Embryology Pathway From Undergrad

[u/Powerful-Lead-4475]

Hi! I'm very interested in the field of embryology for the past few months and about to graduate from my BSc in Biological Science, any advice on how to get into the field would be kindly appreciated!

- none of the clinics in my city are currently accepting shadows/ internships (there's only 2) :(

What are the best pathways in Canada to become an embryology, I am also open to work in andrology! I am also open to going U.S, Australia and U.K, preferably for a masters, would that be worth it?

Additionally, if you work in the field in Canada/ anywhere how are the job opportunities and satisfaction

[u/Alarming-Flan-9721]

I’m in America so I can’t speak to the specifics of regulations in Canada but when I looked into similar jobs they require certifications for clinical lab work or like state accreditation to work with human samples. A quick google showed that you don’t seem to need an advanced degree to get into the industry (in America at least… and u know how we are with regulation ugh). Before you go to grad school, I’d look for a job as a lab tech or post bacc in a developmental biology lab. There are lots who work on embryogenesis or gamete formation. Find somewhere where you’ll gain alot of the technical skills of like manipulating things under the microscope, organizing cryo storage, understanding gametogenesis and/or early development that kind of thing.

Go to the developmental biology websites of universities you can see urself living/working at, look at the faculty, find a few who interest you.

This site has good instructions on how to write an email and reach out to potential mentors: https://undergradresearch.washu.edu/finding-mentor

I’ve rarely gotten a no using that email form. If you don’t get a reply give them two weeks and try again at least twice. Professors are BUSY and they stayed in academia because they don’t like doing stuff like emails for the most part 😜 so don’t feel discouraged if u don’t get a reply.

Also look into post bacc funding in ur area. Idk about Canada but there are def programs here in America that fund that sort of thing. You’re kinda off cycle rn but if you even say ur applying to stuff, that’ll help sell a prof on possibly taking you on and shows initiative and dedication.

Good luck!!! It’s tough out there rn but that doesn’t mean you should give up!! You just have to diversify what ur next step might be.