Where are you located? A lot of places now have community biology labs in makerspaces that are doing really fun things. Start here: https://wiki.hackerspaces.org/Hackerspaces
Not all of the places on that list will have biology labs, but some will! It's a good way to get some experience at the bench without going the degree route.
Not all of the places on that list will have biology labs, but some will! It's a good way to get some experience at the bench without going the degree route.