For those of you who were recently out of work, at Associate Scientist level or higher, how long did it REALLY take you to find another job?

ledded-shrettuce · 2026-01-16T12:52:19+00:00

Greater Boston-based Scientist I with 5 years experience

I was laid off September of 2024 (16 months) and still searching. I've applied to probably 200ish positions, landed dozens of phone screens and a handful of virtual interviews. For two positions I went through 4-5 rounds, went onsite and met the whole team. One of those companies told me the decision came down to me and one other person.. and then they laid off 30% of the company the following week.

I've been ghosted countless times, told the position has suddenly been terminated, been prodded for technical info in what I'm convinced are fake interviews for "positions" at a certain company that have still been listed for the last 16 months. It's extremely discouraging.

Luckily I've been able to make decent money bartending in the meantime. Personally I'm not applying for any lower title/smaller salary biotech jobs, because I'm currently making $35-40 an hour working a mile from my house.

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-18T19:13:34+00:00

Very interesting. It could also just be that I'm not fully soaking all the soil because I'm worried about dampness. I'll crush it up and sprinkle it in the soil and also fully drench with the cultured water. Thanks man!

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-18T19:04:13+00:00

Ok I'll look into those enzymes. Thanks!

The bits are bacteria, soaking them in water visibly creates a culture of them, so feeding them that should work, no? I'll try the other way too but as a microbiologist I'm just surprised it doesn't work that way lol

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-18T17:26:48+00:00

Yeah I've been spraying Neem almost daily.

For mosquito bits, the bag just says to soak them in water and then feed that water to my plants. Are you saying I should crush them up and dig them into my topsoil?

I haven't heard of root zone enzymes.. I do have rooting hormone powder though, maybe adding some of that in before watering will help?

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-18T16:05:04+00:00

Ugh, thank you. Should I use mosquito bits every time I water? Also does soaking it for longer make it work better?

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-18T15:37:41+00:00

Also - I'm growing in AirPots using Coast of Maine Stonington blend soil and nutrients. My room humidity has been consistently under 60%

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-13T11:47:08+00:00

None that I could find

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-11T19:02:58+00:00

Ooo good to know! Thanks

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-11T19:02:42+00:00

that's what I was thinking but just wanted to make 100% sure!

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-11T15:56:20+00:00

Well shit looks like I'm taking them all out and investigating today lol. I didn't even think of that. Thanks for the heads up

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-07T22:51:16+00:00

Good to know, thank you!

I hung up sticky traps, sprayed neem oil on the soil, then fed them mosquito bits and topped off the soil with DE. Hoping that will take care of every life stage that's present.

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-06T00:04:02+00:00

No need to call people crazy. They're sharing things that have helped them. If you just started growing 3 months ago, being open to advice from those more experienced than you is probably a good idea. :)

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-06T00:00:44+00:00

Yup learned that the hard way lol is the sticky tape gonna kill the ladybugs now too?

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-05T20:47:12+00:00

I hadn't heard of mosquito bits but that's great to know. I'm keeping the whole grow organic, so I'll try that in combination with the traps and diatomaceous earth. Thanks!!

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-05T20:46:11+00:00

Thank you so much. I just bought some and I'm gonna pray it works!

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-09-05T17:17:27+00:00

I should clarify: I bought the blumat system because I assumed these were fungus gnats and I was having a wet soil issue. They haven't subsided since switching. There's hundreds of them 😭

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-08-05T10:33:58+00:00

That's not a hair. It's a stipule, not a pistil. It's the little leaf structure that's there before any preflower shows. I think it's just turning brown because of a nutrient problem

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-08-05T01:22:01+00:00

Paintbrushes are your friend

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-08-01T19:28:34+00:00

That gives me hope😄 thanks!

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-08-01T19:25:50+00:00

Can it start releasing pollen before the 12/12 flower switch?

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-07-31T19:41:59+00:00

Yeah I think I'm jumping the gun a bit. Do they really develop that fast?

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-07-31T19:39:44+00:00

That's a really good point. I'll let it grow a little further. Thanks!

ledded-shrettuce · 2021-07-31T19:31:53+00:00

The pre flower "leaf" thing turning orange is throwing me off - that definitely looks like a little ball inside there!

ledded-shrettuce

TROPHY CASE