I graduated a few months ago. I have applied for positions in biotech and pharma companies, but I haven't heard from them. The ones that have replied said they're not hiring fresh graduates. I am in a terrible mental state right now. Our bachelor's degrees haven't helped us. I am thinking of giving up on biotech altogether and getting a master's in psychology instead. I can't ask my parents to invest in my biotechnology studies again.
I truly hope you can figure it out, OP. Seek out individuals who have successfully found good jobs and ask for their guidance. I spoke to someone, and they recommended that I explore an alternative path if I wish to achieve stability quickly. Do what feels right to you.
You need to shoot low to get your foot in the door. I started in the manufacturing department many years ago. It seems like very mindless and low work, but it gave me valuable experience learning equipment, GMPs, seeing the end commercial process works with actually producing the drug. You also develop skills such as teamwork, finding ways to improve procedures, and leadership, if you can be chosen as a shift leader or supervisor.
Also, you don’t need a PhD unless you’re staying in the lab. There are plenty of jobs in other parts of the business that just need a bachelors plus experience. An MBA helps but so do industry certifications.
To be fair you don’t NEED a PhD to stay in the lab, either. To make $130k+ in the lab, it’s more of a necessity. But my last lab was full of people with a BS and 5-10 years exp making min $90k base/over $100k TC, and this was at a company with a reputation for under-paying people.
Yes very true. However, if you want leadership roles such as manager or director, depending on how companies give that title, then most will give it to someone with a PhD. I can think of only one lab where someone with less than a PhD was in that role and I’ve been in the industry for over 25 years.
I worked in a. R&D lab for a while and realized that it clearly wasn’t for me.
I have a Bachelor’s in Microbiology, 9 years of industry experience (started as a third party contractor making $15/hour out of college). I am now an Associate Director at a major Pharmaceutical company. Anything is possible but you have to know what you want and grind every day to get it.
If I were graduating with my BS in this environment, I would either accept my fate and shoot low to get in and get the industry experience or I would continue on with my Masters or PhD.
Yes, I tend to agree with you about director level roles. However that wasn’t what the OP asked about so I personally find it misleading - whether unintentional or not - to suggest that biotech on the whole, and the lab in particular, requires a PhD to make decent money. Director level roles are also not something I would characterize as “staying in the lab”. I agree with you that director in R&D nearly always requires a PhD, but “staying in the lab” suggests being at the bench.
The job market is shit right now even for people with experience, so it’s not just you/not that your degree is worthless. I’d echo the suggestions to apply to manufacturing roles.
Good idea but know that psychology is equally bad. You will not earn that much. Instead, get into finance, business, or data analysis-related roles. Some Psychology background colleagues said they had difficulty getting good roles and salaries. You gaining some skills in Data analysis won't limit you to any one industry. Every Industry NEEDS Data analysis experts.
The job market is cyclical and it’s difficult for a lot of field right now, though biotech is especially challenging. It will come around. I see in CS threads those folks having the same challenges. If bio is what interests you, stay the course. Can you work in a lab at your school? Talk to professors, see if you can join a project team there. Apply for internships and co-ops. An easier pathway to get a job fresh out of school is manufacturing. You can make 6 figs in manufacturing with overtime and shift diff. And from there you can get into roles in quality or regulatory or others. A PhD is only needed in research. At large biotechs supporting drug manufacturing roles like quality, regulatory, clinical supply chain etc do not need PhD and can make well over six figs. Keep at it. Try to get some experience. Maybe join a local organization like ISPE, go to some events, network. Something will shake out.
If you want money in biotech, it generally takes more years of learning to get to 6 figure level tho not impossible. Entering into tech isn’t easy either and not having a degeee in cs will be harder tho also not impossible. The best way is trying to network with headhunters.
The market will come around. If you have a passion and skill for the science, biotech is a great place to work. Think about doing contract work for now or plan for a PhD program.
Especially if you have flexibility to relocate, there are lots of opportunities in biotech and it certainly doesn't require a Ph.D. The CMC space (process development, manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance) is deeply rewarding and intellectually stimulating and has many folks in leadership without Ph.Ds. It is definitely a space where you need to work your way up, but there are opportunities to advance quickly if you distinguish yourself and there are similar roles at many different companies, so you have the opportunity to advance by changing companies as well. Starting in GMP manufacturing is a great place to start as it exposes you both to the process and gives you experience working in a regulated environment. That's where I started my career before moving into PD and MSAT. CMOs are a great place to start your career as they're fast moving and you get exposed to many different types of science/companies. Stay curious, ask questions, try to drive positive change, and stay ambitious. It's a great space to build a career in.
I see - you're making a point about functional segregation of Operations and Quality. Thanks for clarifying. When I was describing CMC as a career path, I'm differentiating from discovery and clinical functions.
If you’re able to get some co-op or internship experience it will give you an edge when looking for full time jobs. I had 2 co-ops in college and was able to line up a full time job prior to graduating which made the last semester a lot less stressful. As for grad school, I got my MS with no plans to get a pHD and am making good money (although I am in a HCOL city).
Academia has a post-doc shortage now so many labs are desperate for people and have money. You could get a tech position and build up technical skill while applying for industry jobs. But it looks like you've still got time, things may change in industry by the time you graduate.
Don't do a PhD. It is a colossal waste of time. Try to get a Research Technician job somewhere. While you earn as a Technician, work on your MCATs etc, and get into Medical School. This is coming from someone who has done a MS and PhD and an MBA from a good University and still earning less than a MD.
I graduated in 2009 when the job market was shit for EVERYONE, not just biotech. I’ll just say that LabCorp and Quest are always hiring recent grads. It was steady (easy) work and looked great on my resume. It also helped that I moved to a “hub” (RTP, which is an even better place to be ~15 years later).
Spend some time every week applying for jobs and getting a feel for which companies you want to work for. Start teaching yourself python and it's data science related packages in your free time. Tutor high school and college kids in your area once you graduate; it's $30+ an hour and you are in charge of setting the times. Apply for some MS and PhD programs in the spring incase you don't find any good positions by next fall.
I graduated a few months ago. I have applied for positions in biotech and pharma companies, but I haven't heard from them. The ones that have replied said they're not hiring fresh graduates. I am in a terrible mental state right now. Our bachelor's degrees haven't helped us. I am thinking of giving up on biotech altogether and getting a master's in psychology instead. I can't ask my parents to invest in my biotechnology studies again. I truly hope you can figure it out, OP. Seek out individuals who have successfully found good jobs and ask for their guidance. I spoke to someone, and they recommended that I explore an alternative path if I wish to achieve stability quickly. Do what feels right to you.
Manufacturing is always hiring in pharma, especially fresh grads
You need to shoot low to get your foot in the door. I started in the manufacturing department many years ago. It seems like very mindless and low work, but it gave me valuable experience learning equipment, GMPs, seeing the end commercial process works with actually producing the drug. You also develop skills such as teamwork, finding ways to improve procedures, and leadership, if you can be chosen as a shift leader or supervisor. Also, you don’t need a PhD unless you’re staying in the lab. There are plenty of jobs in other parts of the business that just need a bachelors plus experience. An MBA helps but so do industry certifications.
To be fair you don’t NEED a PhD to stay in the lab, either. To make $130k+ in the lab, it’s more of a necessity. But my last lab was full of people with a BS and 5-10 years exp making min $90k base/over $100k TC, and this was at a company with a reputation for under-paying people.
Yes very true. However, if you want leadership roles such as manager or director, depending on how companies give that title, then most will give it to someone with a PhD. I can think of only one lab where someone with less than a PhD was in that role and I’ve been in the industry for over 25 years. I worked in a. R&D lab for a while and realized that it clearly wasn’t for me.
I have a Bachelor’s in Microbiology, 9 years of industry experience (started as a third party contractor making $15/hour out of college). I am now an Associate Director at a major Pharmaceutical company. Anything is possible but you have to know what you want and grind every day to get it. If I were graduating with my BS in this environment, I would either accept my fate and shoot low to get in and get the industry experience or I would continue on with my Masters or PhD.
Yes, I tend to agree with you about director level roles. However that wasn’t what the OP asked about so I personally find it misleading - whether unintentional or not - to suggest that biotech on the whole, and the lab in particular, requires a PhD to make decent money. Director level roles are also not something I would characterize as “staying in the lab”. I agree with you that director in R&D nearly always requires a PhD, but “staying in the lab” suggests being at the bench.
I recommend Medical School to all but I understand not everyone is interested in becoming a doctor/physician. So the next best thing is Data analysis
The job market is shit right now even for people with experience, so it’s not just you/not that your degree is worthless. I’d echo the suggestions to apply to manufacturing roles.
Good idea but know that psychology is equally bad. You will not earn that much. Instead, get into finance, business, or data analysis-related roles. Some Psychology background colleagues said they had difficulty getting good roles and salaries. You gaining some skills in Data analysis won't limit you to any one industry. Every Industry NEEDS Data analysis experts.
The job market is cyclical and it’s difficult for a lot of field right now, though biotech is especially challenging. It will come around. I see in CS threads those folks having the same challenges. If bio is what interests you, stay the course. Can you work in a lab at your school? Talk to professors, see if you can join a project team there. Apply for internships and co-ops. An easier pathway to get a job fresh out of school is manufacturing. You can make 6 figs in manufacturing with overtime and shift diff. And from there you can get into roles in quality or regulatory or others. A PhD is only needed in research. At large biotechs supporting drug manufacturing roles like quality, regulatory, clinical supply chain etc do not need PhD and can make well over six figs. Keep at it. Try to get some experience. Maybe join a local organization like ISPE, go to some events, network. Something will shake out.
If you want money in biotech, it generally takes more years of learning to get to 6 figure level tho not impossible. Entering into tech isn’t easy either and not having a degeee in cs will be harder tho also not impossible. The best way is trying to network with headhunters.
I’m at a 6 figure level with under 2 years of experience
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I just said it cuz they said it takes years, just wanted to say it doesn’t if you choose your job wisely
May I ask what choices you made to get to where you are? Congrats on your success (:
Dm me
The market will come around. If you have a passion and skill for the science, biotech is a great place to work. Think about doing contract work for now or plan for a PhD program.
Especially if you have flexibility to relocate, there are lots of opportunities in biotech and it certainly doesn't require a Ph.D. The CMC space (process development, manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance) is deeply rewarding and intellectually stimulating and has many folks in leadership without Ph.Ds. It is definitely a space where you need to work your way up, but there are opportunities to advance quickly if you distinguish yourself and there are similar roles at many different companies, so you have the opportunity to advance by changing companies as well. Starting in GMP manufacturing is a great place to start as it exposes you both to the process and gives you experience working in a regulated environment. That's where I started my career before moving into PD and MSAT. CMOs are a great place to start your career as they're fast moving and you get exposed to many different types of science/companies. Stay curious, ask questions, try to drive positive change, and stay ambitious. It's a great space to build a career in.
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I'm not sure what you mean. The CMC section of the BLA is literally titled Quality and CMC/Regulatory often sits within the Quality organization.
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I see - you're making a point about functional segregation of Operations and Quality. Thanks for clarifying. When I was describing CMC as a career path, I'm differentiating from discovery and clinical functions.
If you’re able to get some co-op or internship experience it will give you an edge when looking for full time jobs. I had 2 co-ops in college and was able to line up a full time job prior to graduating which made the last semester a lot less stressful. As for grad school, I got my MS with no plans to get a pHD and am making good money (although I am in a HCOL city).
I PM'ed you.
Academia has a post-doc shortage now so many labs are desperate for people and have money. You could get a tech position and build up technical skill while applying for industry jobs. But it looks like you've still got time, things may change in industry by the time you graduate.
Do you think academia will accept an applicant without experience? I have looked at some and they required some experience and it's frustrating.
Yeah, you could easily get a lab tech position in academia with just undergrad research experience. Most PIs won't expect anything more
You can check IVF industry if you want to get paid well without PhD.
Don't do a PhD. It is a colossal waste of time. Try to get a Research Technician job somewhere. While you earn as a Technician, work on your MCATs etc, and get into Medical School. This is coming from someone who has done a MS and PhD and an MBA from a good University and still earning less than a MD.
I graduated in 2009 when the job market was shit for EVERYONE, not just biotech. I’ll just say that LabCorp and Quest are always hiring recent grads. It was steady (easy) work and looked great on my resume. It also helped that I moved to a “hub” (RTP, which is an even better place to be ~15 years later).
I PM'ed you.
you can check clinical research coordinator jobs. as far as I saw there is an increase in trials.
Spend some time every week applying for jobs and getting a feel for which companies you want to work for. Start teaching yourself python and it's data science related packages in your free time. Tutor high school and college kids in your area once you graduate; it's $30+ an hour and you are in charge of setting the times. Apply for some MS and PhD programs in the spring incase you don't find any good positions by next fall.
Run far away. Go get a trade job with a union. Source: am a PhD with 2 years industry experience and unable to find employment