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How can you build experience for chemistry/biology lab-based careers?

I am interested in doing research or working in a lab as a career, but I have no clue how I should go about gaining experience for positions outside of what I'm learning in college. I currently do undergraduate research but it oftentimes does not feel like enough! Many lab jobs seem highly specific in what they study, the equipment they use, and the methods they use to study their subjects. How can I ensure I am prepared to get a job in my desired field upon graduation? What steps should I take over the next few years (while I'm still working toward a bachelor's degree and going to graduate school) to make sure I am confident in my skills as a researcher/scientist? #career-counseling #career-choice #chemistry #biology #entry-level

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Ken’s Answer


Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your education/career process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. When you find the proper fit, it will be easier for you to focus on the areas most suitable for you and to connect personally with those who can provide the answers. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. The area your are investigating is very broad. Taking this step will allow you to have a keener focus, which will make your efforts so much more powerful.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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edmond’s Answer

From a practical standpoint, I suggest that you look at summer or whole-semester internships. many companies offer such internships on a regular basis. with COVID-19 it may be a bit more difficult for specific lab work at the moment, but I would suggest you pave the way for future internships. Reach out to hospitals, health orgs, companies that are likely to have such openings. If you land one of these opportunities it will go a long way to help you determine if you would like to base your career on that experience. It will also solidify your resume even before you start full-time employment!

I also suggest that you try to attend some online conferences. Some are free and you may be able to take advantage of that. These are very informative and give you a feel for what kinds of lab-based careers are right for you.

Good luck!
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