I was rejected from 200 jobs and couldn't even get work experience - I have a PhD

I was rejected from 200 jobs and couldn't even get work experience - I have a PhDSarah is highly educated but spent 16 months applying for more than 200 jobs and has a large amount of student debtCommentsNewsRobert Rowlands Deputy editor, money and lifestyle, content hub13:53, 07 Apr 2026Updated 14:06, 07 Apr 2026View 6 ImagesSarah Dallas(Image: SWNS)A highly educated woman with a PhD spent 16 months submitting more than 200 applications and kept getting rejected - even from work experience. It left her in limbo despite a stellar academic career - and now she is saddled with tens of thousands of student debt.‌Sarah Dallas, 32, completed her PhD in bio-engineering at the University of Edinburgh in July 2024, having already earned her master's in the same field and achieved a 2:1 in her undergraduate degree in animal sciences. She initially hoped to pursue a career in academia before shifting her focus to becoming a scientist.‌She says she was assured throughout her studies - which have now left her with £75,810 in student debt after borrowing £47,787 - that she was "on the correct pathway." However, despite her impressive qualifications, Sarah grew "frustrated" after facing repeated rejections.‌View 6 ImagesOver 16 months following her graduation, she submitted more than 200 job applications for "various" positions - ranging from entry-level to senior specialist roles - and claims 90 per cent of employers "never bothered" to respond. When she did receive feedback, she was told she was "overqualified" for junior positions, yet "lacked the industry experience" needed for more senior roles - forcing her to depend on part-time freelance work for income.In November 2025, Sarah eventually secured an entry-level lab technician position paying £28,500 annually - while maintaining her freelance shifts to "make ends meet" - as the salary is "not enough" to cover her living expenses. Sarah...