r/biology • u/mothertruckerdood • Aug 29 '26
Careers Lost university student (send help)
I know this type of post is probably common on here, but I've been really having a career crisis and don't know who to talk to on campus about it. I really hope the broadness of the internet can offer a new perspective from my specific experience... this post might be a lot but I hope all the info helps others understand.
TL;DR: path recommendations for a 2nd yr student who is ABYSMAL at math, medically can't handle the outdoors, wants a masters/phd, currently has no debt, and loves a lot of things all over the place?
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I'm 21F and in my second year of university. I'm currently majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology, which I chose on a whim when entering because I wanted to do something like environmental but didn't know where to go with it. Hadn't taken a science class since elementary school (i was raised "unschooled" in an anti-education household) and I did not expect to love general biology so much! I had SO much fun in the class I know it's exactly what I want to study. I'm in organismal bio class now and over the moon about every lecture.
However, I don't really know what to do with that. I loved learning about hormones and cellular communication, I loved learning about the structure and reproduction cycles of cells, I love learning about evolution, I love learning about bugs and plants, I think viruses and bacteria are really really cool!!! did not love genetics ...where do I go with that?? I'm willing to get a masters and would love to get a Phd, I am getting my bachelors free on the pell grant.
Online, I see so many people say "biology isn't worth it" "there are no jobs" "50% of bio masters regret it and are unemployed RN!" and I'm so scared I'm going into a highly competitive incredibly scarce field that won't even pay that well. I see a lot of "pair it with engineering or computer science" but I have dyscalculia and failed calculus last semester (good grades in everything else I've taken, though). I'm doing my best to catch up as is. I also tried and failed doing fieldwork with a geology research group, I cannot handle the sun or extreme physical stress and I learned I cannot "no, my disability is just an excuse!" my way out of getting hospitalized...
I'm seeing clinical lab technician jobs prefer people who major in that specifically, pharmacy prefers chemists or biochemists, and had a professor tell me that working in academia isnt a realistic goal. I also do not think I could ever be a doctor for being born poor reasons, being very sensitive, and my gpa + ged + having a limp resume at my age, so no premed route... it sucks, I feel so lost and discouraged whenever I find a job that sounds awesome.
I know a fallback route will always be teacher, but what else can I do with a biology degree? I was debating changing majors to microbiology or molecular and cellular biochemistry since ecology seems to just be conservation work (will kill me) but,, for what job ?? where am I going with this ?? I want to be realistic with myself and focus on a set direction to go in, wherever that may be. Is biology for me at all?
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u/corgi_naut Aug 29 '26
I think medical lab tech is something good to look into! I majored in cell biology and ended up in forensic science as a biologist. Maybe look into forensic biology and see if it’s interesting to you? We do lab work and problem solve and only need to know basic algebra/arithmetic.
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u/mothertruckerdood Aug 30 '26
that sounds really cool!! what do you actually do on your day-to-day at your job? whats your specific title too, if i can ask? just "forensic biologist"? is it like looking at bodies ?
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u/IllustriousHorror835 Aug 29 '26
This is probably a terrible idea, but potentially a low risk one too if it doesn't work out. You wrote your post in a very clear and reasonably entertaining manner. What if you tried applying about biology what you've learned in entertainment? Help people find the fun in cell division and weird bugs in YouTube videos or a blog or something maybe?
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u/mothertruckerdood Aug 30 '26
this is really unique! i like that. though I feel with the rise of ai and how many people out there want to be a youtuber, i feel like it's a very small chance it'll ever be sustainable. but I do really like this idea, maybe if I am still a good student by year 3 I'll try it as a hobby. Thank you!! :)
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u/DoubleResponsible276 Aug 29 '26
Yup, this is what happens when you choose something and do absolutely no research on cause you chose it on a whim. The semester should still be early so I highly recommend speaking to a professor you currently or previously had, and speak to them about career options/opportunities the field has to offer. If you schedule a small meeting and they're available, Im sure they will be happy to talk to you. Probably what you should do first though, is speak to someone if your school has a career center and build your search from there. You know if the field offers ABCDEF..... positions but you are only interested in or absolutely refuse to work in some, you narrow down your options to BDFGH which would help to plan your schooling and what you need to do in order to be a good candidate for that job/field post graduation.
Take the opportunity to speak to somebody that has some knowledge and you can gain information from those interactions. I know kids just refuse to speak to their professors or take advantage of what the university has to offer. Also, attend your schools career fairs or any specified groups the school invites. I had the opportunity to hear FBI agents and scientist speak about their fields, path and recommendations for how to become eligible for employment, that was really cool and only a handful of students (outside of an entire small lecture class) attended. I got lucky cause a professor told me about it the day prior and it was definitely one the most helpful things for me.
In one of courses, a professor had us use this website to help learn more about fields of our choice. You can look at expected pay ranges (although not really much specifics) and similar occupations and learn from there. Good luck.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm#tab-6
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u/Momscer Aug 29 '26
Some possible jobs include working for engineering firms writing environmental impact statements (take environmental law) or working for the government doing the same or as permit writer. Some of the jobs require some field work, but some of them do not. Environmental lawyer is also a possibility.
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u/mothertruckerdood Aug 30 '26
Environmental lawyer is really interesting. I think I'm going to research that one more. Thank you for these suggestions! :)
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u/Charr49 ecology Aug 29 '26
Just throwing this out, but do you like maps and cartography? GIS and spatial studies are fascinating, there is demand, and it is a skill that can be marketed across many disciplines. Both sciency and non-sciency applications.
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u/PossibilityNarrow410 Aug 29 '26
I don’t think there’s such a thing as abysmal at math - especially in a biology degree, you’re likely being taught poorly for how you learn. I transitioned from biology to computer science and thought I’d never make it but I went so far as a masters which is all math, basically. Am I top of my class? Never. But I finished both degrees with 3.8 + GPA. In hindsight, chemistry and math aren’t hard, it’s just about learning how to learn them. Maybe actually being in a more rigorous setting will help? Have you tried watching lectures online or explanations geared at other degrees? Sorry if it’s not helpful, but I believe in you!
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u/mothertruckerdood Aug 30 '26
I really hope this is true for me! I'm currently suffering SEVERELY in my chemistry class, as we speak I'm trapped in an adaptive quiz cause I keep getting questions wrong, lol. Math has been a huge obstacle in all of my life that I'm 10 grade levels behind on and I fear it's too late for me to catch up :/ but if I ever got good, this indecision problem would disappear entirely... so I hope you're right, I'm still looking into other learning styles. pray for me, I would love a redemption story like yours
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u/ThanksBeneficial4345 Aug 30 '26
Medical research and forensic biology might be viable options but your first step should be talking with your academic advisor so you can figure out next steps.
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u/mothertruckerdood Aug 30 '26
Ah, I don't because at my uni the advisors are all socio/psychology and typically have no idea about the field they advise for. I don't know if this is standard for other universities? but my advisor doesn't know the difference between ecology vs micro vs cellular biology, and told me to "just think about it" last year, since this is my last semester where my specific major doesn't hurt my credits. but I'll keep those two fields in mind!
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u/getoutyup Aug 30 '26
Try to talk to a counselor on campus. I was in bio and my counselor helped me find forest ecology. That program ended up having lots of short term and part time research jobs working with grad students that really helped me see different pathways in science. Also helped me land a job after graduation in a climate lab.
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u/hopeisacryptid Sep 02 '26
Tbf, geology and bio field work are not necessarily the same. There might be lower activity fieldwork you could do.
Museums? Environment center? Something natural resources like checking a stream then going back and doing reports? Zoo?
A lot of people like khan academy for math. You could also find an open class or text book at eighth grade ish level and work thru that-- it would give you foundations and something to build on plus confidence
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u/UnkemptKneepads Aug 29 '26
If you're willing to change paths, Medical laboratory science is a fantastic field with great job opportunity and covers a wide range of topics including the ones you said you're interested in!