AREAS | EMPLOYERS | STRATEGIES |
RESEARCH | | |
- Basic
- Applied
- Medical
- Grant Writing
- Administration
| - University laboratories
- Federal government laboratories/agencies including:
- National Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- 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
| - 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.
|
TEACHING | | |
- Elementary
- Secondary
- Post-secondary
| - Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools
- Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
- Four-year institutions
- Medical schools
| - 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.
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HEALTHCARE | | |
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Pharmacy
- Veterinary Medicine
- Allied Health
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
| - Hospitals
- Medical centers
- Nursing homes
- Private practice
| - 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
| - Biotechnology industry
- Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
- Publishers: textbook, magazine, newspaper, book
- Software firms
- Regulatory agencies
- Search firms
- Law firms
- Legal departments of corporations
| - 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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Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1996, Revised 2003)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer |
