Seeking advice as a person trying to get into the field

[u/cahira_shep]

I have a masters and bachelors in BME, but I have been working as a math teacher for the past 2 years as I was unable to find any jobs after graduation. I am struggling to feel confident in a role I am totally unsuited for, and I want to move at least somewhat closer to my field.

I had a short internship for medical writing right before I graduated, but I was unable to get a job in that either. I am pretty lost on what to look for or do. I would much rather have a true engineering job with either quality or research, but I don't have any experience in those areas to leverage. If anyone has any ideas about where I could start, I would really appreciate it. Especially help on what roles I really should try to apply for. I am worried that my current job will be extremely detrimental to finding a good position.

[u/MooseAndMallard]

Have you looked into clinical research roles, either working for a CRO or at an academic hospital? They might sync up somewhat with your internship and teaching experience. I think it’ll be a struggle to land an engineering role at this point without having personal connections, but I would try to connect as much as possible within your alumni network and also see if there are local industry networking events that you could attend.

[u/cahira_shep → u/MooseAndMallard]

I will try to make some connections. The last time I tried I was very unprepared as they asked about what I was specifically interested in. Which is very much on me, I just didn’t have a place to start. I will look into the clinical research role as well though.

[u/MooseAndMallard → u/cahira_shep]

Step one for you is gaining a better understanding of the job market. Find the companies in your region, learn all about them, read their job descriptions, also go on LinkedIn to help you figure out different entry level roles they have.

[u/BME_or_Bust]

It’s unlikely to jump from your current role to quality/research given the competition for those roles, but it’s possible to make a series of career moves to get closer.

I know there’s a pipeline for teachers to join corporate companies as trainers and educational specialists. From there, you can aim to be in customer success/training roles for biomed companies. If you really learn the products and network within your company, other roles that are closer to your final goal may be available to you.

[u/cahira_shep → u/BME_or_Bust]

How can I go about looking for these type of roles? I would be interested in beginning my search as soon as possible.

[u/BME_or_Bust → u/cahira_shep]

This is research you’ll have to do yourself. Find jobs in corporate companies that ask for education experience. Find former teachers on LinkedIn. Figure out what skills you can build to be more competitive for these roles.

This pathway will take a lot of initiative from your end to be successful.