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Background Requirements For A Career In Biotechnology
If you're seeking a career in biotechnology, one thing is for
certain ... the more education you have, the higher up you can
go. The fact is, no matter where you wind up working, you will
be surrounded by people with Ph.D.'s and medical degrees. It is
highly unlikely that an individual without an advanced degree
such as these will get to the top of the corporate chain.
Therefore a bachelor's degree in the life sciences is a bare
minimum. After that, it is recommended that you pursue an
advanced degree; whether it be a master's degree or higher.
Common degrees include; molecular biology, cell physiology,
biochemistry, genetics and the like.
You should plan to take as many labs in college as possible as
these will provide you with hands-on experience. Teaching as a
student-teacher is also a wise move, as is becoming a part of a
research project. It is possible to co-author a quality research
paper before you ever even graduate with a bachelor's degree.
Biotechnologists frequently gain employment for biotech
corporations. Over the last two decades, thousands of biotech
corporations have sprung up around the globe. From start-ups to
companies the size of Amgen, the choices range from pay to
research to prestige.
Employment in the biotech industry may also be sought in
academic institutes; such as universities and non-profit
organizations. These typically pay less than biotech
corporations, but may have more opportunities for independent
research.
As a biotechnologist, you will spend most of your work hours in
a laboratory. The work can be tedious and requires patience, but
many truly enjoy working with their hands. You will design and
carry out experiments and will need to keep good records.
The best biotechnologists enjoy innovation and the spirit of
helping to advance society. If you choose biotechnology as a
career, you can expect to be right on the cutting edge of
technology.
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