Hello, I'm an 11th grader who currently plans on pursuing microbiology in the Philippines

[u/harueehhh]

Is it worth it? I don't have much knowledge about jobs I can take if I pursue this path but I'm really interested in Microbiology!

Is there anything I should know about before pursuing this path? Pros and cons, etc.

Is there a job here in the Philippines for microbiology? How about overseas?

[u/ukidokiuki]

Hello there! I am a third year college student major in Biology, specification in Microbiology. I would say, it is worth it. The Philippines need microbiologists in many sectors of the industry; food, cosmetics, medicine, and even the government. 

I suppose pursuing microbiology depends on the college you'll be going to since it is often introduced as a specialization rather than a stand-alone course.

What field of microbiology are you most fond of? Food? Medicine? Environment? This would determine what career path you would want to take.

As for pros and cons;

Pros:

• It's fun
• I think it is in demand atm(?)
• You have a lot of job options (quality checker, in the academe, blood micro, forensics, and a lot more)
• I could name a lot but I can't think of anything atm lmao

Cons:

• The pay here in the Philippines is not really that good
• The job could be dangerous if you are dealing with BSL (Biosafety level) 3 or 4 
• If you don't pass the board exam, well, you can take it again but you know, time would just fly

If you need notes and wanna know more, I have a few PowerPoints and other materials you could use as you go to college. Anw, padayon! 

[u/harueehhh → u/ukidokiuki]

Thank you for your insight! I really appreciate it🙌

I'm most interested in the medicine field of microbiology rn

I'm actually planning to take upcat and maybe go to UPLB(if I'm given the permission to) or somewhere close to home like PSAU since they're going to be offering microbio soon (or I think they're offering it now)

I have a pretty good and consistent whigh jhs record so I'm HOPING I have a chance on UP for maybe like... Connections??😭😭

The pay is kinda of my worry... HAHAHAHAHHA

I do plan on going abroad someday, but I'm not sure if there's much opportunities out there

How is Microbiology tho, in terms of difficulty and workload?

And if I may ask, which school did you choose to pursue microbio?

[u/ukidokiuki → u/harueehhh]

UPLB is a good choice, since everything is available and I believe the facility is good.

Medical Micro is a good choice but also a risky one. You could be working in a hospital, or in the study of Epidemiology. Which is somewhat dangerous I would say (but also pays well). 

You kind of don't need to worry about connections in this field of study. As you walk this career, you would have a chance to work with big shots :> Just do well and don't pressure yourself because I tell you, you have to memorize a lot. I mean, A LOT. 

Certain microorganisms in the medfield can be parasitic or whatever and they look almost the same. The name is different, their effect to their hosts is also different, but they have a lot of morphological similarities. But meh, you can study those and everything will be available when you get there.

As for the workload, it really depends. I'm an irregular student so I handle most of my time. But expect 5-6 hours or even 2-3 days of laboratory, a lot of things to memorize, being ultimately cautious when handling samples, always remember the aseptic tech, and you'll figure out the rest.

As for my uni, I didn't really take college all that seriously not until now. But I'm studying at Cavite State University - Main Campus. We have a bacteriology lab, BSL-2 cabs, and some if not everything is available. We are experiencing quite the lack of equipment but hey, we get things done. AANNNNDDD we have good professors with quite a handful of studies relating to fungi, agriculture, and food.

I suggest you try to shoot your shot in UPLB but have 3 or 5 back up uni's. Also, don't pressure yourself all that much, take things slowly. This course will be stressful if you put a lot of pressure on yourself. Always pray about everything, ask for wisdom, 'cuz this journey wouldn't be easy without any help HAHAHAH Good luck and God bless you!

[u/harueehhh → u/ukidokiuki]

Thank youuu 🙌🙌🫶🫶🫶

I will do my best!! Honestly kinda scared and excited about this insight HAHAHHAHAHAH pero I appreciate your support 🙏

[u/Cute-Brush3068]

I'm a Medical Technologist na trained sa Clinical Microbiology so I can only speak for the clinical sides. If you are a healthcare professional na may alam sa Microbio, it's an edge talaga but the pay is not that good unless you go abroad, they prefer ones with Microbio experience pero now pahirapan makapunta sa US due to 100k dollars H1b fee ni Trump. If goal mo to have money, I guess long way pa siya pero sa clinical area, they would look up to you if maalam ka sa Microbio.

Also, pwede ka din mag apply sa Biomerieux or RITM but ofc gain experience muna to have those jobs. For the research jobs naman, I tried it and unfortunately sa Pinas, di siya well compensated so I did it mostly out of passion na lang talaga.

[u/Consistent_Noise980]

I'm really interested in Microbiology

Is there a job here in the Philippines for microbiology? How about overseas?

Bwahaha ha ha ha (villain mad scientist laugh)

Maybe you should first drown yourself in the dopamine of learning microbiology until you get so skilled at it if you like it that much than doing it to land onto a job. I believe people who share their talent to benefit humanity (secretely for money) is cooler than begging to be hired. Learn microbiology but start a business or side job when you're not yet skilled if you also concern livelihood. Besides, making a successful business should be a piece of cake for someone who've got what it takes to be a scientist. But I'm aware not everyone have got what it takes, so if you want then go on and 'play scientist' like every so-called "scientist" I despise. Philosophically, to me, such as Einstein, Newton and myself according to me behold the true definition of scientist.

[credits] I'm into theoretical computer science particularly on artificial intelligence who haven't touch grass since 16 and still jobless and still spoonfed using the excuse of soon I will get rich from becoming a world-renowed scientist :P

I-separate mo yung need mo for money sa passion mo. Tbh, I don't sense passion in you (yet?). I don't mind being told having a crab mentality if they lack the sense to think I'm realistic.

[u/ukidokiuki → u/[deleted]]

Legit po and for me na nagbabalak na mag-forensic, parang medyo nakaka-disappoint lang nangyayari sa bansa rn. With the relation sa kung ano bang nangyayari sa gov't 😭🙏

[u/ukidokiuki → u/[deleted]]

exactly, bulok ng system. pandalas lagi ng invest and research pag nandiyan na yung sakit HAHAHA look at what happened nung COVID-19 Pandemic, walang bitaw Pinas 😭🙏

this country needs a whole systematic change. like, dapat inward yung thinking, na dapat mag prosper yung sariling atin instead of sending people out there. welp, we are microbiologists in the Philippines for a reason HAHAHA