Career Voyages Main Banner
You Are Here HOME > Biotechnology > Community Colleges  
High Growth Industries
Other Stuff
What's New
Other In-Demand Occupations
Careers Videos
Career Compass
Links
Document Library
InDemand Magazine
O*NET Tools and Technology
Get the Adobe Acrobat Reader
Get the Real Player Plug-In
Get the Windows Media Player Plug-In
Students Parents Career Changers Career Advisors
 
Community Colleges Community Colleges Espanol | Print Version Espanol Print Version
 
 
  Rotating Biotechnology Images - Copyright ©
 
  Biotechnology Videos
 
  Biotechnology Links
 
  Tools and Technology
 
  STEM Occupations (PDF)
 
Industry Profile IconPDF Industry Profile

Community colleges put higher education close to where you live, work, and play. There are many reasons community colleges are attractive. They have an open admissions policy and offer many courses, including courses that will help prepare you for a bright future in the biotechnology industry. Their low tuition helps keep higher education within the reach of many Americans. These factors make community college a good place to go to gain job skills.

The biotechnology industry needs qualified workers from the technician level to doctoral-level scientists, as well as other occupations that support the biotechnology industry. Education and training requirements for positions in the biotechnology industry vary greatly depending on the type of position, the size of the company, and the industry sector.

Historically, the biotechnology industry has needed intellectual talent at the master's degree and doctoral levels, but the growth of the industry has caused a shift in the types of workers needed to fill critical skill gaps. The education needed for scientific positions ranges from an Associate's Degree to a Doctoral degree, with many community colleges now offering curricula to train biotechnology technicians. Additionally, there are many other occupations within biotechnology such as: quality control, quality assurance, information technology, human resources, facilities, and infrastructure maintenance and manufacturing.

While many positions in quality control and assurance, as well as information technology, human resources, and manufacturing do require four-year degrees, a significant and growing number of positions now require two-year degrees or less. Manufacturing positions for example, require only a high school degree and training.

Many workers choose a community college when they want to upgrade their skills or to enter a new field. It is now common for a person with a college degree to attend a community college to update work skills. Community colleges are also flexible. Nearly 50 percent of their students work full time, so they offer courses at convenient times.

What Do You Want to Do Next?

Arrow Find community colleges that offer training/programs in biotechnology:

View Community Colleges in Your Area
OR  
CareerOneStop

Arrow The U.S. Department of Education has a web site, Prepare for My Future, which gives you some questions you'll want to ask. There are many schools to choose from. You can use this web site to help you choose the right school to meet your career goals.

Arrow Finally, there are different certifications available via the Certification Finder.

Whatever you decide, you are in the driver's seat!

Education and Training in Biotechnology

Apprenticeship Certifications Community Colleges 4-year Colleges Other Options
Industry Overview In-Demand Occupations

Top of Page


  
 
The White House - President George W. Bush [*]Home | About Us | Contact Us | Privacy & Security | Link To Us | Submit a Link
   Site Map | Promotional Materials | Partnerships | Freedom of Information Act
1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627); TTY 1-877-889-5627

 The U.S. government's official web portal.
cgi.HTTP_REFERER: http://careervoyages.gov/biotechnology-commcollegesws.cfm, session.displaytopsectionyesno: 1yes2 Career Voyages - Brighter Future, Better Pay, Good Jobs Link to Department of Labor Link to Department of Education