Non-science related source of recommendation

[tcmazer]

Hello everyone,

I plan on applying to biology phd programs this fall but I currently only have 2 recommendations, one from a lab I worked for for 3 years and have a paper with and one from a biochem professor. Would it be okay to have the third from my IT job with my University's IT department that I worked for 3 years as well?

[Chai_latte]

Maybe.  Are you interested in computational bio?  Is there any vague overlap between computers/tech and your bio interests?  One of my recommenders was a math prof.  Granted, I submitted 4 recs.  But, if I had only sent 3, she still would've made the cut.  I felt that she'd add positively to my application, and I liked having some academic diversity in my LORs.  Variety is the spice of life, right?  So what, if her course was only tangentially related.  The skills/traits that (I assume) she talked about were equally applicable to chem.

[tcmazer]

Maybe.  Are you interested in computational bio?  Is there any vague overlap between computers/tech and your bio interests?  One of my recommenders was a math prof.  Granted, I submitted 4 recs.  But, if I had only sent 3, she still would've made the cut.  I felt that she'd add positively to my application, and I liked having some academic diversity in my LORs.  Variety is the spice of life, right?  So what, if her course was only tangentially related.  The skills/traits that (I assume) she talked about were equally applicable to chem.

Unfortunately not.  My focus is on aging research, and I'm trying to get another lab position so that I can get another recommendation from faculty with a Ph. D, but that's looking difficult at the moment.

[Chai_latte]

Hmmm, then this might be a time to contact your POIs and find out (among other things) if they utilize comps. for anything.  Chances are high that they do.  Heck, even if it's just Excel.  Or, maybe they'd like to begin using a particular program, but no one in the lab has enough computer savvy and they're putting it off for the moment.  Just the other day, my advisor casually mentioned how wonderful it would be if someone in our group was good enough with computers to set up a new group site and update it regularly.  Sounds benign enough, but not one of us is super conversant with computers (beyond what we're using them for).  Point is, you NEVER know what a POI's needs might be.  When you bring potential diversity to the group, you might fill the niche that he/she needed.  I say the following: do your "due diligence" and think of adding that IT rec.  I don't normally think of bio folks as being good with math or tech (I'm stereotyping...sorry.  Don't pelt me with eggs!).  You may have carved your niche! 

If you're still unsure, ask your schools if you can submit a 4th rec.  Add a "bland, vanilla" bio course rec., if necessary.  Maybe there was a prof whose office you lived in or one who remembers you well for asking really interesting questions in class.  Throw that in for added security, BUT (IMO) don't skip over your IT background.  It makes you unique (even if the schools only let you send 3 recs).  Uniqueness can pay off.

[tcmazer]

I actually just got into contact with a professor I did research with at my institution's school of social work.  Hopefully I'll be able to get a recommendation from him as well, but thank you for the advice, I'll be sure to include the IT recommendation.