During prehistoric times, biotechnologists use yeast cells to ferment alcoholic beverages or raise bread dough, make yogurt and cheeses, and animals are bred to make them stronger and productive. We learned about different organisms and our increased understanding enabled us to control the functions of various cells and organisms. Today we use DNA technology and gene splicing to combine elements of the cells in order to produce human molecules and cows to produce milk.
Biotech careers are controversial because much of their work is involved in the manipulation of DNA to be able to produce commercial products from living organisms. They also work closely with professionals having a background in nanotechnology in the field of research and development, biochemist, genetic engineering, biological energy, pharmaceutical and even law enforcement and forensics. If you love science, biotechnology jobs are right for you. If you want to succeed in biotech jobs follow these steps:
- Learn the main categories and the various specialties of biotechnology applications in medicine, bioinformatics, industry, and agriculture which include modifications such as fermentation.
- Try to investigate biotechnology industrial applications including the use of organic means to improve the environment and soil quality.
- Check the biotechnology medical category because it is the most popular broad spectrum application used by pharmaceutical, genetic and biomedical researchers.
- Realize that bioinformatics category is the combination of biology with computer science so that scientists can improve their ability to analyze biological data and find solutions to problems.
- While in college try to achieve a B average and take lab classes in chemistry and biology as well as an internship in a biotech company. Some of the best places to work as an intern include REU or NIH because this will look good in your resume when you apply at biotech companies in the future.
- You can maximize your chance of getting a permanent position in the biotech field by networking and going to career fairs but if you have no experience apply for a temporary position to get 1-2 years work experience.
- Be enthusiastic and smart as this will give you the better chance of getting a job. Just remember that you have to start at the bottom so that you can work your way up once you get your foot in the door.
- If you’re already working in biotech and want to become a manager and work in manufacturing, quality or operations, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient but if you want to move up to research and development then you need a PhD.
- If you want to pursue a biology or chemistry position you need a background in DNA isolation, chromatography, mass spectrometry, PCR, molecular biology techniques, and RNA.
- As chemical engineering work is plentiful in biotech, if you are a chemical engineer, you can work in upstream culture which is about bacterial cell culture or upstream purification dealing with classic chemical engineering.
- Join biotech areas like quality compliance, microbiology, quality assurance, chemistry, supply chain or even manufacturing and control.
- You also have to learn software such as Minitab, JMP or Design Expert and do more work with Excel, as well as use a notebook and learn about Good Laboratory Practice and Good Manufacturing Practice.
- Determine the job field that you find interesting and get trained or do volunteer work in hospitals if you live near the area and visit a Biotech human resources department if you want to apply for this job.
- Network with your contact or ask you the company where you have interned whether they have job openings in biotechnology.
