Career Opportunities for Majors in Biotechnology

Introduction

The field of biotechnology has emerged as a major contributor to the advancement of agriculture, medicine, and environmental sciences. The biotechnology industry is one of the newest and most promising commercial segments in the nation. The industry's primary goal is to invent new biologically active substances for the treatment of disease and the management of agriculture. Recent developments in biotechnology, particularly molecular biology, promise major improvements in agricultural productivity, breakthroughs in human health care, and new solutions to environmental problems. Biotechnology also focuses on the role of genetics and how they will shape the future of medicine, health care and food production.

While most graduates work in a related occupations and eventually obtain an advanced degree, others choose another direction. Many careers do not require a specific major but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of your career choices, increase your marketability to employers through internships, responsible work experience, good grades and involvement in college activities.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Biochemist	Horticulturist	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Biophysicist	Hospital Administrator	Pharmacologist
Biostatistician	Industrial Hygienist	Physical Therapist
Biotechnologist	Laboratory Technician	Public Health Specialist
Business Development Manager	Marketing Representative	Quality Control Specialist
Crop Physiologist	Medical Doctor	Research Assistant
Ecologist	Medical Technician	Research Scientist
Engineer	Microbiologist	Scientific Librarian
Environmental Health Educator	Natural Resources Manager	Technical Writer
Environ. Impact Analyst	Naturalist	Wildlife Biologist
Geneticist	Patent Specialist

Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Biotechnology Firms	Environ. Consulting Firms	Research Foundations
Chemical Manufacturers	Health Care Producers	Scientific Journals
Clinics	Health Maintenance Organizations	Soap/Cosmetics Companies
Computer Firms	Hospitals	Testing Labs
Crime Labs	Pharmaceutical Companies
Educational Institutions	Research and Development Labs

Government Agencies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	National Cancer Institute	Peace Corps/Americorps
Department of Agriculture	National Institutes of Health	Public Health Service
Environmental Protection Agency	National Park Service	U.S. Forest Service
Fish & Wildlife Service	National Science Foundation	Water Resource Council
Food & Drug Administration	NJ State Dept. of Health
Land Use Planning Commission	Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

Jobs of Recent and Experienced Alumni
Assistant Coordinator, National Institutes of Health	Post Doctoral Appointment, U-Mass. Medical (PhD)
Biochemist, Schering-Plough (MS)	Professor, North Carolina State Univ. (PhD)
Biosurgicals Co-op, Ethicon Inc a Johnson & Johnson Company (MS)	Program Examiner, U.S. Office of Management & Budget (MS, MBA)
Clinical Affairs Associate, Enzo Biochem	Research Associate, Weinberg Consulting Group
Clinical Trial Manager, BioVex (MS)	Research Associate, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
Consultant, ID Business Solutions	Research Coordinator, Mount Sinai Medical Center
Environmental Consultant, Earth Tech (MS)	Research Technician, The Research Foundation, SONYA
Formulation Technician, ImClone Systems	Research Technician, Thomas Jefferson Univ.
Lab Manager, Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center	Sales Associate, Target
Lab Technician/Network Administrator, Exponential Biotherapies, Inc.	Senior Lab Technician, UMDNJ
Manager Marketplace Innovation, Johnson & Johnson (MBA)	Senior Research Technician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Molecular Virologist, St. Michael's Medical Center	Senior Scientist, Mendel Biotechnology
Patent Examiner, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Graduate Schools Attended

Columbia University, MS, Bioresource Engineering	Mass General Institute of Health, MS, Health Science
Columbia University, MS, Biotechnology	Princeton University, PhD, Molecular Biology
Cornell University, MS, Microbiology	Queens College-CUNY, MS, Biological Sciences
Johns Hopkins University, MS, Biotechnology	University of Maryland, MS, Public Policy
Lehigh University, MS, Biotechnology	University of Maryland, MBA, Admin./Commerce/Mgmt.

Additionally, you may:

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.

Still Have Questions? Ask a Career Counselor.