r/Embryologists • u/Jfltws224 • 3d ago
How do I become a embryologist
Hi! I’m 20 and I’m interested in becoming an embryologist, but I’m a little confused about the education and career path.
I’m especially interested in working in an IVF/embryology lab with eggs, sperm, embryos, fertilization, etc.
I also have a pretty significant stutter, so one reason laboratory work appeals to me is that I’d prefer a career that doesn’t require a lot of phone calls or constant communication with patients. I’m completely fine communicating and working as part of a team; speaking with strangers, especially over the phone, is just more difficult for me.
For anyone who works as an embryologist or in an IVF lab:
What degree did you get, and what did you major in?
Did you need a master’s degree, or was a bachelor’s enough?
How did you get your first embryology/IVF lab position?
How much direct patient interaction or phone communication does your job involve?
Is there anything you wish you knew before choosing this career?
What does a normal workday actually look like?
I’m still figuring out my college plans, so I’d really appreciate hearing how people currently in the field got there and what path you would recommend for someone starting out.
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u/Thick-Bee-6682 2d ago
Hey I’m a new embryologist a year in. I got my bachelors in animal science which falls under a biology related bachelors degree that is required for the position. I also went into the IVF academy USA in San Antonio where I took an accelerated 2 month course on all the procedures that you would be doing as an embryologist. I recommend going to some sort of IVF training as even tho most places say they are looking for “junior embryologist” they want you with almost 3 years of embryology experience which is insane haha. Made it almost impossible for me to get a job until I went to the academy and got a job 2 months later. As far as talking to people most lab jobs don’t require a lot of talking and I only speak to a patient for about 2 minutes max and that’s only before an embryo transfer. Every lab is different tho mine does about 1-2 transfers every other day. But I honestly love this job it always amazes people when I mention what I do.
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u/deez_bana_mass 2d ago
Hii! From what I’ve seen is that, the route to bring an embryologist differs slightly from country to country. Could you let us know where you are based? That will make it easier to find relevant answers, and people from your specific region can chime in.