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I'm in the steps for making a second lab technician job at another school official (for the record, I didn't even apply for it, it was just offered). So in addition to my part time position, I'll get more hours doing the same thing while getting more experience at a university. The people are great at both places and I enjoy the work. And I'll get to save more money, which is best for career switching anyway.
When I was touring the new university, it had such beautiful labs that I started to convince myself that being a lab technician here for a couple years wouldn't be so bad. And then, I met with the new Lab Coordinator, one position above me. Her roles sounds doable, and I started to think I could work my way up to that. Then, I learn she has her PhD! If I had done that much schooling and intense research, there is no way I'd want to be so low on the totem pole, just making enough money to get by. It was like reality struck me again and reminded me to get out of science. So I have great jobs as a young 20-something-year-old, but it's definitely NOT in my future.
I am lucky to have the ability to take classes at both schools for a slight discount. Will look into some options when I have narrowed down what I want to do. Right now being a Market Research Analyst looks interesting ...
I got a BS in biology a long time ago; went through a similar process of looking for jobs in my field; did some unrelated jobs that paid well but which I hated. Then I trained to be a cytotechnologist. Once I started working at that in a hospital, it paid well and had great benefits. It was an interesting career, if you don't mind sitting at a microscope most of the day. I then went to PA school, and did that for a number of years. I know you mentioned that as a possibility. I have no idea of what the tuition is, but it is a great field to be in. To be honest, though, I never was that much interested in health care, and due to many factors left the field. If you can swing it, though, health care is the place to be. Of course, now I am a real estate broker, not related, but I love it!
I got a BS in biology a long time ago; went through a similar process of looking for jobs in my field; did some unrelated jobs that paid well but which I hated. Then I trained to be a cytotechnologist. Once I started working at that in a hospital, it paid well and had great benefits. It was an interesting career, if you don't mind sitting at a microscope most of the day. I then went to PA school, and did that for a number of years. I know you mentioned that as a possibility. I have no idea of what the tuition is, but it is a great field to be in. To be honest, though, I never was that much interested in health care, and due to many factors left the field. If you can swing it, though, health care is the place to be. Of course, now I am a real estate broker, not related, but I love it!
Oh how I'd love to pick your brain! Do you mind expanding on what you liked and disliked about being a PA? Did you specialize in any field? What personality types do you think would be best suited for the job?
Like I previously mentioned, my only healthcare experience was a 6-week live in program at UMass Medical School. In addition to some basic lab work, tours, and seminars, we went to the medical school/hospital everyday to shadow people who work in the profession. My first assignment was with patient transport for a couple weeks .... it was terribly boring! We didn't transport people so much as supplies. It was quite dull for a 16-year-old and the employees I worked didn't seem to love it either. I also shadowed an internal medicine doctor for awhile. That was a lot more fun and interesting. Of course, at that age I didn't fully comprehend everything he said and did .... I distinctly remember med students falling asleep during their advisor meetings.
In terms of personal health-related visits, I absolutely hate going to the doctors myself! I will put off the dentist until I'm in too much pain and have being meaning to book an eye doctors appointment ... for the past few years! LOL. Perhaps in a power role, I would enjoy the clinic/hospital setting more. I have some hope of re-surging my PA interest, I can take the A&P classes I need at work and get certified in something (like EMT) for the necessary work hours. I think getting the degree would be a lot of work, but I feel like it would academically doable for me. Personality-wise, I might be okay for it ... I'm low-key and realistic, it takes a lot to get my stressed (and conversely excited lol).
Also, if you don't mind telling me more about your real estate experience I'd be interested in hearing that! I used to think getting a license was an interesting niche, then I read 1/7 Californians have one ... so perhaps its not that lucrative of a field? I know it's a lot less glamorous than what HGTV paints it to be, but I sure do the love the risk/satisfaction of house flipping and or owning income properties. Of course, in both cases you need some $$ to invest - thus bringing me back to square one = what field should I be in?lol
Oh how I'd love to pick your brain! Do you mind expanding on what you liked and disliked about being a PA? Did you specialize in any field? What personality types do you think would be best suited for the job?
Like I previously mentioned, my only healthcare experience was a 6-week live in program at UMass Medical School. In addition to some basic lab work, tours, and seminars, we went to the medical school/hospital everyday to shadow people who work in the profession. My first assignment was with patient transport for a couple weeks .... it was terribly boring! We didn't transport people so much as supplies. It was quite dull for a 16-year-old and the employees I worked didn't seem to love it either. I also shadowed an internal medicine doctor for awhile. That was a lot more fun and interesting. Of course, at that age I didn't fully comprehend everything he said and did .... I distinctly remember med students falling asleep during their advisor meetings.
In terms of personal health-related visits, I absolutely hate going to the doctors myself! I will put off the dentist until I'm in too much pain and have being meaning to book an eye doctors appointment ... for the past few years! LOL. Perhaps in a power role, I would enjoy the clinic/hospital setting more. I have some hope of re-surging my PA interest, I can take the A&P classes I need at work and get certified in something (like EMT) for the necessary work hours. I think getting the degree would be a lot of work, but I feel like it would academically doable for me. Personality-wise, I might be okay for it ... I'm low-key and realistic, it takes a lot to get my stressed (and conversely excited lol).
Also, if you don't mind telling me more about your real estate experience I'd be interested in hearing that! I used to think getting a license was an interesting niche, then I read 1/7 Californians have one ... so perhaps its not that lucrative of a field? I know it's a lot less glamorous than what HGTV paints it to be, but I sure do the love the risk/satisfaction of house flipping and or owning income properties. Of course, in both cases you need some $$ to invest - thus bringing me back to square one = what field should I be in?lol
I just graduated from PA school in September and I'm currently working as a military PA.
It's a fun job. A lot of thinking and challenges. There's a pretty big demand for PAs (many hospitals are hiring us over docs because we're cheaper and PAs with experience can be just as knowledgable). Also, you can have multiple jobs in multiple subspecialties, you can work part time, etc. It's definitely a good field and consistently ranked as one of the best growing fields in the country.
Do you ever think it will be an over-saturated field? It seems to be gaining in popularity very quickly ... if I started planning for it now, it would be at least 4-5 before I was fully done & graduated.
Do you ever think it will be an over-saturated field? It seems to be gaining in popularity very quickly ... if I started planning for it now, it would be at least 4-5 before I was fully done & graduated.
Not anytime soon with the baby boomers getting older. Maybe in like 10 years, but experienced PAs will have no trouble getting jobs probably ever.
Another field to consider is environmental quality, health departments that must certify wells.
I have a bachelors in geo-science with a concentration in environmental science. I also have done a 6 wk fast paced hydrogeology course. But, since I've graduated in 2011 I have had to work for 3 environmental companies. The first company I worked for part time (for 5-6 months), the second one I was laid off after 4-5 wks once the job was complete, and the third one I worked for 5 months followed by a lay off. I'm thinking about giving up in this field but, I just came across a certification I can possibly obtain and will expand my job opportunties I hope. Its to be a certified environmental health specialist after I take a course, do a unpaid internship, followed by a state exam. Any opinions or advice?
Last edited by ghostown75; 01-20-2013 at 08:24 PM..
Reason: spelling
Think twice about coming into the enviornmental field
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattle81
I am in a very similar position and I'm also based in Massachusetts. Graduated with a BA in Biology in December with internship experience with a state environmental agency and laboratory assistant work experience. My passion is conservation and I've been looking for the past 5 months across the country for anything related to that or environmental work (i.e. environmental technician, environmental scientist, research assistant, consulting). I received one single interview in that five months for an environmental scientist position and the employer wanted someone who already possessed certifications and remediation experience, which I didn't have. All other interviews that I've received were for unrelated laboratory tech/scientific writing $12-15 an hour jobs that don't lead to anything in terms of a career I'm looking for.
There are so few conservation jobs in the public and private sector out there that I've given up on them. I could apply for seasonal jobs that pay little, but what's the point when you can't find full time work after the summer? I don't have an engineering degree, certifications, or much experience in environmental work which also hinders me in applying for environmental jobs. I cannot afford a masters degree in the environmental sciences at this time and I know two recent grads who received masters degrees in conservation and environmental science who have yet to find something going on 6 months now.
I've also realized that applying for entry level jobs across the country is a waste of time and have narrowed my scope to a few nearby states. It is what it is and I must soon take whatever I can get and move on to another career field very soon if my luck doesn't change.
I graduated in 2011 I have a bachelors in geo-science, did a field camp in hydro-geology and did a internship with the U.S. Army corps of engineers doing hydrographic surveying. Plus I was in the military. I'v been laid off twice already and worked for 3 companies in a span of a year. At this point I feel the best thing to do is to get into another career because the one I'm in is very unstable. Another thing most jobs will prefer a masters degree and at least 5 years experience because you must know how to do your job already in order to make the company money!!!!
My standing advice to everyone is steer clear of science unless you are going into a healthcare professional program.
Otherwise get a grad degree in something that isn't science like finance, accounting, computers, engineering etc.
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Can my certification help me
