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AlphaNomega

College degree and no one is hiring me-so down and depressed!?

Hello. I just graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree (major=biology). I spent 1/2 of my college education studying hard for the pre-med courses that I took so I lack any working experience. My GPA turned out low (2.75) because prior to biology as a major, I was a chemical engineering major, and the difficulites I faced with those engineering courses took a toll on my GPA. I decided I would like to simply enter the workforce and earn some money to pay off my debt. Unfortunately, I have applied to over 100 places and have not been picked for any. When I asked them why they didn’t want me, their response was, “there were candidates with more experience in this area.” I decided to apply to fast food places and custodial work, and I was rejected because I was “over-qualified” and/or “inexperienced”. I have been searching for a job for the past 3 months with no avail. Is there someone who understands my situation? How do I build experience with no experience

Top 9 Answers
Parrot Eyes

Favorite Answer

Hang in there! All of us have been there. Sometimes things take time to catch fire. Three months is not a long time to be searching for a job. In your position it could take six months or more, so you’re fine.

Check with some professors and see if they know anyone who needs a research assistant or the like. Try to get research-oriented jobs or jobs teaching kids’ classes at the local community center — start to get your name out there by a few different ways. it takes a year or two to build up but then people will start thinking of your name.

Be very clear with yourself about what sort of job you want, what company you want to work for and what field that is and then stay focused. Don’t aim too high because you have too much professional competition — you should be looking for entry-level professional jobs, not food service and custodial.

A biology degree also suggests a liberal arts background, which can help you a lot.

Get networking and ask anyone in your circle of friends or family if they know anyone who is looking for someone like you. If you have an idea of what companies you’d like to work for, go deeper, get some information about the company, call someone who is in the department you are interested in, and (without asking for a job) tell them you are interested in learning more about their company’s future and prospects and that you have a few questions. Explain that you are a recent graduate wanting to learn more about your options in the market, if they ask why. After you’ve learned more about that company, you may decide you do want to apply there, anmd now that you do, you know at least one name.

Hope this helps, and keep your courage — you will begin and then keep going, like everyone does. It’s not easy but it will happen.

Get with Monster and FlipDog and give as full a profile as you can, and open the market to as many cities as you can — be willing to move.

1

williamdefalco
I knew somebody that was in your exact same situation, with the similar Biology degree as well. The main problem with a degree like that is that you usually need more than just a Bachelor’s to even be looked at unless you have the proper experience. A Master’s program, or something involving CLS (clinical laboratory sciences) will really help you out then, since not only will you get the advanced degree that you need but the programs usually involve many hours as a laboratory assistant getting the experience you need as well.

A Biology bachelor’s is kind of like a psychology bachelor’s. Without the extra certification you’re kind of stuck in a career/educational limbo. But by all means please don’t do the fast-food thing. You’re much better off putting yourself in some kind of work-study program for your Masters or CLS in Biology, or something along those lines. Hope this helps.

1

5 years ago
?
In my experience, a lot of people get depressed after finishing a degree. There is a sudden change to the structure of your life – there are no timetables, no exams to focus on, and the support of teachers ends. The depression is a part of grieving the change to your life. Some people adapt to the change by having a ‘gap year’ and travelling; some go into vocational training to teach or something; some remain students. At some colleges you can continue to see their careers advice or counselling services for 6 months after leaving, and that can help. If you are getting depressed, you could see your doctor about getting a counsellor so you can discuss the options available to you. This should help you to regain control of your life faster.
0

Valerie
I was in the same place for a year… since I graduated in 2004. I finally decided to take a civil service exam to get into the county and have been working here ever since. Sometimes you have to take the risk, but government jobs (especially local ones) can offer advancement and government jobs do have places for those who have their degree in Biology. Not only that, but to apply for a job in your field, your transcripts will count, but so will your job experience with the organization. Consider trying local or state government, because even if you feel you are underqualified, you are able to advance.
1

Magnetochemist
I know many people with bio degrees that are in your situation. Now, your GPA is quite low so even getting into grad school may be difficult. Now, the hard part to tell you is that biology undergrad and professional schools are much different than biology graduate programs where you must be VERY strong in either math and/or field work and research.
1

Andrea B
Is there a placement program that your college offers to help you get a job after graduation? At my school, they have internships and companies that they partner with to help students get experience working in the real world. Biology is a hard degree to get a job in unless you go ahead to continuing education.
2

Kellydoc
Have you thought of going back to school? I was a biology major, and know a lot of people who were in my major and tried for med school, and when that didn’t work out, were a little stuck. Going to grad school for micro or any kind of biology would definitely help for a career. I’m currently in optometry school and loving it. Look into schooling options!
1

lvshimmydiva
I’m in the same boat. I just graduated to and still trying to find a job. I had to settle for a ticket selling job at a museum. trust me it’s borin. just be persistent in your job search and search everywhere. try your local government agencies (like the city, county, water district if you have one) and job search engines. Don’t worry, it’ll get better. that’s what I keep tellign myself.
2

Anonymous
apply to law school. There are enough law schools in the country that you will get admitted to one. Work hard in law school, study for your state’s bar exam, pass the bar, and you are a lawyer.
1

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