Life sciences, technology, manufacturing - it's all a part of biotechnology. With new discoveries being made every day, there are lots of opportunities to be a part of the action.
To succeed and grow in the 21st century economy, biotechnology employers need to fill each position in their companies, from entry-level to the most advanced, with qualified, skilled individuals. Because the industry is experiencing such rapid growth, biotechnology firms often demand more skilled workers than are available and are projected to need more workers than are currently enrolled in training programs.
There are two ways to learn more about the emerging biotechnology industry. There are the different stages of the biotechnology process:
- Research and Development (R&D) - conduct groundbreaking scientific research with state-of-the-art scientific technology.
Biotech R&D Technicians take the first steps toward curing the world's deadliest diseases. They design state-of-the-art products and services to meet the needs of scientists in the worldwide biomedical research community. This dynamic career path offers opportunities in a variety of research fields.
- Quality Control and Assurance - perfect the systems and procedures of cutting-edge research and production.
Making a biotechnology product involves meeting specifications for precision and safety. Quality Assurance requires the product to meet certain standards and specifications. These are the people who ensure that products are what the labels say they are.
- Manufacturing and Production - build innovative and life-saving scientific technology.
Biomanufacturing is an essential component of today's biotech industry. A career in biomanufacturing requires creativity and innovative thinking. Biomanufacturing technicians are the experts on the development and maintenance of biotech machinery. They play an integral role in biotech research and are responsible for developing and maintaining the technology and innovative equipment that drives industry research.
Alternatively, you might want to learn about specific sub sectors of biotechnology such as:
- Agriculture - conducting genetic research that may someday help fight world hunger, agricultural bio-processing is one of the newest and most exciting fields in the biotech industry. Experts agree that the future of farming in the 21st century will be shaped by agricultural bio-processing technology.
- Bioprocessing - helping save lives, making companies more profitable, and determining the future of medicine. Bioprocessing is an interdisciplinary specialty that draws on several scientific fields including: engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, biochemistry, biology, and, of course, biotechnology.
- Bioinformatics - working with sophisticated computer equipment, analyzing biological data, and creating massive genetic databases to unlock genetic secrets. The field of biology has progressively transitioned from a bench-based skill to a computer-based science. The bioinformatics sector represents the technological future of the biotech industry.
Biotechnology is truly an opportunity to turn science fiction into science fact!
Continue reading some reasons to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
