Careers in the Life Sciences

D. L. Nelson

September 2012

General Career Categories Medicine/Vet Medicine/Dentistry Research (Basic, Applied)

Science Communication

Science Education

Science and Business/Law

Science and Public Service

Science and Natural Resources Clinical and Forensic Science

Science at the Bench

• Specialist (Research Technician)

• BS or MS

• http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/pvl/ohrpv_xr_12_post.html

• $30,000-50,000

• University, Industry, Government

Medical / Paramedical• MD, DO, DVM, DDS• Physical Therapy• Vocational Therapy• Nursing• Physician’s assistant• Ultrasound technician• Sleep Clinic• http://www.wisconsinsleep.org/sleeplab.html

Clinical Chemistry or Microbiology

• Hospitals• State Hygiene Lab http://www.slh.wisc.edu/• Cytology school http://www.slh.wisc.edu/• Environmental Health section

http://www.slh.wisc.edu/ehd/• Clinical Biochemistry (a medical specialty)

Scientific Instrument Development, Sales & Service• https://www.beckmancoulter.com/HR/employment/

collegerelations/recent_graduates_scientific.htm

Genetic Counseling• UW Dept. Medical Genetics

• MS in Genetic Counseling

• http://www.med.wisc.edu/education/graduate-programs/genetic-counseling/main/26910

• Coursework in– Human genetics– Personal counseling– Research

Public Health

• UW: http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/

• Global health: http://ip.cals.wisc.edu/international-certificates/certificate-in-global-health/

• Epidemiology http://www.cdc.gov/

• http://science.education.nih.gov/

Veterinary Medicine

• UW: http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/home

• Large animal

• Small animal

• Exotics

• Bird, Swine flu

Ecology

• UW Forest and Wildlife Ecology

• http://forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu/pubs/alumni/index.html

• Limnology: inland lakes

• http://limnology.wisc.edu/

Marine Biology

• http://hopkins.stanford.edu/careers.htm

• http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/lc/kids_place/kidseq_careers.aspx

Biology and Computational Science

http://www.biostat.wisc.edu/

Science and Art:Adam Steinberg

http://adam.steinbergs.us/

Science Writing: Alisa Machalek

http://science.education.nih.gov/Lifeworks.nsf/Interviews/Alisa+Machalek

Museum Design

Non-profit Environmental Organization

John Mimikakis:

http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=17873

Forensics / Anthropology

PLOS One 4(3), e4838 (2009)

Combining Science and Law

Robyn PerrinRegistered Patent Agent at Casimir Jones, S.C.Freelance writer and editor

Law, business and Biotech

• UW: http://www.ms-biotech.wisc.edu/

What to do now

• Explore (career days, books, non-research meetings, campus clubs)

• Network (business cards, events, internships, listservs)

• Gather case studies (ask people how they got where they are, and what they like/dislike about it)