Advice/encouragement needed - might get long.
Aug 4, 2015 20:43:40 GMT -5
Post by musicalsilver on Aug 4, 2015 20:43:40 GMT -5
numbersgirl08 - research biology. Specifically genetics and molecular biology (with a degree obtained from an immunology lab). Mostly qualified for wet lab research positions and not a whole lot else, as that's all I've been doing for the last seven/eight years.
I've been applying at the CDC/folks that contract for the CDC up to wazoo, because that's what I'm *really* interested in, but pretty much anything that keeps me in research in any kind in an immunological/genetics/molecular biology setting would do me just fine. I'm willing to take just about anything at this point, but ideally want it to be tangentially related to biology/public health.
Undergrad was Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - so more of the same, really. Sadly my work experience is really just lab work with a side of tutoring. I worked food service seasonally through most of undergrad, but those hours suck for dealing with a small child. It all makes it hard to find a job doing anything else!
How have the CDC jobs gone so far? Are you having trouble getting interviews or have you gotten some interviews? I know people that have worked at the CDC, mainly in the public health sector and less in an actual lab setting though. Just throwing ideas out there - have you met with someone to go over resume at all, like a career coach or something? Sometimes that can help when you're trying to get traction, just having someone else's eyes on, an impartial third party.
Eta: also, I'm in a moms group from my church that I know has former CDC employees (maybe a current one too). People send out emails randomly sometimes that are like "I have a friend looking for such and such a job, anyone have leads". If you're interested, I can do that, if you want to message me a short blurb, like "I have a friend with extensive research biology academic experience who is looking for a job. She's very interested in the CDC but is open to other options - anyone have contacts that might help her out?"
I've had multiple eyeballs on my resume, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt at this point to find a professional of some sort to look at it. I just wish my stupid alma mater would throw me a bone on that one, but they suck.
If you don't mind sending out an email, that'd be great. I'll PM you.
I just need to reiterate to you all in general - you are awesome!