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Question
I have just completed an undergraduate course in biotechnology. Can you please tell me about opportunities in this field?
Answer
Biotechnology is quite a selective field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), biology-related occupations account for just over 130,000 jobs nationally, and they generally pay very well. In other words, it may take a little work to find a job, but when you do, it is likely to be rewarding.
The BLS data represents a snapshot of the recent past. But thinking ahead to the future, biotech jobs in research, production, and teaching seem poised to increase as biotechnology becomes a more prominent facet of the pharmaceutical industry. However, as competition for these jobs is stiff, you will very likely need an advanced degree in order to progress (in many cases, even entry-level biotechnology jobs prefer or require candidates with master's degrees at a minimum).
If you have trouble landing a lab or teaching job, consider an increasingly popular aspect of this booming field--business. Pharmaceutical and medical device companies need business smarts as well as scientific knowledge to succeed. There is a premium on people who can understand products like these, while also exhibiting the attributes of a good salesperson or manager. If you think the business side might work for you, follow up your college degree with an MBA in biotechnology or the life sciences.
The BLS data represents a snapshot of the recent past. But thinking ahead to the future, biotech jobs in research, production, and teaching seem poised to increase as biotechnology becomes a more prominent facet of the pharmaceutical industry. However, as competition for these jobs is stiff, you will very likely need an advanced degree in order to progress (in many cases, even entry-level biotechnology jobs prefer or require candidates with master's degrees at a minimum).
If you have trouble landing a lab or teaching job, consider an increasingly popular aspect of this booming field--business. Pharmaceutical and medical device companies need business smarts as well as scientific knowledge to succeed. There is a premium on people who can understand products like these, while also exhibiting the attributes of a good salesperson or manager. If you think the business side might work for you, follow up your college degree with an MBA in biotechnology or the life sciences.
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Richard has over 20 years of business experience in marketing, financial services, and management.
