Becoming a Clinical Embryologist

Hi! I am currently studying Biomedical Science at university, and I am set on becoming a clinical embryologist afterwards. I know that I will need to do the STP, which I have seen is super competitive. Therefore I am trying to gain work experience, but I am really struggling for it! Would anyone have any tips? I have been sending out speculative applications to fertility clinics and reproductive labs so far, and reached out to a few lab managers/senior clinical embryologists on LinkedIn, but I have had no success so far.
Additionally, I am planning to apply for a Masters related to clinical embryology or reproductive biology, but these seem super expensive (the government grant would only cover half the fees, nevermind living expenses). Any ideas on what I should do here?
Thank you!

Hi! I am currently studying Biomedical Science at university, and I am set on becoming a clinical embryologist afterwards. I know that I will need to do the STP, which I have seen is super competitive. Therefore I am trying to gain work experience, but I am really struggling for it! Would anyone have any tips? I have been sending out speculative applications to fertility clinics and reproductive labs so far, and reached out to a few lab managers/senior clinical embryologists on LinkedIn, but I have had no success so far.
Additionally, I am planning to apply for a Masters related to clinical embryology or reproductive biology, but these seem super expensive (the government grant would only cover half the fees, nevermind living expenses). Any ideas on what I should do here?
Thank you!

Does your University have a careers service? Might be good to talk to them if you haven't already.

I would attempt to get any NHS experience (the NHS jobs site is where all NHS jobs are advertised) and personally I wouldn't pay for a masters. The STP includes an MSc in clinical science and you would have to do it even if you already have one in the same subject.

I'll have a look at the jobs being offered in the NHS around me, thank you! My thought process on doing a Masters is very similar, but currently, I'm feeling as though it's the only way to get relevant experience. It's frustrating!

Remember than an MSc isn't experience and so won't count for you in that sense. All NHS jobs are advertised on healthjobsuk.com so I would set up alerts for anything embryology related.
If you're looking to self fund an MSc and all the living expenses it would be cheaper to find an embryology service that would allow you to gain a few weeks of work experience.
Personally I would look at finding either NHS patient facing work (there is always work for good healthcare assistants) and/or some lab work. Embrology is laboratory work but it is far more patient involved than a lot of other specialisms, and definitely more than you'll have covered in a BMS degree. So that face to face patient piece is important.
Plus of course, jobs pay so it's a better position than paying for an MSc in order to get a job that will mean you'll need to repeat the MSc.