RESEARCH
Basic
Applied
Medical
Grant Writing
Administration
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- University laboratories
- Federal government laboratories/agencies including:
- National Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health
- FDA
- EPA
- Department of Agriculture
- Armed Services
- State and local government laboratories/agencies
- Public health departments
- Hospital laboratories
- Commercial medical laboratories
- Private testing laboratories including forensics
- Independent research foundations
- Industry laboratories:
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Biotechnology firms
- Food processors
- Cosmetic manufacturers
- Chemical and petroleum industries
- Agricultural industry
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Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, or
chemistry qualifies one for laboratory technician
or research assistant positions.
Choose courses with laboratory work.
Get on the job experience in a laboratory and/or
complete a senior research project.
Complete a certificate training program, usually one year, to learn specialized laboratory techniques.
Take a course in grant writing.
Earn master's degree in biochemistry for better
positions, advancement opportunities, more
responsibility and higher pay.
Obtain Ph.D. to direct research projects and lead
research teams.
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TEACHING
Elementary
Secondary
Post-secondary
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- Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools
- Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
- Four-year institutions
- Medical schools
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Complete an accredited teacher preparation program for certification/licensure in biology and/or chemistry.
Ph.D. required for college or university teaching.
Some teaching positions in two-year institutions
may be available for those with a master's degree.
Prepare to attend graduate school by maintaining a
high grade point average and securing strong
faculty recommendations.
Serve as a tutor for high school or college students.
Learn to communicate effectively. |
HEALTHCARE
Medicine
Dentistry
Optometry
Podiatry
Pharmacy
Veterinary Medicine
Allied Health
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy |
- Hospitals
- Medical centers
- Nursing homes
- Private practice
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Plan on attending medical school or other related
graduate program.
Maintain an outstanding grade point average, particularly in the sciences.
Secure strong faculty recommendations.
Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically.
Join related student organizations. Demonstrate
leadership abilities.
Volunteer to work in a hospital or healthcare setting.
Find a summer job or internship in a hospital.
Develop a back up plan in case medical/graduate
school admission is denied.
Consider alternative but related careers such as
physician assistants.
Research all of the various fields within medicine to
determine a particular career goal. |
OTHER PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Sales/Marketing
Technical Writing
Scientific Journalism
Scientific Illustration
Regulatory Affairs
Administration/Management
Scientific/Technical Recruiting
Intellectual Property/Patent Law
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- Biotechnology industry
- Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
Publishers:
- textbook, magazine, newspaper, book
- Software firms
- Regulatory agencies
- Search firms
- Law firms
- Legal departments of corporations
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For sales positions, gain sales experience through
internships, part-time work, or summer jobs.
Take business and/or computer classes.
Become familiar with desktop publishing and other
software packages.
Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
Get experience writing for a school or local newspaper.
Obtain an MBA or Ph.D. to reach high levels of
administration.
Plan on attending law school if interested in law. |
GENERAL INFORMATION
• As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
• Participate in research programs sponsored by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
• Consider a certificate program or specialized master's program to qualify for research technician positions.
• Earn master's degree for greater variety and autonomy on the job.
• Earn a Ph.D. to work on high-level research projects, to direct research programs, to enter high levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary
institutions. Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.
• Learn to work independently and as part of ateam.
• Develop the ability to communicate clearly.
• Gain competencies in computers and mathematics.
• Read scientific journals and join related professional organizations.
• Combine an undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a degree in law, computer programming, business, education, information science, or other discipline to
expand career opportunities.
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