Feeling lost in job search
I currently am in my third and final year of university at Oxford and I took a year out- so I start third year this September mainly for my mental health and so I know what to do when I go back as I’ve had a very stressful two years and I’m trying to learn to take a break.
I study biochemistry but I no longer feel I have interest in sciences as in research anymore. Last year I was predicted a 2.1/1st but due to some circumstances I got a 2.2.
I have spent most/all of my break so far trying to secure an internship for the summer and I’ve been rejected from pretty much everyone that I applied to - I went mainly for consulting/tech roles. Sometimes rejected before interview mainly. I feel I have a good cv with some good experience on there so I’m not sure why- last year grades maybe?
But now I am interested still in pharmaceuticals or consulting but can’t seem to secure anything. I have no clue what to do/where to go from here and I haven’t really achieved the goals I set for my break at all with my mental health and moving away from academia as I feel I’ve still been working the whole time- with planning and job applications constantly.
At this point I feel a little lost- if I stop applying then what if I don’t get a good grad job and if I don’t stop and try to take a break what if I go back to university burnt out again?
I’m not too sure where to go from here and would love some advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
I study biochemistry but I no longer feel I have interest in sciences as in research anymore. Last year I was predicted a 2.1/1st but due to some circumstances I got a 2.2.
I have spent most/all of my break so far trying to secure an internship for the summer and I’ve been rejected from pretty much everyone that I applied to - I went mainly for consulting/tech roles. Sometimes rejected before interview mainly. I feel I have a good cv with some good experience on there so I’m not sure why- last year grades maybe?
But now I am interested still in pharmaceuticals or consulting but can’t seem to secure anything. I have no clue what to do/where to go from here and I haven’t really achieved the goals I set for my break at all with my mental health and moving away from academia as I feel I’ve still been working the whole time- with planning and job applications constantly.
At this point I feel a little lost- if I stop applying then what if I don’t get a good grad job and if I don’t stop and try to take a break what if I go back to university burnt out again?
I’m not too sure where to go from here and would love some advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
Reply 1
I currently am in my third and final year of university at Oxford and I took a year out- so I start third year this September mainly for my mental health and so I know what to do when I go back as I’ve had a very stressful two years and I’m trying to learn to take a break.
I study biochemistry but I no longer feel I have interest in sciences as in research anymore. Last year I was predicted a 2.1/1st but due to some circumstances I got a 2.2.
I have spent most/all of my break so far trying to secure an internship for the summer and I’ve been rejected from pretty much everyone that I applied to - I went mainly for consulting/tech roles. Sometimes rejected before interview mainly. I feel I have a good cv with some good experience on there so I’m not sure why- last year grades maybe?
But now I am interested still in pharmaceuticals or consulting but can’t seem to secure anything. I have no clue what to do/where to go from here and I haven’t really achieved the goals I set for my break at all with my mental health and moving away from academia as I feel I’ve still been working the whole time- with planning and job applications constantly.
At this point I feel a little lost- if I stop applying then what if I don’t get a good grad job and if I don’t stop and try to take a break what if I go back to university burnt out again?
I’m not too sure where to go from here and would love some advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation. All these rejections are kind of making me doubt myself quite a bit.
I study biochemistry but I no longer feel I have interest in sciences as in research anymore. Last year I was predicted a 2.1/1st but due to some circumstances I got a 2.2.
I have spent most/all of my break so far trying to secure an internship for the summer and I’ve been rejected from pretty much everyone that I applied to - I went mainly for consulting/tech roles. Sometimes rejected before interview mainly. I feel I have a good cv with some good experience on there so I’m not sure why- last year grades maybe?
But now I am interested still in pharmaceuticals or consulting but can’t seem to secure anything. I have no clue what to do/where to go from here and I haven’t really achieved the goals I set for my break at all with my mental health and moving away from academia as I feel I’ve still been working the whole time- with planning and job applications constantly.
At this point I feel a little lost- if I stop applying then what if I don’t get a good grad job and if I don’t stop and try to take a break what if I go back to university burnt out again?
I’m not too sure where to go from here and would love some advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation. All these rejections are kind of making me doubt myself quite a bit.
Reply 2
I currently am in my third and final year of university at Oxford and I took a year out- so I start third year this September mainly for my mental health and so I know what to do when I go back as I’ve had a very stressful two years and I’m trying to learn to take a break.
I study biochemistry but I no longer feel I have interest in sciences as in research anymore. Last year I was predicted a 2.1/1st but due to some circumstances I got a 2.2.
I have spent most/all of my break so far trying to secure an internship for the summer and I’ve been rejected from pretty much everyone that I applied to - I went mainly for consulting/tech roles. Sometimes rejected before interview mainly. I feel I have a good cv with some good experience on there so I’m not sure why- last year grades maybe?
But now I am interested still in pharmaceuticals or consulting but can’t seem to secure anything. I have no clue what to do/where to go from here and I haven’t really achieved the goals I set for my break at all with my mental health and moving away from academia as I feel I’ve still been working the whole time- with planning and job applications constantly.
At this point I feel a little lost- if I stop applying then what if I don’t get a good grad job and if I don’t stop and try to take a break what if I go back to university burnt out again?
I’m not too sure where to go from here and would love some advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
I study biochemistry but I no longer feel I have interest in sciences as in research anymore. Last year I was predicted a 2.1/1st but due to some circumstances I got a 2.2.
I have spent most/all of my break so far trying to secure an internship for the summer and I’ve been rejected from pretty much everyone that I applied to - I went mainly for consulting/tech roles. Sometimes rejected before interview mainly. I feel I have a good cv with some good experience on there so I’m not sure why- last year grades maybe?
But now I am interested still in pharmaceuticals or consulting but can’t seem to secure anything. I have no clue what to do/where to go from here and I haven’t really achieved the goals I set for my break at all with my mental health and moving away from academia as I feel I’ve still been working the whole time- with planning and job applications constantly.
At this point I feel a little lost- if I stop applying then what if I don’t get a good grad job and if I don’t stop and try to take a break what if I go back to university burnt out again?
I’m not too sure where to go from here and would love some advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
Reply 3
Volunteering, volunteering, volunteering! Volunteering may not make you money, but it's fantastic to gain experience and get good references from your 'employees'. You may even be able to step up to a job at the place you volunteer if you work hard enough.
Any volunteering helps out, but if you want something specific (which you probably do for the field you're in) I would recommend looking up companies in your area and seeing if they're accepting volunteers or even part-timers. Best of luck!
Any volunteering helps out, but if you want something specific (which you probably do for the field you're in) I would recommend looking up companies in your area and seeing if they're accepting volunteers or even part-timers. Best of luck!
Reply 4
Original post by EdwinDeRozarieux
Volunteering, volunteering, volunteering! Volunteering may not make you money, but it's fantastic to gain experience and get good references from your 'employees'. You may even be able to step up to a job at the place you volunteer if you work hard enough.
Any volunteering helps out, but if you want something specific (which you probably do for the field you're in) I would recommend looking up companies in your area and seeing if they're accepting volunteers or even part-timers. Best of luck!
Any volunteering helps out, but if you want something specific (which you probably do for the field you're in) I would recommend looking up companies in your area and seeing if they're accepting volunteers or even part-timers. Best of luck!
This, OP. If you can't get yourself squared away with any of the things you are looking for, then some voluntary work might be what your CV needs. Even if it's just something like being a STEM Ambassador (I was one for 5 years-ish).
Also, go see your Uni's Careers Service/Team and see if they'll help you jazz up your CV and give you a fresh approach to applying for things. Every Uni has one, though their name may vary, and it's there to help you.
(edited 2 months ago)
Reply 5
Original post by Pepperonispice
I currently am in my third and final year of university at Oxford and I took a year out- so I start third year this September mainly for my mental health and so I know what to do when I go back as I’ve had a very stressful two years and I’m trying to learn to take a break.
I study biochemistry but I no longer feel I have interest in sciences as in research anymore. Last year I was predicted a 2.1/1st but due to some circumstances I got a 2.2.
I have spent most/all of my break so far trying to secure an internship for the summer and I’ve been rejected from pretty much everyone that I applied to - I went mainly for consulting/tech roles. Sometimes rejected before interview mainly. I feel I have a good cv with some good experience on there so I’m not sure why- last year grades maybe?
But now I am interested still in pharmaceuticals or consulting but can’t seem to secure anything. I have no clue what to do/where to go from here and I haven’t really achieved the goals I set for my break at all with my mental health and moving away from academia as I feel I’ve still been working the whole time- with planning and job applications constantly.
At this point I feel a little lost- if I stop applying then what if I don’t get a good grad job and if I don’t stop and try to take a break what if I go back to university burnt out again?
I’m not too sure where to go from here and would love some advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
I study biochemistry but I no longer feel I have interest in sciences as in research anymore. Last year I was predicted a 2.1/1st but due to some circumstances I got a 2.2.
I have spent most/all of my break so far trying to secure an internship for the summer and I’ve been rejected from pretty much everyone that I applied to - I went mainly for consulting/tech roles. Sometimes rejected before interview mainly. I feel I have a good cv with some good experience on there so I’m not sure why- last year grades maybe?
But now I am interested still in pharmaceuticals or consulting but can’t seem to secure anything. I have no clue what to do/where to go from here and I haven’t really achieved the goals I set for my break at all with my mental health and moving away from academia as I feel I’ve still been working the whole time- with planning and job applications constantly.
At this point I feel a little lost- if I stop applying then what if I don’t get a good grad job and if I don’t stop and try to take a break what if I go back to university burnt out again?
I’m not too sure where to go from here and would love some advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
One tip is applying to less crowded positions. These are the ones that are NOT on linkedin or indeed. I collected a ton of these types of niche postings using simple python and published them all on this website (its nothing paid, its a free collection of these postings updated daily). Might help if you're looking for less saturated positions.
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