r/botany • u/plantlessonsasish • 16d ago
Career & Degree Questions Career advice
It's been 10 months of unemployment after my masters degree in plant biology. Wanted to go for PhD. I haven't been shortlisted with any interviews until now. I have no papers published till yet.
I wanted to pivot so bad . I want to know if there is international professional level certification in plant biology.
Any advice could help
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u/NativePlant870 15d ago
Literally in the same boat. Finished my masters in botany in May and was unable to find employment. Several seasonal positions that I interviewed for were cut due to lack of funding. It’s rough out here. My thesis included 3 years of field surveys
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u/External_Cobbler3736 15d ago
If you're in a position to be considering masters, you're probably more qualified than many of the ecologists I have to work with as a council contracted gardener/landscaper. Sometimes, I feel more qualified than them lol and I'm just a (experienced) laborer. Might be worth looking in to council/govt work wherever you are
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u/Moving_goal_posts 9d ago edited 9d ago
Hi OP, Retired botanist and Ph.D. plant science researcher here, and I feel for you. Yes, it’s a challenging time to be finding a big opportunity, but there are good prospects awaiting you. As to international certification… not sure if that exists, people build their careers through peer review research. A Ph.D. would be a good step toward that. Keep applying for the type of Ph.D. candidacy or job you really want. You have already demonstrated that you have the determination and discipline to finish a huge project— getting your degree. If you have publishable data then develop your paper(s) and submit them to journals. Make that your utmost priority.
Have a mentor take a look at your Curriculum Vitae and help you figure out what might be missing. If your mentors who write your letters of recommendation are not giving you a glowing account, it would be good to know this! How to find out? Just ask politely if they are willing to remain on your applications as a recommender, and be sure they realize you are not getting the interviews you thought you would. If they seem hesitant, it will be necessary to find others who can provide this extremely important help to you. In interviews and applications, be honest and forthright about your skills. Also mention your willingness to take on new tasks. You could pint out several specific examples in which you stepped into responsibilities in the lab or elsewhere and were successful. Tune in to the list of skills needed for the jobs that do open; you might need to get more training in a skill that is in demand.
Drop a friendly note to your former advisor and other professors, let them know of the kind of opportunity you hope to find. Then, assuming they have concrete suggestions, be sure to send a thank you letter (email or even a card). Stay in touch with any of your other relevant acquaintances, friends and mentors, let them know you are looking. Be prepared to give positive responses even if you’re stuck in search mode for the time being. People do want to help a capable, ambitious, forward-looking person and the right job for you is indeed out there.
Meanwhile, can you consider substitute teaching? There may be temporary work in florist shops over the holidays, or caring for office plants which need to look good all winter, or helping with a special project through a land trust. While none of these might pay commensurate with your education and skills, you might be able to add to your resume through such activities, and you’ll meet people who can inspire and support your greater goals. Good luck!
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u/myrden 16d ago
I went consulting. It still took me like 3 months to get a job but j think for plant bio it really is our safest bet right now. Look at things outside of directly plants, play up and classes you took on wetlands and ecology, anything soil science is huge, hell play up horticulture and landscape design. Like don't straight up lie, but really really stretch that truth. It's tough and the market is goddamn awful right now.