I need serious help I'm so lost I want to cry.
I am in the field of biological sciences and want to pursue research in microbial ecology. I will start trying for a PhD position this year. But I don't have any paper, have terrible cgpa nor do I have any reference/recommendations.
Thing is during Master's based on cgpa for Master's thesis I was forced to take a project I had no interest in and I'm terrible at building rapport so no potential recommendation from there.
Then I gained additional experience in the work I'm interested in but I was stationed at my Co-PI's lab for the entire duration for wet lab who doesn't like me or my work much probably because he can sense I'm not interested in his lab or immunology just that I'm trying to get it done for the sake of my project and because I have been away from my PI for a year we have no bonding, nor he knows what I'm upto so no luck to gain recommendation there as well - from both of them.
I'm at a complete loss so as to what to do with my life. I don't want to give up. Should I ask to volunteer at labs which work in my field of interest, but even then I'll gain 1 reference at most, what about the rest I need 3-4?? Does anyone have any good idea or I'll appreciate any help - even motivation, I'll be 28 yo in a few months so the clock is also ticking on me, I'll also have to think about money.