The Student Room Group

Oxbridge advice

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.

Reply 1

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.

Consider applying to the Big 4 for an ACA qualification in Audit. Use that as your launchpad for a career in consulting.

Also continue to apply for pharma roles

Reply 2

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.

how did you do 3 years for biochem and not 4 - I didn't realise that was an option lol

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