Biotechnology Careers Biotechnology Careers

Objective 4.01-4.02Objective 4.01-4.02

Primary CareersPrimary Careers

Areas of concentrationAreas of concentrationHorticulture – growing fruits, veggies, Horticulture – growing fruits, veggies,

and ornamental plant.and ornamental plant.Zoology – study of animal lifeZoology – study of animal lifeMicrobiology – study of micro-organismsMicrobiology – study of micro-organismsGenetics – study of heredityGenetics – study of heredityFood Science – anything related to foodFood Science – anything related to foodEnvironmental Science - environmentEnvironmental Science - environment

CareersCareers

In 1998 biotechnology included In 1998 biotechnology included about 140,000 jobsabout 140,000 jobs

Jobs for high school graduates to Jobs for high school graduates to PhD’sPhD’s

Provides over 17,000 jobs in North Provides over 17,000 jobs in North CarolinaCarolina$850 million dollar payroll$850 million dollar payroll

Career ExamplesCareer Examples

Laboratory workLaboratory workworking on gene mapsworking on gene mapsgrowing plants from cellsgrowing plants from cellsworking with animal embryosworking with animal embryos

Experimental FarmsExperimental FarmsField jobsField jobs Industry jobsIndustry jobs

manufacturingmanufacturingregulatory affairs (FDA, USDA)regulatory affairs (FDA, USDA)salessales

Career ExamplesCareer Examples

BioremediationBioremediation The use of organisms, usually microorganisms, to The use of organisms, usually microorganisms, to

break down pollutants and toxins in soil, air, or break down pollutants and toxins in soil, air, or groundwater. groundwater.

MicrobiologistMicrobiologist Produces and monitors bacteriaProduces and monitors bacteria

cell cultures in labcell cultures in lab

Career ExamplesCareer Examples

Lab TechnicianLab Technician Responsible for handling repetitive laboratory Responsible for handling repetitive laboratory

procedures, and day to day care of procedures, and day to day care of equipment/facilities.equipment/facilities.

Requires at least a 2 yr degree, though 4 yr degrees Requires at least a 2 yr degree, though 4 yr degrees offer more opportunitiesoffer more opportunities

Laboratory ManagerLaboratory Manager Supervises activities in the lab and ensures that Supervises activities in the lab and ensures that

safety procedures are followed and research is safety procedures are followed and research is effectiveeffective

Must be good at managing resourcesMust be good at managing resourcesRequires at least a 4-year bachelors degreeRequires at least a 4-year bachelors degree

More ExamplesMore Examples Greenhouse TechnicianGreenhouse Technician

Responsible for the care of research plants in growth Responsible for the care of research plants in growth facilitiesfacilities

Regulatory AgentRegulatory Agent Responsible for the inspection of biotechnology Responsible for the inspection of biotechnology

methods and products.methods and products. Usually work for FDA, USDA, or APHIS (Animal and Usually work for FDA, USDA, or APHIS (Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service)Plant Health Inspection Service) Others included Others included

Microbiologist, Biochemist, Geneticist, Environmental Microbiologist, Biochemist, Geneticist, Environmental Engineer (handles bioremediation), Genetic Engineer, Engineer (handles bioremediation), Genetic Engineer, Agricultural Teacher, Computer Software Programmer, Agricultural Teacher, Computer Software Programmer, Medical Doctor (oncology and other research), etc.Medical Doctor (oncology and other research), etc.

Where to find Info?Where to find Info?

The North Carolina Center for The North Carolina Center for BiotechnologyBiotechnologyLists specific openings and describes Lists specific openings and describes

general fields of study in biotechnology general fields of study in biotechnology areas. areas.

Counselors/Teachers/AdvisorsCounselors/Teachers/AdvisorsOffer insight and contacts for further Offer insight and contacts for further

informationinformation

Career AreasCareer Areas

Research and DevelopmentResearch and Development Attempt to create new methods and products Attempt to create new methods and products

related to biotech for use in agricultural fieldsrelated to biotech for use in agricultural fields Spend most of their time in the lab, field, or at Spend most of their time in the lab, field, or at

a computer - MONSANTOa computer - MONSANTO Sales and MarketingSales and Marketing

Handle the promotion and sales of biotech Handle the promotion and sales of biotech productsproducts

Work in individual offices and small groups Work in individual offices and small groups with outside companies to produce materials with outside companies to produce materials and campaignsand campaigns

Career Areas (cont)Career Areas (cont)

ManagementManagementUse strategic planning to guide research Use strategic planning to guide research

topics and lead biotech companiestopics and lead biotech companiesComputer Applications and Computer Applications and

TechnologyTechnologyManage equipment/hardware and Manage equipment/hardware and

design software for use in research and design software for use in research and data analysisdata analysis

EducationEducationHigh School CoursesHigh School Courses

Basic BiologyBasic Biology ChemistryChemistry Physical Science Physical Science AgricultureAgriculture BiotechnologyBiotechnology

Post-secondaryPost-secondary BiologyBiology MicrobiologyMicrobiology GeneticsGenetics BiochemistryBiochemistry

Skills Needed for Biotech Skills Needed for Biotech CareerCareer ReadingReading

To interpret written To interpret written information, identify relevant information, identify relevant details, and learn from textdetails, and learn from text

WritingWriting Recordkeeping, creating Recordkeeping, creating

documents, and documents, and communicationcommunication

Reporter or researcherReporter or researcher

ArithmeticArithmetic Compute numbers, determine Compute numbers, determine

solution components, growth solution components, growth rates, data analysisrates, data analysis

Research assistant, lab Research assistant, lab techniciantechnician

ListeningListening Comprehend and carry out Comprehend and carry out

directives that foster good directives that foster good working relationshipsworking relationships

Good Speaking Good Speaking Relay ideas and information Relay ideas and information

to co-owners and other to co-owners and other interested partiesinterested parties

Medical doctor, lab managerMedical doctor, lab manager

ThinkingThinking Creatively develop new Creatively develop new

ideas, solve problems, and ideas, solve problems, and reason to come up with reason to come up with solutionssolutions

Skills Needed for Biotech Skills Needed for Biotech CareerCareer

InterpersonalInterpersonal Successfully work Successfully work

and functions with and functions with other employees as other employees as a teama team

TechnologyTechnology Apply functions of Apply functions of

the latest the latest technology to learn technology to learn information and information and apply systemsapply systems

ResponsibilityResponsibility Reflected in a good work Reflected in a good work

ethic, high standards of ethic, high standards of attendance, and optimism attendance, and optimism in starting and finishing in starting and finishing taskstasks

Self-esteem and Self-Self-esteem and Self-ManagementManagement Give individuals a positive Give individuals a positive

view of themselves that view of themselves that allows them to allows them to demonstrate demonstrate understanding, understanding, friendliness, adaptability, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness.empathy, and politeness.

Requirements for a CareerRequirements for a Career

Have an interest in the biological Have an interest in the biological sciencessciences

Enjoy working for long time periods Enjoy working for long time periods on challenging detail-oriented taskson challenging detail-oriented tasks

Offer room for career advancementOffer room for career advancementResearch careers usually pay more Research careers usually pay more

initially, but offer less room for initially, but offer less room for advancement.advancement.

AssignmentAssignment Research two different careers related to Research two different careers related to

biotechnologybiotechnology Find information regarding:Find information regarding:

Duties/ResponsibilitiesSalaryEducation requirementList some companies where you could get this

job.Have Fun with it.

Write a one page summary for each career Write a one page summary for each career Keep the summaries in your notesKeep the summaries in your notes

Classwork

Pg 386-387 Fill in the BlanksTrue or FalseDiscussion