Career Advice?

[zulyblue]

Hello!

I guess I should introduce myself before I start with
anything else, eh? I've been a lurker here and on the
main list for far too long (since mid-December). I
really enjoy reading the posts in the HPFGU groups,
but usually feel that I have nothing to add that
hasn't been said before.  I have, however, been around
long enough to realize that HPFGU is composed of many
interesting and diverse people so I thought I try
might picking your brains a bit.  Of course, I'm not
sure how many science types there are on the list but
its worth a try.

Oh yeah....I'm supposed to be introducing myself :)
Well, I'm almost 28, from Massachusetts, but have
lived in Cleveland, OH for 2.5 years and am more than
ready to move back to New England. I have a BA in
biology and a MS in entomology and have been working
as a research assistant in a lab at a University for 3
years.  My job is ok and I love the people I work
with, but I have been kind of bored and unhappy for a
while.  Lately every project I take on just seems to
stop working so I spend my time doing experiments over
and over changing  little things here and there to try
to make them work again and not generating any data at
all.  I do immunohistochemistry, some histology, some
morphology, some confocal microscopy,  assorted in
vitro assays, and general lab stuff like ordering,
maintaining equipment (keeping track of birthdays and
ordering cakes!)  and making sure everyone in the lab
is happy and things are running well.  I have a few
publications and lots of poster abstracts.  I make
pretty good money for what I do, but I'm just not
happy doing it anymore.  I also am never going to make
it as a research scientist.  I don't have the passion
for it and I'm not good at interpreting results and
asking the right questions. Basically if I stay where
I am I will be a tech or RA for every with little or
no room for advancement. Even thought I am trying to
leave benchwork behind, I was looking into
biotech/pharmaceutical/industry jobs because I am
(hopefully) looking for a salary increase (not to
sound greedy, but I have bills to pay, my car is about
to die, and if I end up there Boston is alot more
expensive than Cleveland), but I don't really have any
molecular biology skills which is what most of the
biotech companies are looking for.  I like science,
but on a far more basic level.  When I was growing up
I wanted to be a biologist for as long as I can
remember and I don't want to leave it behind and I
also don't want to feel like I am wasting my science
education. Ok...far too much information I know.

So after that long winded intro/explanation, what I am
really asking is this-  Does anybody have an
suggestions or ideas about science jobs that don't
involve benchwork?   

Thanks!

Zulyblue


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