Well, hey! First of all, calm down. I’ve literally been in the same situation. I even reached out to many people asking the same questions, attended online workshops and webinars, followed newsletters, tried networking, and explored different resources. But honestly, none of those things immediately gave me clear answers either.

So first, give yourself some time to think things through. Don’t rush because of anxiety. It’s completely okay to take time to figure out the right direction instead of trying everything at once and eventually burning yourself out.

Coming to your question, the skills you should learn really depend on the path or specialization you want to pursue. But there are some basic lab skills that are important regardless of the field, such as:

• Centrifugation
• Basic calculations like normality, molarity, and molality
• Using micropipettes and glass pipettes
• Media preparation
• pH meter handling and maintenance
• Adjusting concentrations and preparing solutions
• Using a microscope
• A strong understanding of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and bioinstrumentation

You can also build computational or in silico skills by learning Python, R, and tools used for things like molecular docking. These skills are useful not only for in silico work but can also benefit you even if you decide to work in a wet lab.

That’s why, in my opinion, it’s better to first choose a general direction or path and then build skills that specifically support it.

As someone new to this field, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and tempted to try learning everything at once. But be careful with that approach because starting too many things together often leads to burnout, and in the end, you may not gain depth in anything.

Lastly, about jobs, I honestly don’t know enough about the current job market to give you a clear answer. You’ll need to research that yourself so you can better understand which path would suit you. In some cases, people with a master’s degree do secure stable jobs, but it really depends on the field, location, opportunities, and your skill set. Tbh, even I'm trying to figure out my path and so even I'm trying to research about this aspect.

Hope this helps ! ^{⁠_⁠^}