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.

It seems the Masters offered in Clinical Embryology often have partnerships with fertility clinics, so I guess it does offer work experience. I looked on LinkedIn and it seems most (if not all) clinical embryologists got a Masters, worked as a lab tech in an IVF lab for a while, and then got into the STP, so I expect I'll have to go a similar route.
That being said, I'm looking at NHS and laboratory jobs around me, but there aren't many entry-level roles out there at the moment. I'll keep on the look out!

Hi,
I’m not sure if you’re still struggling with this. I am currently doing a Master in Clinical Embryology. My advice would be to keep looking for opportunities and keep applying for the STP every year. In regards to doing a Masters, most people do it as it gives them a higher chance of getting into the STP but that being said, some have gotten in with just a bachelors and relevant experience. I know the Masters are pretty expensive but I am doing mine at LJMU and it’s the cheapest one in the UK so it would be worth reading up on as it is a great course to get you started. The best way to gain experience right now I would say to approach any IVF clinics around you and ask if you could volunteer once a week or so. They most likely will allow this and you can shadow embryologists and see how everyone else got into their role. Also, look for IVF lab jobs or Patient Coordinator jobs in an IVF clinic. These jobs don’t come up very often but it’s worth checking often as some do pop up from time to time. Hope this helps. Good luck with your journey!