Mid undergrad crisis

Student Lounge College Life
1

I’m majoring in microbio, no idea what to do with my future. Starting 2nd quarter of sophomore year, already took some major courses, so it’s kinda too late to switch majors, and I wouldn’t know what to switch into anyways. Right now I have a 3.48 cumulative gpa with a research position, I have a choice on whether or not to take ochem and I don’t know what to do.

I want a stressfree job that will make me enough money to live comfortably like live in a nice apartment and able to afford a low range luxury car. I care more about job prospects though, I’d rather not make that much money but have a job thats not very competitive to get like pharmacy, any ideas?

2

Take the PCAT and apply for pharmacy school. You could start a PharmD program as early as next year if you take the PCAT soon.

3

Pharmacy isn’t so hot in california right now, even those with experience are having trouble finding jobs and I can’t go rural, I love the suburbs/city scene.

also follow up, I don’t care if I’ll hate my job, I just want to make money and pay off my loans asap, all I want is $$$

4

Do you like working with young people? How about science education? You could become a high school science teacher. Not crazy high paying, but a career you can start with a bachelor’s degree and pick away at a masters while working. After a few years of experience you could explore working for international schools and/or DoD schools overseas for some cool living experiences and a little boost in salary.

5

WE all want a stressfree job that will make US enough money to live comfortably like live in a nice apartment (HOUSE someday) and able to afford a NICE car. I care more about job prospects though, (REASONABLE)

I’d rather not make that much money (SEE ABOVE THOUGHT) but have a job thats not very competitive to get like pharmacy (ALL JOBS ARE COMPETITIVE).

Loans will take time to pay off, if you can make enough to pay them off in say 5 or 10 years or they aren’t enormous, that is fantastic. If you have 6-figure loans … can’t help you there.

So let’s just stop with the stressfree relaxing jobs, unless you are heir to a family business that can afford a real manager so you can come in and relax.

The best way to make your job seem fun is to actually like what you are doing. What have you liked so far ? What type of work do you enjoy, lab work, office work, teaching, jobs with the public ?

Ochem won’t kill you and is required for a lot of bio and science majors. So if in doubt, take it so you stay on track to graduate.

Nursing is a pretty intense major, but the academics aren’t quite as hard as some majors (lots of practical work) and nurses are always needed, can live and work anywhere in US or abroad, and can have flexible schedules.

We don’t know you, but others do and your university has lots of resources from career centers to fellow students to grad students to professors to various programs on campus to volunteer work to research opportunities.

In terms of timing, it is likely that you can change majors now or at end of the year and graduate on time, but you do have to say spend winter break looking at options (web sites for other majors, etc) and thinking about your future.

6

Clinical Laboratory Technologists are in demand (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_102.htm) and are generally paid well (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000). Getting licensed after a microbiology bachelor’s may be achieved through a one-year program (http://www.calstatela.edu/page/clinical-laboratory-scientist-certificate) or sometimes through employment as a trainee (for example: https://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/technologist-trainee-associated-regional-and-university-pathologists-JV_IC1128289_KO0,20_KE21,68.htm?jl=1542370116). A few colleges/universities have a clinical laboratory science major, which makes entry into the field easy.

7

Talk to your favorite Microbiology Prof about job prospects. Go to your college’s career center and ask the same.