Not sure if this is the right sub po pero hoping that it is and masagot questions ko 🙏

I’m graduating this July in BS Biology (major in Medical Biology). I’ve been looking into potential entry-level jobs lately, and I’m really interested in becoming a Quality Assurance (QA) analyst or tech sa food manufacturing industry.

Since my background is Med Bio, wala talaga kaming tracks or specific subjects about food safety, food laws, and plant operations compared to Food Tech or Microbio grads. I noticed na almost all entry-level QA job postings prefer or look for certifications in ISO, GMP, and HACCP.

Right now, to bridge the gap, I’m taking the online course from TESDA (Intro to Food Processing NC II). Plan ko rin maghanap ng other training courses after this.

My questions are:

1. Will online certificates like TESDA actually help my resume and credentials for a food QA role, especially since Med Bio ang degree ko? O mas hahanapin pa rin ng HR 'yung paid corporate trainings for GMP/HACCP?

2. What specific foundational concepts should I study on my own na laging tinatanong sa technical interviews for food QA?

Would appreciate insights from fellow Bio grads who successfully pivoted to food manufacturing, or QA professionals here.

Salamat po! 🙏

Hello po!

I just want to ask if there's a chance to work in a corporate setting while having BS Microbiology as your undergrad?

I've heard po kasi na mas malaki sahod ng mga nasa corporate world compared to being a sole scientist.

Is there anyone with a natural science degree that now works sa corporate? if so, how was your experience?

Hello po! I’m currently choosing between UPM, UST, and DLSU biochem for undergrad, and as of now, I am waitlisted at UPM Biochem (hopefully may maiwang slot sa akin, huhu). 

A little bit about me is that I’m interested in pursuing a research career rather than medicine, but I’m still exploring my options and want to understand the real differences between these programs beyond reputation. I’m weighing the pros and cons of the three institutions, and undoubtedly, UPM is my priority because of the free tuition but I’m also considering UST and DLSU because I applied for scholarships (yet still waiting for results). 

After researching online, this is what I learned: 
- Programs under CAS (including biochem) are experiencing conflicts in their laboratory work due to a lack of equipment in the facilities. 
- UPM biochem students lean towards theoretical knowledge and graduate as book smart because of facility conflicts.
- UPM Biochem has good performance in chemist licensure exams as the top 1 of the recent CLE is from UPM Biochem.
- UPM environment in general is taxing due to pollution, lack of nature when compared to UPD and UPLB, and the prevalence of pickpockets in the area.
- Enlistment system is frustrating and may mga pagkakataon na magbeg ang students sa mga prof na kunin sila.
- Maliit lang ang UPM, so hindi na mahirap mag-move to different classes.

P.S. These may be outdated, as the Reddit posts I’ve seen are years old, kaya I want to confirm if these are still valid today.

I’d really appreciate insights from current students or graduates from the UPM Biochem program regarding:

1. Research opportunities (Does the lack of facilities affect research opportunities? How well does UPM biochem excel in terms of research in the sciences?)
2. Internship opportunities (How competitive is it? Are there internship opportunities abroad?)
3. Academics and workload (How prone is it to get burned out?)
4. Professors and mentorship (Are profs good with the subjects that they teach? Is it relatively difficult to get a good thesis adviser?)
5. Facilities (Sapat na ba ang facilities for undergrad research or do students seek labs outside UPM to complete their theses?)
6. Career options in the Philippines and abroad (Was it difficult to find a job after graduation?)
7. Student life outside academics (May time pa ba sa extracurricular life? huhu)

Additionally, how would UPM biochem compare to UST biochem? 
I’ve attended the recent biochem program orientation at UST, and this is the info I learned:

- UST Biochem is the only Level IV PACUCOA-accredited institution in the Philippines (what does this imply?)

- The program focuses on research, exposing students as early as freshman year and providing guidance from profs aligned with their research interests.

- The student population is around 90 per year, and there are only 2 block sections, so everyone knows everyone, which becomes an advantage for student visibility and consultation with profs.

- UST has partner institutions abroad, which allow students to take their internships in Japan, Taiwan, Australia, etc. (Which may be good when seeking job opportunities after grad)

- Classes are from Monday to Saturday with a possibility na may 7AM to 7PM sched and there are quizzes almost every day.

Are these also symmetric to UPM biochem, or does the system drastically differ? Especially in terms of education and research opportunities?

Masasabi ko na I’m torn between UPM and UST biochem, and DLSU is third since, from what I’ve seen online, it leans more towards business courses, so I’m not really sure kung ano ang standing ng DLSU sa sciences.

What can you say about this po? Thank you!

Hi guys, I'm a newbie chemist looking to connect with other chemists. Bale my intention is to get to know your world as a chemist in the industry you work for. Ano ginagawa nyo everyday and shit para magkaroon ako ng idea regarding that industry.

As a baguhan, I'm actually conflicted ano ba path dapat kong itake and anong klaseng chemist ba talaga gusto ko maging in the future. So please help me. I may not have a lot to offer (I am in QA) but I will apprexiate other chemists who will helo me carve my path. PLEASE I'M BEGGING YOUU

Juat reply and I will pm you and send you loads of questions. Just think of it as an interview hahaha so please help me🥺 If you want to knnow din ano ginagawa ko sa QA, ano ginagawa on a daily basis, sweldo, ano usually problems na naeencoutner, gano kaheavy ang workload ganon. I'm happy to share.

Looking for FREEZE DRYING SERVICES THAT ISSUES RECEIPT

Kailangan lang po for research. Unfortunately, hindi po kase available ang UST, DOST as of the moment.

Kahit po sana private institution. Salamat po!

hii!! got an interview recently and they told me na medyo worried sila kasi clinical yung background ko for internship :((

honestly, ito rin no. 1 worry ko ever since I started applying for jobs sa mga manufacturing companies, pero pinush ko pa rin kasi ito talaga gusto kong gawin.

meron ba rito na same situation sakin? if yes, kamusta naman? mabilis ba kayong nakapag-adjust? possible pa rin ba ma-hire kahit clinical yung exp?

about me pala is rmicro ako and the job i applied to is an analyst job sa isang food manufacturing.

TYIA

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a thesis involving endophytic bacteria isolated from brown seaweeds. My goal is to extract genomic DNA from the bacterial isolates for 16S rRNA sequencing and from the seaweeds themselves (PCR and sequencing will be outsourced).

I purchased the TIANGEN Universal DNA Purification Kit DP214, which I later realized is intended for purifying PCR products and gel-extracted DNA rather than direct genomic DNA extraction (yes i admit it's my fault, I shouldn't have bought it so hastily)

The kit contains:

• Buffer PC
• Buffer BL
• Buffer PW
• Buffer EB
• Spin columns
• Collection tubes

From what I understand, it doesn’t include cell lysis reagents, but I’m wondering whether I can still use the kit as a cleanup step after doing my own extraction.

My questions:

1. Can I use this kit to purify bacterial genomic DNA after a simple extraction method (e.g., boiling, SDS/proteinase K, or CTAB)?
2. Has anyone used a PCR cleanup kit like this to purify genomic DNA successfully?
3. Could this kit also be used as a final cleanup step after a CTAB-based DNA extraction from brown seaweed such as Sargassum?
4. Would the DNA quality likely be sufficient for outsourced PCR and Sanger sequencing?

I’d appreciate any advice before I decide whether to buy a dedicated genomic DNA extraction kit. I'd be telling my adviser about this nonetheless on Monday. Sayang kasi if hindi magagamit (kahit na kasalanan ko rin naman huhu)

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys, medyo vague yung title pero I'm a chemist who wants to resign ( I don't know about the resign yet).

For context, I passed the boards last year and got a Job this year. I'm on my 3rd month na and I'm thinking na I want to just end my proby period and look for another job. I'm in manuf as a QA Analyst. The good things here:

1. mababait yung ppl and the boss, if you want to file a leave, ang dali as kong as may sasalo ng duty mo

2. I'm already fitting in which was my first problem kasi I was motivated to leave kasi wala ako nagiging friends, wala pa din naman hanggang ngayon pero more comft na to converse with my workmates

3. Maluwag sila sa rules na as long as wala ka ginagawa pwede ka magphone kahit sa harap ng boss mo

The cons naman tho:

1. Ako lang yung chemist here, and gagamitin nila license ko to apply for CATO

2. Andami working hours, fix na yung 12 hours a day and per month mga 2-3 days lang rest day mo kasi everyday yung operation and magrrest day ka para makapalit ka ng shift

3. The offer is not really mababa pero kung alam kong ako lang chemist here, I should have asked for more.

4. Wala external trainings and yung internal training lang din is how to do the thinfs needed to be done para tuloy tuloy yung operation. As a chemist, it's interesting to see the chemistry behind this specific product pero parang not the best experience if isang prodcut lang ang focus and di pa masyado maganda lab practice

Ang main issue ko talaga is yung working hours. At first I thought na okay lang 12 hours a day bexause I don't have anything to do naman pero ang weird sa feeling na papasok ka nf 6, labas ng 6 and get about 3 hours of personal time before sleepong para magwork the next day. I hate it. Although tbh, kaha ko sya and if we're being honest, kaya ko here tumagal ng 2 years pero mas prefer ko longer rest hours and off weekends

Gusto ko sana lumipat sa lab testing para mas matuto ng better lab practice pero I'm still weighing if lilipat ba talaga ako and saan. I'm also contemplating din if I should use my license as an advantage to ask for better raise afrer prib period kasi may salaey increase pero i wonder if paano ko sya mas mapapataas since they need my license. Altho I don't want it to come off as nagmamagaling, rude and impolite.

Feeling ko din kasi, I can get my shit together if I'm given the time to process how I did. Like journal sa gabi and shit kasi right now after work, either maglalaba ako or manonood ng series. I knkw I can singit journaling namab pero I'm so tamad and I feel like given the short time I have, I don't want any work related na gawin

I'm asking for advice if I should stay longer for better track record since kaya ko naman or should I lipat na to an industry na mas swak sa preference ko. You can suggest din other industrues5I should look into or if agree kayo dun sa asking for raise, give me advice how hahaha. Thanks and if nakaabot ka here, I love you

P. S. Pls don't bash me

hello po. anyone here who became a chem tech na rmt? please. i need your help po. 🥲

allowed pa rin po ba tayo mag take ng exam? is clinical chemistry counted po as chemistry na ina-allow nila sa magtitake? 🥲 help me po. i wanna change career.

Hello, po!

I'm planning on transferring (from BSA) this upcoming acad year to either of the ff courses:

1st choice: BSChem 2nd choice: BSBioTech 3rd choice: BSABE

Ideally, Chemical Engineering yung DREAM Course ko, pero its not the best option for my current situation. So that's why I put chem as my 1st choice. However, I've been having doubts on pursuing Bschem as I feel that it lacks elements of ChemEng that attracted me to that course. Its a board degree so I feel that out of the 3, it's the safest bet.

BsBioTech feels very exciting to me too, as I learned about the course on a seminar. From that experience, I learned that my interests in pursuing ChemEng (food industry), felt more aligned to BioTech than BsChem. The reason why I hadn't put it as my 1st choice is the fact that its not a board degree in the country and therefore harder to find a job (afaik). And making this a premed course seems like a very expensive plan B if I don't find work after grad.

To those that are now professionals in the field, what do Chem/BioTech/ABE grads generally do in the working field?

What work (other than research) do BioTech grads do if they're not pursuing MD/MS?

What work do Chem grads mostly do? how much do they generally earn?

Hi we are currently doing our thesis about green synthesized nanoparticles and we need SEM imaging/analysis for characterization, and we are from Leyte and looking for student friendly rates. Can you guys suggest po?

LOOKING FOR Laboratories that offers:

- Gas Chromatography (GC) for ethanol
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for reducing sugar analysis

within Luzon (better if nasa manila/ bulacan/ cavite/ laguna)

May alam po ba kayong laboratories na nag seservice ng ganyan, at estimated price sa mga ganito? thank youu po!

So I applied to PGC Min's call for interns a few weeks ago and I got so excited at the prospect of MAYBE getting accepted that I got it in my head that I WILL get accepted. The rejection email blindsided me ngl and I had to laugh because, of course, it's a prestigious program, what did I expect?

Anywho, I'm also waiting on PGC Diliman's email for this year's BTIP. I'm not gonna get my hopes up lol. Still, I recognize that you lose all the shots you don't take, and it's still good that i applied.

Any other programs y'all suggest I can get into? Would highly appreciate it!

Hi everyone! Context lang, I’m a graduate of BS Bio & I am teaching rn. I intend to pursue an MS degree ASAP. I have a bit of experience in the lab na man from college and my previous job and have attended a few scientific conventions where I got to present my thesis once. That’s about it.

I’m thinking of taking up the MS Bio program for the incoming academic year pero gusto ko lang ma sigurado rin if worth it nga ba and if ano yung perks or pros of getting this degree. Even with my lab and research experiences, parang hindi pa kasi ako totally decided when it comes to niching down on what field under bio kukunin so bio in general na lang ulit. Also, kaya ba talagang pag sabayin to sa work?

Even though some time has passed since I graduated college, parang litong lito pa rin ako if may future ba talaga sa bio eh hahaha. Even with the experiences I have under my resume, parang halos hindi ka na mabuhay sa liit ng sweldo at sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin. I’m telling myself na magiging stepping stone to sa career ko, pero at the same time naiisip ko rin if worth it ba talaga yung MS Bio if all it will give would be a few more thousand pesos in the academe hahahaha. And where would an MS be useful outside of academe ba?

To be honest I think I just need a bit more convincing, in general decided na ako eh pero ang conflicting lang tlga if worth it ba 😂 Let me know your thoughts po! Tysm!

I posted here months ago about sa hindi pagpapasahod sa aming mga COS workers. Nagkaron ng ilang meetings noon para i-raise ang issues at sabihin na hindi makatarungan na hindi kami pasahurin dahil lang naka-wfh ang mga pipirma o hindi nila nagawa ang mga kontrata namin.

Pero p*t* inulit na naman nila, hindi na naman kami pinasahod. Ang mas malala, mas matagal kami walang sahod, tatlong linggo. Hindi delayed, as in zero, wala kaming sinahod. I cancelled my checkup para makabayad ng renta. Nagbawas ako ng pagkain para makabayad ng bills.

That’s my last straw. Nag-apply na ako last month sa mga private companies. After a series of interviews and exams, maha-hire na ako. May benefits – HMO with two dependents, 13th month pay, sick and vacation leaves. At ang masaya, 40% more ng current kong sahod at WFH pa.

Pero sa isang banda, malungkot akong iwan ang project ko. Masaya ako dito eh, mapapakinabangan yung project namin. Masaya ako sa research, masaya ako sa science work. Kaso hindi naman ako mapapakain ng saya. Hindi rin pwede ibayad sa renta. At higit sa lahat, nakakabastos sa sarili ang mag-stay sa isang agency na ang baba ng tingin sa COS, na parang hindi namin deserve ng respeto. Laging ang bagal gumalaw pag sahod naming COS ang nakasalalay. Nakakahiya naman sa kanila kahit kami ang gumagawa ng halos lahat ng outputs ng agency.

Bukod sa systemic na ang problema, problema rin mismo ang mga nakaupo sa admin. Kaya walang matinong science progress dito sa Pilipinas dahil sa inyong mga tamad na power tripper sa gobyerno! Igalang nyo naman mga COS science workers nyo!

Ito na ang huli kong science work na gagawin para gobyerno. Science for the people at the expense of COS’ basic living needs.

Goodbye, science work.

I have been an RA for almost a decade.

Started with a low pay (relatively to what newbies get now) and switched institutes.

Yes, being an RA build your skills - in lab, procurement, project management, connections, written and verbal communications, other soft skills. Yes, it trains you to be a researcher locally because you understand how the system tinkers and how certain things matter more like connections, politics, and goal alignments.

But it easily dampens and ages you. Procurement takes ages. I mean I cant imagine how others have it worse as Im already in a place where procurement is “optimal” with MIS available online, and a procurement entity that is efficient and organized, and very active. Malinis din dito, walang lagay o pampadulas, or at least thats what I know.

Funny how the procurement law was created to optimize the gains of the government but truth be told that reagents and various equipment are 100-300% more in cost than abroad since suppliers need to inflate prices for customs, handling, and very delayed government payment. Consequently, experiments get delayed because you are waiting for things to arrive or cannot continue your experiments because the consumables cannot cover for your needed replicates.

Another confounding variable to science woes is funding. We get lots of funding but hell they are delayed. You spend well, manage well, pass your deliverables on time but your funding agency doesnt give a damn how late fund transfers affects experiments. Most importantly, how it affects salaries of people. People who are overworked but paid delayed and worse, not paid at all. No benefits. Oh yes, you get premiums but that doesnt count as benefit. Your work doesnt even count as government service despite working for the government- multiple government institutions at that.

And funding continuity? Got a great program now? Your next phase starts a year or two after the previous phase ends, if youre lucky. Sometimes its 3 years or never. Need funding? You apply 2 years in advance - conceptualize, build your LIB - sometimes you get shortlisted only, sometimes you dont, sometimes you get to the council-level but dont get approved. Lots of time and effort down the drain. In the spirit of continuity for people and experiments, you have no choice but to do these.

And after all those travails, you hear stories that there is a random university with 9-digit funding! No expertise, no proper project management, no anything, just pure political capital. Yes, we need to develop the regions but we are literally wasting money if equipment lots are unused, underutilized. Heck, even attached institutions suddenly have 9 to 10 digits of random allocation and to be spent in a small time period - buying spree of equipment, reagents, consumables, only to be left to collect dust once delivered. Yet a lot of worthy researchers are left to manage meager amounts of money just because they aren’t politically connected?

I am also already bogged down by the culture of “scientific communication”. A lot of times, feature articles are so self-centered. There’s this student. There is this researcher. This university did that. It becomes showbiz and we rarely get to know the nitty gritty of the science. Yes, scientist visibility is important but it shouldnt come first over your science. I hate clout chasing.

And due to this clout chasing atmosphere, students are left to idealize a life accepted in prestigious schools, doing various internships, startups, for the sake of clout. But when you see their writting or hear them talk about their science, you would ask - is this really the quality we are producing?

I iust want to do research. Answer questions out of curiosity. Be the first to know the answer to something. Plain, naive curiosity. And at the same time, pay the bills on time, have a healthy life, be happy in a nice environment.

Will we ever have a permissive research environment locally?

I am tired. In fact, I have tried ******* myself multiple times. The ideations are back. Sadly, it feels like science is the only thing that I know how to do and enjoy to do (despite these things).

So you can bash me all you want with your counter arguments but I am just writing here to vent. This is my reality.

Happy mothers’ day everyone.

Received an email from them regarding my application TWO MONTHS AGO lol. But I was still really happy with their acknowledgement. Lord knows how much I need a job 🥹

Does anyone here know the environment and system in DLSMHSI? Should I grab the opportunity or run from it 😔🙏

Hello po I am planning to take this year’s ChemTech Boards but hindi talaga sapat ang income ko to enroll sa review centers baka may reviewers po kayo jan or practice exams.🙏🏼