CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY MAJORS

If there is one question that career counselors and faculty advisors are asked more often than all
others by students seeking assistance with career planning, it is this: "What can I do with this
major?" An undergraduate student in the liberal arts and sciences is actually developing a broad
array of skills that might be applied to any number of careers, rather than developing an in-depth
expertise in just one area. Therefore, a better question to pose might be: "What skills am I
developing in my major, and how might I explore careers that would require these skills?"

Biotechnology is a new and innovative industry with innumerable career options for anyone
interested in life sciences. Biotechnology has changed the quality of life through improved
medicine, diagnostics, agriculture and waste management, to name a few. Because the field of
biotechnology is still relatively new, there is an abundance of unique opportunities to make new
discoveries and introduce useful innovations to the world.
SKILLS/ABILITIES
˜ Reviewing relevant data ˜ Testing an idea/hypothesis
˜ Data analysis ˜ Presenting/summarizing research findings
˜ Applying concepts ˜ Acute observational skills
˜ Utilizing formulas ˜ Curiosity and creativity
˜ Problem identification ˜ Precision/accuracy
˜ Gathering information ˜ Writing skills (i.e. scientific journal)
˜ Perception of patterns/structures ˜ Developing theories
˜ Technical report preparing ˜ Factor comparison
˜ Organizing/reporting data ˜ Logical thinking
˜ Defining charts/graphs ˜ Clarifying problems
˜ Informing/explaining ˜ Technical skills - NMR, IR, UV-Vis, GC
˜ Reporting mass spec, DNA sequencing,
˜ Writing technical information gel electrophoresis, etc.
˜ Data processing ˜ Attention to detail
˜ Solving quantitative problems
˜ Calculating skills
˜ Tabulating data
˜ Perception
˜ Teamwork/interpersonal skills
˜ Sampling for surveys/marketing

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Career Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572
 OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY MAJORS
:
This list is just a sampling of jobs for biotechnology majors.
RESEARCH Technical Recruiter Market Research Manager
Lab Assistant Patent Attorney Product Marketing Manager
Research Associate Director of Marketing
Postdoctoral Research Scientist REGULATORY AFFAIRS Sales Representative
Scientist Documentation Coordinator Regional Sales Manager
Associate Scientific Director Documentation Specialist National Sales Manager
Scientific Director Regulatory Affairs Specialist International Sales Manager
Project Manager Regulatory Affairs Manager Customer Service Representative
Technical Services Manager Director, Regulatory Affairs Technical Service Representative
Development Research Analyst
QUALITY CONTROL MANUFACTURING & Development Manager
QC Inspector PRODUCTION Development Director
QC Analyst Manufacturing Technician
QC Engineer Assay Analyst
Safety Specialist Manufacturing Research Associate
Safety Manager Instrument/Calibration Technician
QC Supervisor Chemical Engineer
QC Manager Process Development Scientist
QC Director Process Development Engineer
Process Development Manager
CLINICAL RESEARCH Pilot Plant Manager
Clinical Programmer Facilities Manager
Clinical Data Specialist Manufacturing Manager
Clinical Research Associate Associate Director, Manufacturing
Biostatistician Director, Manufacturing
Clinical Research Manager
Clinical Data Systems Manager INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Associate Director Assistant Librarian
Director, Clinical Research Librarian
Animal Handler Scientific Programmer Analyst
Animal Technician Scientific Systems Manager
Toxicologist Director, Scientific Info. Systems
Technical Writer

MARKETING & SALES

ADMINISTRATION Market Research Analyst

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Career Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572
 Suggestions to Enhance Your Skills
˜ Obtain internships or do research on campus over the summer. Start your Freshman year!
˜ Go to seminars both on campus or at neighboring campuses.
˜ Present research results at a scientific meeting.
˜ Apply for Collaborative Research Grants, the McNair Program, etc.
˜ Brush up on communication and teamwork skills.
˜ Help others with their projects, do research with a professor.
.
˜ Join professional organizations.
˜ Keep yourself informed with the new biotechnological innovations.
˜ Check out biotechnology on the Internet.
˜ Complete various training courses working with laboratory
equipment and procedures to enhance job skills and abilities.
˜ Work as a lab assistant or a teaching assistant .

˜ Join the tutoring program through the Academic Success Center.

˜ Join on-campus related clubs like the Biology Club.
˜ Develop work habits that are systematic, precise, and patient.
˜ Acquire a background in computer science.

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Career Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572
 RESEARCHING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
How do you find out what’s out there?

Researching careers is a time-consuming, but necessary process. Waiting until

graduation to start thinking about your career plans is as foolish as studying after
you’ve taken your final exams.

1. Written and On-line Resources:

˜ Visit Career & Counseling Services’ Career Resource Center

(located on the ground floor of East Hathorn Hall)
˜ Visit the Chalmer Davee Library
˜ Browse the Internet, such as Career & Counseling Services’ Web Page
(www.uwrf.edu/ccs)

2. People Resources:

˜ Talk with Faculty and Alumni

˜ Join Professional Organizations
˜ Conduct Occupational Interviews
˜ Use Career & Counseling Services’ “Career Information Network”
˜ Consult Employer Directories and the Yellow Pages

3. Obtain Direct Experience:

˜ Job Shadowing
˜ Volunteer or part-time work
˜ Internships are essential! Talk with your departmental faculty coordinator for internship
information.

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Career Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572
 CAREER RESOURCES FOR
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Career & Counseling Services’ Career Resource Center
(Ground Floor, East Hathorn Hall)
Career & Counseling Services’ Career Resource Center is open every day from 8:00 AM
to 4:30 PM; we are also open until 7:00 PM Thursday evenings. The following books
may be of particular interest to students majoring in Biotechnology:

˜ Opportunities for Biotechnology Majors

˜ Career Smarts: Jobs With a Future
˜ Life Science Careers
˜ Great Jobs for Biology Majors
˜ Jump Start Your Career in BioScience
˜ Careers in Science and Engineering
˜ Opportunities in Biological Science Careers
˜ Opportunities in Science Technician Careers
˜ Opportunities in Research and Development Careers
˜ Great Jobs for Chemistry Majors
˜ Farming and Agriculture Careers
˜ Careers for Nature Lovers and Other Outdoor Types
˜ Job Opportunities in the Environment
Also, Check Out These Web Links:
www.biocareer.com
www.jobscience.com
www.bioview.com
www.bio.com
www.nal.usda.gov/bic/
www.biofind.com

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Career Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572