Trying to find an internship or literally anything entry level clinical work and I haven’t had much luck
Just as the title states, I’m a senior studying neuroscience and public health. I have experience working as a clinical data managing intern and I’m currently working as a phlebotomist/lab tech. I’m graduating next year and I’m a super senior because I stupidly decided to add on my public health major thinking my neuroscience degree wasn’t relevant. I’m regretful now, because I’m realizing I could’ve made do with the experience I currently have and just gotten a job instead of sticking myself in school longer. But maybe the coursework will be worth it. I’ve applied to tons of internships, I’m getting interviews. I’ve gotten about 5-6 since November 2025, but nothing is sticking.
I used to be pretty confident in my interview skills. I applied to a position that was pretty similar to my
last internship and the whole time the guy was like
“you already have experience in this, so I’m not going to ask you that” and he was right. But I was too chicken to admit that I really liked what I was doing and didn’t mind getting more experience in the same role at a different company. Of course, I got rejected. So I’m not sure what exactly I’m doing to put these people off. I think I know deep down it’d be better for me to not take a position and have some else experience that type of position. But they paid 30 an hour😫 I was greedy😔
I just feel a bit hopeless right now. The job market is trash. One of the talent acquisition people I spoke to told me there were 700 applicants for the position. And the decided to move forward with less than a dozen. I was supposed to hear back from them beginning March and I’m here checking the candidates home page waiting on rejection since I don’t think they’ve officially sent out rejection letters.
It leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I’m not sure why these companies do that. The first company I interviewed with literally interviewed a bunch of applicants in December and less than a week later told us that the position was entirely removed…
I interviewed with another company in February and they completely ghosted me. Interviewer corrected me at the end of the interview after I said “Thank you for your time, I appreciate the opportunity, and I hope to hear from you soon.” She goes “Oh, you’ll definitely hear from us”😭 It’s been about 8 weeks since and this is supposed to be a summer internship. While the pay was good, and it was a remote position with an active internship program for the summer, they were going to require students to do a data report analysis and have us present it to the data department. I’m lowkey glad that didn’t work out, as if school isn’t already kicking my ass. Just what I need, a several hour long project to present to a bunch of randos during peak academic season💀
Welp, Im not sure on the timeline, but I don’t think I’m hearing back. They also are familiar with the old company I used to work at and because it’s a medical device company, I guess they run in similar circles? But I ended my last internship on a good note?? My old boss gave me a handwritten letter and asked me to put her done as a reference where ever.
I know the job market is crap. I just feel super stagnant. My current lab job is “patient” facing. I work at a plasma center, it’s a busy one. The economy is trash and everyone wants to get paid. We do the work of 5 different job descriptions, but our pay doesn’t reflect it. The benefits are decent and this is the first time I’ve had health insurance in 4 years. I’ve been telling myself that this is just a temporary job, but I’ve been here the last 1.5 years. Like time is moving forward, and my feet are planted into the ground, not budging and just watching the world and everyone go by. The job is safe and they’re so desperate, the turnover is high, so job security I guess. And I am grateful, but is it wrong to want better for yourself?
What can I do to fix this feeling? What can I change? I know clinical work has taken a big hit, but I’ve been applying to clinical operation internship, data analytics, data science, biostats, public health and population care, research positions, better paying lab tech jobs. I’m not sure what else to do. I know the job market is crap and I will hang onto this crap job for dear life, but how can I improve my chances of getting out?
I’ve been considering graduate school. But I’m genuinely so burnt out. I’ve worked 2 jobs the entirety of my academic career. Since 16 honestly and I’m 22 now. I haven’t even been on the earth that long. I don’t mind working the rest of my life. It’s all I have ever know. But being able to work 1 steady job that pays well, that has all my benefits, and lets me take days off as needed is all I need. I just need to slug by in life. Clearly everyone does, and we’re all fighting for our lives for corporations that couldn’t care less about us💀