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Published byHoratio Carter Modified over 9 years ago
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The Biotech Industry and Careers
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Why choose a career in Biotechnology? Because you can help save lives, cure diseases, help feed the hungry, help create a substitute for oil energy use and be a pioneer in green technology Biotechnology is a growing industry in the US
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What is the career outlook in biotechnology? Jobs will continue to increase exponentially Jobs are available to high school graduates through PhD’s 1400+ companies in US Currently employs 1.2 million people
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US Biotech Companies by state 1. California – 374 2. Massachusetts – 256 3. North Carolina – 81 4. Maryland – 75 5. New Jersey - 68
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Massachusetts & Biotech Mass has the second largest biotech industry in US. – 250+ companies – Over 30,000 people employed 4 of top 10 companies Most companies located in Boston area Largest sector is pharmaceuticals – Treatments for cancer & other diseases
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Top US Biotech Companies Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA Biogen Idec, Cambridge, MA Celgene, Summit, NJ Genetech, CA Genzyme, Cambridge, MA Gilead Science, CA Sepracor, Marlborough, MA
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Regulation The biotech industry is regulated by the: – U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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Biotech Industry Characteristics Research is conducted by: – small companies – large corporations – public universities. Most research is a collaboration between companies and universities.
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Biotech Industry Characteristics Funding comes from a variety of sources including both public and private sources.
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Biotech Industry Characteristics Focuses on a variety of research areas including health, medicine, food science, environmental science, & agriscience.
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10 Basic skills for a biotech career 1. Reading skills - necessary to interpret written information - identify relevant details - learn from text. 2. Writing skills - recordkeeping - creating documents - communication.
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Basic skills for a biotech career 3. Mathematic skills compute numbers determine solution components data analysis 4. Listening skills comprehend and carry out directives that foster good working relationships
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Basic skills for a biotech career 5. Good speaking skills important to relay ideas and information 6. Thinking skills enable workers to creatively develop new ideas solve problems
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Basic skills for a biotech career 7. Interpersonal skills needed to successfully work and function with other employees as a team. 8. Technology skills apply functions of the latest technology
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Basic skills for a biotech career 9. Responsibility Good work ethic High standards of attendance 10. Self-esteem and self-management skills Positive view of themselves Friendliness Ddaptability
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Specific Requirements for a Biotech Career 1. Should have an interest in the biological sciences. 2. Should enjoy working for long periods of time on challenging detail-oriented tasks. 3. Biotechnology careers offer room for career advancement…
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Career areas 1. Research & Development 2. Manufacturing & Services 3. Quality and Regulatory affairs (FDA, USDA, EPA) 4. Sales & Technical support 5. Administration & Management
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Career Areas Research and Development- – Attempt to create new methods and products related to biotechnology for use in agricultural fields. – Spend most of their time in the lab, field, or at a computer.
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Career Areas Sales & Marketing- – Handle the promotion and sales of biotechnology products. – Work in individual offices and small groups with outside companies to produce materials and campaigns.
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Career Areas Management- – Use strategic planning to guide research topics and lead biotechnology companies.
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Career Areas Computer Applications & Technology- – Manage equipment / hardware and design software for use in: research and data analysis.
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In the laboratory… Jobs might include: – Conducting plant transformation research – Growing plants from cells – working with animal embryos.
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In the laboratory… Lab Technician- – responsible for handling repetitive laboratory procedures – day to day care of equipment / facilities. Requires at least a 2-year degree, 4-year degrees offer more opportunities.
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In the laboratory… Laboratory Manger – supervises activities in the laboratory – ensures that safety procedures are followed and research is effective. Must be good at managing resources. Requires at least a 4-year bachelors degree.
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In the greenhouse… A worker might: – care for experimental plants – conduct tests on the new plants’ traits. Ex: Greenhouse Technician- responsible for the care of research plants in growth facilities.
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On an experimental farm… A worker might assist with: – animal breeding – care for animals used in research
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Inspection Regulatory Agent- responsible for the inspection of biotechnology methods and products. Usually work for government agencies – FDA, USDA, APHIS
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Other Biotech Careers… Microbiologist Biochemist, Geneticist Environmental Engineer – (handles bioremediation)
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Other jobs Forensic DNA analyst Health & Safety specialist Quality control & assurance specialists Sales representatives Research institutions University positions Pharmaceutical companies
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Assignment Find 3 Colleges/Universities that offer a program or degrees in biotech. – Name of school – Location (city, state) – Degree program(s) 2 year? 4 year? certifications – Tuition cost – Admission policy/typical student statistics – 3 courses Typed. Each College/University on a separate sheet of paper Typed. Each College/University on a separate sheet of paper
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