to be sad dd still isn't in a graduate job 5 years later?

[tinyelephantlargeant]

Dd is 27 and did her degree in biology, with a placement year in a chemistry based laboratory.

She has been working in retail ever since. She has been looking and applying, but says nothing much comes up and when it does there is no luck.

I'm aware she is a grown adult and can do what she wants, but me and her dad financially supported her the whole of university and we are a bit sad that she is still just in retail, it's not as if she is overjoyed with it either.

@tinyelephantlargeant

How about she writes off to places to do some unpaid volunteering/ placement to get some recent experience and then hopefully if roles come up she'd be considered?

5 years is a long time to be out the loop isn't it? Her other option is to do a PGCE to teach

Please on your daughter's behalf OP if you think she is autistic do follow this up urgently. It should have nothing to di with having changed colleges you can refer her yourself and look into autism in women and help hwr get a diagnsis

getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-and-support/scholarships-and-bursaries?funding_widget%5Bsubject%5D=biology#funding-widget

If you scroll down to "biology secondary school"

Bursary £20k

She might like to look at some of the open university courses to top up her knowledge. A diploma (2 years part time or 1 year full time) in a more specialist subject - or just as a subject refresh - may help her step out of retail. It will also demonstrate to new employers she's been motivated to progress a career.

I'm 32. I have a (basic) science degree. I was in retail until I was 28 and then got the job I'm doing now. Not a graduate job, not remotely linked to science. Pay is abysmal. Degrees aren't the be all and end all nowadays, I regret going to uni and not doing something vocational instead.

Being a neurodiverse adult and not having that understanding about herself will massively hold her back (speaking with direct knowledge here ) and is linked to mental health problems if it goes unsupported

Its quite likely if she is constantly told to smile more and is put on backroom duties thst there may be neurodiversity here and ahe could learn how to work with it rather than constantly feel she is failing

I'm not sure why people are suggesting teaching as you've already said she's not really a people-oriented person.

What about looking at laboratory technician jobs and perhaps working up from there?

I second this. I'm lab based and so much work in science fields in Ireland.

Perfect answer, the rush to go to Uni for whatever subject at the expense of a worthwhile apprenticeships is something that needs reversing, not referring to the OP's daughter's subject which is a traditional degree area. I always remember my boss cursing about his son going to Uni to study Golf Course Design which seems an ideal subject for a 50/50 practical/academic apprenticeship with a worthwhile award at the end.

Is it worth her exploring ASD diagnosis. If she is diagnosed it may open doors in terms of guaranteed interviews if she meets criteria and/or accommodations at interviews.

There's a huge shortage of Science teachers...

NHS lab job?

A part-time masters in an employable area of Biology.

How do you know that? She could have applied for 100 roles for all you know. I would suggest that she’s not applying for enough if she’s only had 8 interviews in 5 years.

If she applied too 100 relevant jobs and only got 8 interviews that'd be a pretty bad sign anyway, and if she's only applied for 20 jobs a year she doesn't deserve anything more.

This mat have been mentioned already but would she consider working as a school lab technician? I'm a Head of Science currently looking for a technician and having a lot of trouble finding one!

I know quite a lot of schools near me who are also really struggling to get technicians.

Not sure where in the country you are based but I bet there are schools seeking technicians!

You need to treat getting a suitable job, like doing a suitable job- thinking sideways, search every day, not necessarily where you are based, look at admin roles at places like the big pharma companies, I will be honest I suspect you want it more than her, I don't think she's putting the groundwork in.

I've had a look at the open university site, the environment qualifications look like they may be the way to go and moving forwards it's a growing area for jobs too. Environmental management, change, innovation all that links into her biology and chemistry roots. Moreso if she could get a voluntary job In the field with someone like woodland trust or similar.

Our local NHS Trust seems to have a lot of vacancies for Biomedical Scientists. MSc in Biomedical Science could be something to explain?

I'm Biology trained, now a teacher (by choice rather than necessity), and honestly, it's really difficult to get a decent job without some sort of post-graduate degree. Most people I know from my course either did a post-grad, or went into a completely unrelated field. Would she consider an MSc, or a clinical course of some kind? I think 5 years beyond graduation, she's going to need something recent to get a look in. I think you probably are, but just in case you're not, please ignore all the posters who suggest she should be a Biology teacher. It's REALLY not the profession to go into if you don't actually want to do it.

I will be honest I suspect you want it more than her, I don't think she's putting the groundwork in.

i agree with this, I think she's comfortable in her retail job. Some people are happy just doing a job and don't always want a career

Reckitts have a few lab based vacancies.
https://careers.reckitt.com/job/Kingston-upon-Hull-R&D-Associate-East-HU1-1AA/920076501/
"At Reckitt, we recognise that in real life, great people don’t always ‘tick all the boxes’. That’s why we hire for potential as well as experience. "

8 interviews in 5 years! She’s not applying for a lot!

is she strugglling to find jobs to apply for, or not having confidence to apply for stuff? Are there specialist recruitment agencies for this field? If so, sign up!

also look on nhs jobs or whatever it’s called now and apply for lab tech posts, even basic band ones. She needs a foot in the door.

Sorry, for some reason in my mind I thought she’d only applied for 8 jobs. I get she could have applied for loads more.

Genuine question - do people think about jobs/careers when making the decision to apply for a uni course?

I did a degree that very much leads you straight into that career. I didnt necessarily like it more than I would have perhaps biology or maths as subjects but they don't lead you directly into a career. Not saying people shouldnt do maths or biology but just how much thought it being put into these decisions? E.g engineering rather than maths/physics or nursing/pharmacy/physiotherapy etc inside of chemistry/biology

8 jobs in 5 years ? that's not right. I left college right slap bang in recession. I do know it's different times now. but I was applying every single week. going for so many interviews it was like a script I knew off by heart. she sound like she has no interest in working in what she studied in. or else she has slipped into the easy route and is not bothered now. if she wants to get into what she studied a visits to a recruitment agency would be help. you do have to pay for it (I did it and it was so worth my while ) they went through my cv helped me rewite it..practiced interviews with me where was going wrong etc. also advised on courses I needed to do I order to advance my career

Please stop recommending teaching everyone! Everything I have read suggests this young lady would be chewed up and spat back out in teaching.

I have no expert advice, but here’s what I’d do in your/her position:

• seek ASD assessment- privately or through GP
• find out what your daughter really wants to do as a career. A job in a lab feels like first step, rather than life plan ( though it could be)
• seek careers advice from old uni
• look at master’s degrees: a lot of competitive areas really need post grad qualifications.
• look at graduate careers that aren’t necessarily working in a lab, but play to her strengths. Certain IT roles could be good.

your daughter’s aspirations seems very limited and there’s a wide variety of graduate jobs where a biology degree would be a real bonus.

IT programming might suit her. She wouldn’t necessarily need to interact with people, but she could make the most of her intellectual abilities. Lots of graduates aren’t in their area of study, but it’s unlocked an interesting career.

working in a shop seems to be the worst of all worlds. It doesn’t play to her strengths, but neither does it pay well or challenge her intellectually.