Studying a thrilling profession vs studying an applicable profession ? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 month ago by SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I'd really like to study genetic engineering because I find it a cool skill. But at the same time, job positions for genetic engineers are few and far inbetween. So while I'd potentially be good at something few people can do (=high paying). If I studied something like law, I'd be much more flexible geographiclally in terms of finding employment. So I'm wondering whether to aspire to a more common career and take GE as a hobby that I'm studying, or if I should double down on GE and work in a café until I find a job in that. (I might decide I want to pivot away from GE once I learn it anyway.) What do you recomend?

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[-] runner_g@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 month ago

I am in biotech in the US (currently in infectious disease monitoring, previously in cancer diagnostics). I'm going to assume you are in the US for this answer.

As long as you are willing to live in/near a biotech hub, there will be plenty of opportunities. These cities include Boston, San Fransisco, Denver, or any city that has a well respected research university (Duke, Ohio State, etc). If you choose to stay in academia, that opens up even more locations. There are many thousands of options outside of Monsanto. Depending on the area of the country you pick, you may start out in the 50-80k range, but it won't take long to make over 100k a year.

[-] SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

Ok that's not too bad tbh.

this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2025

9 points (100.0% liked)

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