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...

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.

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.

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. 

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.