Hi, I'm a fresh grad from Biomedical Science degree.

As we all know, the main job field for biomed science will either be in lab or product specialist field. And I get to knew that working in lab is really a tough job with very looooong working hours but low pay which somehow difficult to survive nowadays due to high living expenses and returning of PTPTN etc..

So would like to try out something else... can I go into the bank/finance field? If yes, what position I can apply for?

And in insurance field, is it biomed science grad can apply to become underwriter?

Hope i can get more informations and suggestions for u guys, thanks.

Don't think is low pay. My friend get RM3.3k after grad as her first job.

Anyway...the answer to your questions is yes. You can apply for any positions provided you do have basic knowledge of the subject. Like bank..do you know bonds, shares, fx, finance (simple calculations).

Ultimately, it depends on what are you choosing. DOn't just look at starting salary.

You can basically go into any fields. The options are wide there.

I am a science grads, venturing into non science now, for a year plus.

i think the possibility is there for you to venture into banking/finance, though the hurdle is probably how you convince them to hire you. as to what position, i can't help with that.

1) i don't study biomed, know some people who did. you said, tough job, low pay, long work hours. be realistic... other field are no walk in the park either. example, for underwriters, say year end closing or something... there will be a rush... agents submit more case, your boss wants you to process more case, so it will turn into business, sure... OT is unavoidable at times, but not every day. just to illustrate it to you, not to scare you.

2) as for underwriter in insurance company, funnily yes, it's very common. i think you already know this, from seniors or something. they are quite keen to hire. had a friend who worked as one for a few months, didn't like it... ended up luckily getting a job in a pharma or lab or something, happy...

3.3k for her first job!? That's really good..

I see most of the science grads are going into other fields... can i know what field u are in now?

But for biomed, we will have to work oncall which means the normal working hours will be more than 24 hours. I had a friend who have to oncall for 36hours (like doctors) but her pay was juz 2k... >< and the oncall is not juz 1 month once, it quite a few times...

I jumped from Biomed Diploma to Business Degree due to unbearable condition i had during internship in a hospital in my final semester 10 years ago. Today i work in corporate level in one of famous banks in Malaysia. I would say work is work whenever you go, the struggle is there but as long as you determine to follow and fulfill your passion, nothing come as obstacles.

Hi there TS,

I'm from a Science background too and I'm regretting every moment last time when I thought it was good studying Biochemistry for my Bachelor's degree. The pay is peanuts and there is no clear career advancement.

My advice is, if you wanna switch lines, do it quick before you waste time on gaining experience on a mostly dead-end career line in Malaysia. My friend who studied a Mass Comm diploma is earning 3-4k more than me a month with recent performance promotion.

Haha... Yea, its true~ not everyone can stand the working condition in a hospital... ><

True~ I have that "old thinking" last time and thought if I studied science stream in STPM and would like to continue in the same field as well in degree. But during my last semester of study, I started to worried about my future as like what u said, science background actually doesn't have really clear career advancement..

May I know what field u are in now?

Yea... haha XD sometimes i even think that those without degree can even earn more than us o.O

Quite true there is no clear path on where to go in next 20 years. No kidding, even my friend with diploma earn more than me. This can easily compare to a lecturer with Master earn less than a degree in marketing person. My advise is to switch as soon as possible because time wait for nobody.

ps: I came from Biomed diploma, moved to Business degree and currently working. If you ask me what i wanna do now, i wish i couldve took Architecture degree....but its kindda too late for that now.

Yea... now I do feel a bit regret going into this biomed field ><

Hi there Clover, right now I'm still on the same field after 2 years because I've invested quite some years into this field and I'm afraid I have to start over if I move on to a new field. Right now I'm working as a Science Officer in a local university (non-Gov). My pay is peanuts compared to my peers in different fields and no clear career advancement internally and externally.

Hi there, thanks for the reply. Yup... that's what I'm worrying about too~ I dont wanna waste what I have learned but seriously the pay for it is not enough to cover the living expenses nowadays (especially in KL)...

I thought of trying to work in lab field (gain experience as Im fresh grad) for 1-2 years and maybe will move to admin area if possible.

Have you thought about going into sales? Companies like Siemens and Thermo Fisher are keen to hire those with a biomedical science background to push their medical electronics line of products.

I have thought of it before but I might not be able to handle the job properly as traveling will be needed... I dont have a car >< and malaysia's public transport is not well establish... very inconvenient

You need to buy a car if you want to go that route. i think the train of thought is slightly not so right here. not having a car should not constitute the reason not going down the career path.

+1 to this.

But TS, if you don't have the passion for this, then don't waste your time. There are plenty of other options out there.

I am currently a biomed student too, graduating in 2017.

I also wish to venture into other fields as I find myself rather poor in wet lab skills compared to my current course mates.
That is also another reason why I chose bioinformatics (dry lab) as my thesis research focus.. I am also new to that area too. Hopefully I will gain a thing or two.

Saying that, I see this link refers to biomed graduates that wants to embark on the corporate arena?
I am also rather interested in that since I can't stand doing lab work all day, just the cells and me.
I personally admire jobs with more communication, makes me more energetic at work..

Looking forward to hear your experiences!

This is probably a very common concern so thank you in advance for those who would reply.