Considering a career in life sciences is a smart move for anyone who enjoys high levels of job satisfaction, practically endless opportunities, and competitive pay. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking for a new passion, going into the life sciences is a smart move. Life science recruiters are currently looking for qualified candidates to work as industrial pharmacists, clinical research associates, biochemists, and more.
It Begins with Education
Life scientists study the physiology, anatomy, and biochemistry of all the living organisms on the earth. Their goal is to understand better how all living things interact with their environment and with each other. All careers in this field require a degree in one or more of the life sciences, including chemistry, biology, or genetics. The minimum of a bachelor’s degree is needed for many jobs, but careers in research or education may require a Master’s degree or a Ph.D.
Course subjects may include:
- Agriculture
- Anatomy
- Biophysics
- Entomology
- Forestry
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Toxicology
- Veterinary sciences
- Virology
- Zoology
Possible courses cover a wide range of interests because the life sciences offer several different specializations. Epidemiologists, microbiologists, food scientists, zoologists, and plant scientists are just some of the specialists listed under the category of life scientists.
Throughout their academic life and professional careers, life scientists conduct research either in the field or in a laboratory. Basic research refers to studying any living organism—including humans, animals, and bacteria—in order to understand it better. Applied research is research explicitly conducted to develop a treatment or product for the market.
The most difficult part about finding a job in the life sciences may be refining and defining your area of expertise.
Working as a Life Scientist
You’ve got a degree in life science, now what? Because there are so many different paths a career in life science can take, there is no one magic way to find your dream job, but there are many successful methods for job hunting in the field of science.
Volunteer
By volunteering as a research assistant or intern, you’ll gain valuable on-the-job experience. You will also make contacts in the field. You may not get hired by the firm you interned for, but the reference and experience will help you break into the scientific world.
Networking
Few people enjoy networking, but it is a necessary evil when you are a new job-seeker. It’s important to remember that networking isn’t just about meeting people; it’s about what you can do for people. If you want a job at a particular laboratory, don’t wait for a connection to introduce you. Attend a conference where a scientist from that lab is speaking and introduce yourself. Now she is part of your network!
Apply, Apply, Apply
Landing the
first jobafter earning your life science degree will be the most difficult. You should search job sites, universities, and local industries for openings. Apply to every job that appeals to you and be prepared for a lot of rejections.
Work with Life Science Recruiters
Working with a job recruiter is the easiest and quickest way to launch your career as a scientist. Recruiters are actively looking for job candidates to fill open positions. The best recruiters look past resumes to find candidates with the goals, motivation, and human touch that will best fulfill a company’s needs. A life science recruiter will have inside industry knowledge that could launch your science career.