Biotechnology careers are widely in demand. Businesses in many industries are adding positions for those trained in biotechnology and related fields. There are biotech positions in healthcare, food safety and the pharmaceutical industry.

To qualify for jobs in biotechnology, you need an education in biology, technology and chemistry, as well as specific skills for the particular industry you want to work in. Most jobs in biotech require years of education and training and an advanced college degree, but there are also other resources for training in biotech jobs. These sources include continuing education and training for specialized skills. Basic biotech training includes:

1. A four-year degree program at an accredited college.

2. Additional research training in a graduate program.

3. Continuing education offered by government or industry organizations.

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Find an undergraduate program that will train you for biotech employment

Before you get a biotechnology job, you must first get a degree from a four-year program. An undergraduate education is often just the beginning for those pursuing a career in biotechnology. But many undergraduate programs let students elect a biotech concentration.

I recommend: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers information on the education, training and job opportunities for biotech engineers. North Dakota State University offers a biotechnology degree that focuses on the math and science aspects of biotech to prepare students for more advanced work. The University of Maryland offers an undergraduate program in biotechnology that includes many elective choices.

Enroll in a graduate program to prepare for biotechnology employment

There are a certain number of entry-level biotech positions available for those who earn a bachelor's degree. But to really advance in your career, choose a comprehensive master's or doctoral program to develop your skills. A master's program allows students to choose a concentration and train for a career in medicine, pharmaceuticals and other industries.

I recommend: The University of California, Irvine provides a graduate program in biotechnology with five major areas of concentration, including stem cell research and gene structure. The University of Virgina offers a doctoral program in biotechnology.

Enroll in continuing education opportunities to further your biotech career

Once a biotech engineer has entered the professional world, they must keep their skills sharp and stay up to date on the latest industry technology. This is why many biotechnology organizations and universities offer continuing education (CE) courses. Some CE courses are required for people in biotech careers who hold specific licenses or certificates.

I recommend: The biotechnology program at UC Davis offers many short courses that teach specific techniques for a variety of biotechnology topics. The San Diego Biotechnology Education Consortium offers many continuing education courses, including those that teach lab skills, clinical trial development and leadership in the workplace. North Carolina State University offers a graduate certificate program for those who have begun their career in biotechnology and want to further their skills with hands-on laboratory training.

For those with a scientific background, biotechnology careers are a great way to earn money while doing what you love. When you have the skills needed for biotech employment, you are often able to find a job anywhere in the country.

As the biotech industry expands, more and more people are able to secure jobs in biotech. With careers in biotechnology, you may work for the government, for a private company or even an educational institution. The possibilities are endless.

If you are interested in biotechnology jobs:

1. Make sure you get the proper education. Most jobs in biotechnology will require a four-year degree from college, and may even prefer those with higher degrees.

2. Have a professional resume writer look over your resume to tailor it to the industry. If possible, try to find someone who has experience writing resumes that have gotten people jobs in biotech.

3. Get as much lab experience as possible. This is often a key to gaining biotech employment. If you are a student, you may even want to consider an unpaid summer internship to help with experience.

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Attend biotech recruitment fairs to find the perfect company

Biotech companies are often looking for talented scientists to join their teams. They hold recruitment fairs to attract employees.

I recommend: The Bio Career Fair occurs every year and can help you find the right job for you. JobExpo lists job fairs in a variety of industries, including the biotech industry, by state.

Use a biotech staffing agency to help connect you with potential employers

You may find it's easier to find a suitable company when you use a recruiting agency. Agents have many connections in the biotech industry and will help you find the right position. Clark Executive Search, Inc. also helps place people in the biotech industry.

I recommend: Bench International is a leader when it comes to finding candidates positions in the biotechnology sector. Clark Executive Search, Inc. also helps place people in the biotech industry.

Consider biotech positions that allow you to teach others your skills

If you like inspiring young people, you may want to look for a teaching position at the college level. This is an ideal job for those who have a talent for science and are sociable. With luck, you'll be able to have summers off.

I recommend: Academic Careers Online allows you to search their database of education positions for a job teaching biotechnology at the college level. HigherEdJobs.com is another leader in placing faculty at colleges and universities. You may also want to check the websites of any colleges in your area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most biotech jobs require at least a four-year degree from a college or university. A higher degree will help you to get a better position.
• •  Some states, such as California and Massachusetts, tend to have more jobs in the biotech industry than others. It's a good idea to live in a state that offers many positions.

Roughly 1,000 companies with close to $50 billion in annual revenue make up the U.S. biotechnology industry. To work for a large company like Biogen, a smaller company or start your own business, examine all the career options available in this booming industry. The key to getting a feel for what's available is first understanding what biotechnology is and then discovering what all the different job titles actually mean. This guide scratches the surface by hitting on jobs like biostatistician, biochemical development engineer, medical writer and biotechnology assay analyst.

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Biotechnology

When referring to biotechnology, you're generally talking about using living microorganisms or other biological substances to perform some specific industrial or manufacturing process. Applications include food, drink and medicine.

I recommend: For a great biotechnology primer that includes history, process, applications and implications, read the document from the Department of Food Science at North Carolina State University.

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians are researchers who study the frequency and distribution of diseases and other health problems via math and statistics. They apply statistical methods to scientific research in medicine, epidemiology and other health-related fields. In a life devoted to research and studies, biostatisticians help prepare research material for publication, formulate scientific questions to be answered, develop sampling techniques, coordinate procedures for data collection and conduct statistical analyses.

I recommend: Learn more about a biostatistician's career from the Stanford School of Medicine.

Biochemical development engineer

Biochemical development engineers play a critical role in the development of new products all the way from the laboratory to the manufacturing plant. They troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and systems issues; help with new manufacturing facilities, equipment design and startup; establish operating equipment specifications; and help improve manufacturing techniques. At a minimum, biochemical development engineers have earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

I recommend: View a more detailed job description for a biochemical development engineer and other jobs in a biotech manufacturing and production environment at Career Voyages.

Medical writer

Within the biotechnology area, medical writers face plentiful job opportunities. They write for regulators, health professionals, investors and the general public. They assist doctors with research articles and medical reviews, prepare documents used in requesting FDA new drug approval, develop educational and promotional materials and much more. Medical writers with an advanced degree can make close to $100,000 annually.

I recommend: Get your foot in the door by joining the American Medical Writers Association and gaining access to important networking, training and career opportunities.

Biotechnology assay analyst

Assay means to test or analyze. A biotechnology assay analyst examines and tests cell samples or tissue samples in an effort to identify the nature, proportion or purity of each sample. An assay analyst doesn't necessarily need a college degree to get an entry-level job, but he or she should possess solid math, analytical, scientific, computer, writing, research, investigative, organization and oral communication skills.

I recommend: Put assay analyst skills in perspective by checking out the laboratory exercise from the Biotechnology Project at the Madison Area Technical College.

Bioinformatician

Bioinformatics, one aspect of biotechnology, is the field of science that involves gathering, analyzing and interpreting massive amounts of biotech information. Bioinformaticians develop IT tools and apply existing tools to gain new insight into molecular biology.

I recommend: If the idea of submersing yourself in tons of scientific data sounds exciting, gain more insight into the world of bioinformatics and the Bioinformatics graduate program at the University of Michigan Medical School.