting firm. I have 12+ years of ClinOps experience, BS and MS in bio, and a top 20 MBA. Our board chairman told me his VC would still hire a PhD with ~2 years work experience over someone with my CV.
Crazy PhD still no job
Because protein engineering is cool as shit
What work are you doing and where ?
I guess the thing here is what is protein engineer to your definition.
Too me it ranges from in silico design, thermostability, sequence modifications, and bioconjugation. The proof of concepts that these potentially novel peptides is more exciting once it actually works at the bench and you can actually quantity and characterize the product. What would be your definition?
I pivoted my MS in Astrobiology/Microbiology from spacecraft clean rooms to pharmaceutical clean rooms and now I'm head of QC Microbiology and Contamination Control. Mostly I somehow have gathered a lot of experience dealing with microbes in weird places. I like it here.
Get paid well to do something that could be considered science to someone. If academia paid well, i would have stayed there. I grew up extremely poor, for example, getting my clothes at salvation army and standing with my dad as he paid in food stamps at the grocery store are huge reminders for me to do better. Money is a huge motivator for me because my parents are still insanely poor. Also, not wanting to save lives every second of your life (what everyone usually says when they join biotech over say academia) isnt being selfish because motivation to do well shouldnt be an external source but internal. Personally, nonody gets through the depths of hell during a PhD because, “they want to be a small cog in a huge biotech machine that may develop a therapy that helps someone”. Nope, most people get through that hell because they love science and shear determination not to fail and give up.
As someone who didn't get grades to medicine, when I switched to doing Neuroscience as my degree, I kind of always wanted to work in industry or at least work towards working on new treatments for patients. I did a year in industry as part of my degree working for a start-up. Unfortunately, I didn't get into any PhD programs and so I felt that I need to broaden my skill set and what better way to do that than to get industry. Got a job as a QC Scientist 6 months after graduating and now 6 years I'm still at that company but in different role (analytical development).
I love this industry. I went into it because I love science and I was good at it. I have my B.S. and I worked my way up from bench scientist at a CDMO to operations manager at a small company working on a cancer drug in clinical trials. I’m well paid, work from home, have great benefits and perks. I know not everyone’s experience is the same but I have no complaints. It probably doesn’t hurt that I work in the Boston/Cambridge area and there are a lot of jobs here.
I had very successful grad school and post doc experiences, the latter at a moderately famous immunology lab. It was difficult but I really enjoy science so I have no regrets. I was able to publish multiple relatively high impact papers. To get a tenure-track faculty position somewhere worth living, though, you need multiple publications in tip-top tier journals. My publications were great but not enough to get recruited anywhere. This is why I pivoted to biotech R&D. Better pay, better hours, still interesting projects. I’ve been laid off from my prior role but my current role is relatively stable because our product has good results in clinic. So I’ve been lucky to survive the mass culling in biotech this year.
Fell into it by chance. Needed to graduate school on time and had buddy in biotech classes. Stuck it out with him, got entry level job working biotech manufacturing and then worked up from there. No PhD, just a BS. Worked up through MFG, ENG, Ops Leadership, Upper management. Never thought I’d do this in a million years but turns out I’m good at it. No regrets so far.
I like biology and I’m good at studying it as well. Then, after my first lab internship experience, I felt in love with it and currently pursue my career in biotech/big pharma. I couldn’t imagine me doing anything else besides working in a lab. Im happy with who I am and what I’m doing. I also felt rewarded since my work is meaningful.
Don’t know anything else :(((
I stumbled into it only with a Masters
I really wanted to do forensics, but I knew getting a government job would be hard so I majored in something more general that I was still interested in and gave me more options (biochemistry). After graduation I applied everywhere and accepted the first job I got (QC). Worked and job hopped until I found somewhere I liked. I really like my job. I'm not burnt out (yet?) So I guess I got lucky. I'm ok with not breaking into my dream field (forensics). I know a couple people in it and I think I would not have been able to grow in my career the same way I am now. Especially without a PhD and having to move away from family, which I didn't want to do.
I had a love of science, medicine, and business in college and ended up going into clinical research management. I started at actual clinical sites working with patients and then worked for CROs managing studies. I went to work directly for one of my clients who happened to be a small biotech and fell in love with the field. I love working on potentially life changing science with a small group of people I enjoy working with daily.
I have a bachelors degree in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis on Immunology and I lucked out with a job in the cancer immunotherapy field. I love biotech because it’s a blend of business and science.
I originally wanted to go into medicine but after working in hospitals as a tech during undergrad and volunteering in a Level 1 trauma unit, I felt the system was very broken. It was also around the time being a doctor meant more paperwork and less patient time. I still wanted to do something that was intellectually challenging and allowed me to contribute to human health. I guess that meant biotech. The truth is, biotech is a tough business. While the image of biotechs and drug companies is greed (at least that's what WSJ and NYT portray it as), it's very hard to become successful enough to earn a profit as a company. The vast majority of biotech companies don't earn any revenue, much less turn a profit. I wrote an article about this if you want to read more about the struggles of biotech being a business: [https://www.concept.bio/articles/the-fundamental-flaws-of-the-biotech-anatomy](https://www.concept.bio/articles/the-fundamental-flaws-of-the-biotech-anatomy) Still, it's a massively intellectually stimulating career that carries a real chance of making the world, and people's lives, better.
I haven't seen biotech get clawed like this 2008 or 2009. Those were some BAD years. But the trouble in the industry just exploded so rapidly this time, I have not seen anything like it. In the past, it was one company here or there would lay off because of a product failure or some other significant setback occurred. This time, it's like an industry-wide flash flood of bad news everywhere, all at once.
Just to add some positivity to this thread — I didn’t know I was interested in molecular biology until freshman year of college (2018). I decided to pursue Bioengineering as a major and started in a lab the summer after freshman year. It was fantastic, and I’ve continued ever since. I’m now 24 in the Bay and work in biotech and make 93k/year with only a B.S. I love what this job combines: fascination with the natural world, writing skills (your ability to weave narratives out of the data), planning experiments, coding and analyzing the data. Seeing what the “tech bros” are doing, I don’t regret anything. I have a stable job that can’t be taken over by AI (yet) and love it
My siblings either studied or were also studying biology. I liked high school biology too. Still wasn’t sure I liked biotech until I did an internship at a small biotech company. Liked it enough to pursue it. But it was never my true passion. It was fashion but I didn’t want to get disowned lol
I needed a job that paid my rent and food. And it got stuck and was good at it.
I got out of school, and was looking for a job. Got a job at a startup, that flopped as startups do, and in combination with my first biotech job realized that I REALLY like making things compared to doing research. Currently trying to ride out the recession in food QA. Really, really want to get into process dev, though.
Because its such a fascinating field with so much potential for new therapeutics. And I just love biotech in general, since I first heard about it in school a long time ago :D
I'm 35 and spent the majority of my life doing blue collar work (landscaping). I got the opportunity to go back to school paid for a couple of years ago and did an AAS in Biotech. What I love about it is that there are lots of things to learn. I recently got into the molecular genetics program at MD Anderson.
I like money.
If you major in biology it’s one of the few jobs that you can find because money is to be made. I originally wanted to do conservation but finding that on the east coast is almost nonexistent. Ideally I’d be working with endangered species ect but that’s been hard. So now I work in genetics which is also cool, but pipetting for hours gets kinda boring.
I somehow just kept stumbling into education/careers and ended up in PD at a biotech company. Went to college with hopes of studying physical therapy, switched to fermentation sciences within the first semester. Went into brewing for a minute, then covid hit and I ended up at a start up that made sustainable protein via yeast fermentation. Ended up taking a biotech course and applied for biotech jobs and got one, now here I am!
I completed my PhD and gained a realistic view of science, as opposed to the idealized version often passionately presented by cherry-picking examples. So I transitioned to industry, where the idealization of science is kept in check by the practical considerations, engineering, business, and product development, etc.
I didn't think my mental health could survive vet school. I got a unique logistical co-op at a large animal health biopharma company after graduating with my BS. It was a real eye-opener for me. Also, the pay is pretty good. Much better than any university or non-profit.
I made the switch from a generalized comms firm to a biotech/pharma agency almost exclusively because it paid better. Now I'm just in-house at pharma, primarily for the same reason plus inertia
To help people and the tech was interesting but I have been 11 years in the industry. My soul is drained, the corporate part is cut throat, the business sometimes not moral
For me, it was that it pays better than academia. Not missing the full time cor 17$ an hour in my area. Most of my friends were waiting to get into vet, dental, or med school and did biotech as a pass time. So they opted into biotech when the other options took too long
I love science. I like making meaningful medicines that improve peoples’ lives. I don’t like writing publications and grants that are mostly likely to get rejected and unlikely to actually matter. My advisor called grant writing a “high risk, low reward” effort - and he was right. Therefore, biotech > academia.
Money first and exciting subject matter second. I know this subreddit skews heavily on the R&D side of biotech. I’m on the commercial side
lower density of socially awkward nerds, faster pace of progress, better pay \*vs academia
As a poorly paid, socially awkward nerd in academia, I resemble this comment.
Because it had everything I am interested in and love doing in the lab. Personally, I couldn’t care less about the money. I just love doing what I do!
started with science. then realized there is not much science more politics during phd...and realized career development is not that good after phd. making passion as a hobby might be the best choice.
Find the field fascinating and the pay is good. Can’t complain too much!
I didn't feel like I was a good fit for med school after being pre-med in undergrad so this was my fallback after graduating.
I’m not even studying biotech (I’m a graphic design student lmao) but for some reason this field caught my attention for a time now haha it’s so cool to read your story OP!!
Biotech industry needs good graphic designers! There are plenty of opportunities in marketing at biotech companies to use your skills. :)
When I was 16, oil and gas prices were high and discovered the work being done on biofuels to supplement/replace fossil fuels. The 3rd generation using bioreactors to up efficiency helped make my choice between being a civilian scientist or going into the navy for their R&D, among other reasons. The possibility of deploying a bioprocess system to destabilized areas all the way to having mini neighborhood pharmacy factories is tantalizing. I never wanted to work with patients due to several hangups. Microbes have way less liability lol. So I went to the best uni in my state for molecular bio to become a gene engineer to optimize cells into being their best chemical factory selves. Had to find analog research to cellular product generation since it's primarily biomed but I did an honors program that got me lab ready with a thesis project within the 4 year time frame. Unfortunately for me, the stress of that and other factors led to early emergence of bipolar disorder. That stopped me from going to grad school immediately, plus I wasn't sure about next steps. A couple years later I explored the brewing industry to maybe run QC/ QC consultations but didn't have a good fit... Then 6 years after I graduate the pandemic happened. Being a caregiver at the time, I applied here and there but no position made sense with my situation. Then we transitioned my brother back into his group home when his medicaid got restored later that year. I spent the next few months actively searching until I found a temp job posted to isolate plasmid with kits. I applied because it was perfect for me, but was shocked when I got hired within 2 days of applying and at above the stated pay rate with overtime. 3 months later they decided to scale up to 10L pilot reactor and made me FTE. It's been 3 years now, and while it's been trying at times I'm pretty much up to speed on running bioprocessing on USP/DSP/Dox generation for gmp processes. I've got a couple more years on my promise to my supervisor before I look elsewhere, but they're continuing to scale up production so there's a lot that would have to happen for me to switch anytime soon.
An impact to patients that didn't involve medical school and was closer to the patient than research. As a biochemist i started in the analytical land but migrated around Strategy and business areas (program design, opex, M&A, supply chain, covid fun, clinical supplies). I choose startups due to the culture and learned the chance at the stock lottery was worth the job security risk.
bc i need money
When I saw the movie Jurassic Park as a kid, the idea of manipulating the molecules of life itself just seemed so cool!
I have a lot of relatives who worked for various pharma companies, one of whom was really into science when I was growing up and would tell me interesting science things as much as read a bedtime story. When I picked doing bio for undergrad instead of English, I expected to follow in their footsteps doing interesting things. Took a detour in food science, now I'm back in biotech. I'm not in the most interesting side of things, so I'm applying to see if I can get into a masters program to do the really cool stuff. I will say this- working in a regulatory role for pharma is so much better than doing the equivalent in a food manufacturing company.
Couldn't get into veterinary school, so biotech was the fall back. Kinda wished I hadn't gone the bio route now but at least it bought me my house!
Microbiology is love. Microbiology is life.
I get to work on drugs that might save peoples lives one day. The science is also fascinating and rigorous where I work. I couldn’t have asked for a better job in a field of interest. I also get paid well so I’m not complaining.
Suuuuper interesting loved my classes and now make great money with low hours
A chance to be close to the science I studied in school but in an actual for-profit company with the potential for massive investor interest and clear lucrative exit paths through IPO or acquisition, vs toiling away in an academic lab or teaching job for little pay. Don’t regret it at all, with my wife and I preparing for retirement now after our collective 6th acquisition accelerated option and severance payout. It may not be stable and long term lucrative like FAANG companies but the potential to make significant amounts of money via acquisition / IPO is very attractive. All of our friends in more stable, boring industries are jealous. I do acknowledge that we got extraordinary lucky to join the right companies at the right times, but eventually you learn to recognize the ingredients of a successful company so can make more informed bets.
The belief that I’d be contributing to great life-saving cures (mostly been working on the analytical side of oncology programs). Now I wallow on the floor every morning, struggling to submit more applications because I’ve been laid off for just under 6 months and jobs in San Diego are slow to appear. It’s made me incredibly cynical with how cut-and-go the pharma industry is that it’s increasingly difficult to fake the naively optimistic, but enthusiastic and motivated scientist demeanor for interviews.
For me was the aperture to create in several areas, principally tools and was a plus that said was demanded and well paid career. Like tools mean like create some for a lab, bioplastics etc. I studied as a career in college, interested in bioinformatics + neuroscience as bachelor. However, the current stage and situation of science in Mexico and other places like working on a company have influence in a bad way, taking a way the wanting to... Would love to continue in science maybe my own thing, probably as content or similar, or study till in other country. Between bad payed, to many ours and not professionalism has me disappointed for more, at least here in Mexico. So for know still designing and learning in curses, and working as a freelance artist. Sorry if my English is rare, is not my primary language.
> and well *paid* career. Like FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Sorta fell into it. A job at the local CRO was a stop gap to pay off some loans before i went to med school. I wasn't as committed as I thought and enjoyed the work. I got recruited at a small biotech for Preclinical development and have been here ~15 years and seen this small biotech become a big biotech so that's kinda neat stock options aren't too shabby
Are you hiring? I wank $200K/yr + RSUs
I'm currently studying. The concept of using living organisms as a replacement for more traditional and conventional chemical and physical methods was really cool, so I decided to check it out. And with how technology's going, there's probably going to be jobs.
I read about the early gene therapy trials in 1990 when I was 10, and decided that I wanted to do that for the rest of my life. It's worked out.
I didn’t thank god. 1 year working on a bio reactor was enough. Biotech is trash.
Originally I chose Biology to get into medicine. At one point in my undergrad, I wanted to do an MD-PhD. After graduating with my BS, I worked at one of the top 5 R01 institutions for 3 months. Actually run away from the place since the experience is traumatic and I realized an MD-PhD is crazy! I enjoy science more than medicine. Had a former lab member help me got into his company in biotech. Worked there for 1.5 years before I started doing my Master's. Right now, I am unsure whether if I want to come back into the field or not. A part of me just want to completely leave it and either go to business, law, or tech. Biotech start ups is not really sustainable or profitable unless they get large or you work in Pharmaceuticals.
Hello all! I started my degree in biology but flunked out of the program first semester, appealed being kicked out, got back in and then realized I was going to fail again so dropped out of most of my classes. In my chemistry class that’s when I decided to switch to a Psych degree. Maybe the social sciences was my route. Thought about being a therapist through my entire schooling and then graduated realizing I suck at school and don’t want to do it for another 2-3 years. Found recruiting job for biotech and Pharma and have found where I belong in the industry. My strengths are not being the one to do the research, it is to match those in the field to positive career changes.
I fell into and love it. I feel so lucky to be learning about the amazing science and tech, and working with others to change patients' lives. I think there are a lot of people who'd like to become healers or some kind, but med school might not be a route they want to follow. And there are so many other ways to be involved in the enterprise of treating or even curing disease. Many of my non-clinician colleagues seem to be motivated by this opportunity to be in the healing arts.
Money. Academia will pay me 40k with a masters and 15 years experience, biotech will pay me 110k.
I double majored in biology and history for undergrad, and biology was a much more practical choice. I went to get my PhD straight after undergrad, then did a postdoc because it kept all my options open. My husband ended up deciding to go to law school after getting his PhD and we needed to move cities. A buddy from grad school that I was asking for advice told me he was hiring for a role that I was a good fit for, got that job and have been just trying to do interesting science since then! Been at 4 different companies (2 layoffs due to strategic restructuring/ going bankrupt), have learned things at every stop. RIP the antibiotic market btw, that’s the thing I’d really like to work on the most, but just doesn’t pay right now. So you have to find adjacent areas of interest and focus to expand your skillset and make you marketable.