Rutgers: Career Services (Career Opportunities for Majors in Genetics)

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Career Opportunities for Majors in Genetics

Introduction

An undergraduate major in genetics is offered by the Department of Genetics within the Division of Life Sciences. Students in this major have the opportunity to participate in research and learn how discoveries in science are made. Courses cover a wide range of topics, from molecular genetics to genomics and bacterial physiology. This course of study prepares students for careers in biological research, biotechnology, and the health professions.

Most graduating majors attend graduate or professional school (medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathic medicine, etc.) or obtain a technical position doing research in industry or in an academic institution. 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. Job opportunities are substantially enhanced for students with other marketable skills such as computers, mathematics or language. A bachelor's degree is sufficient for many technician jobs in the medical field, lab/research assistant positions, or testing jobs. An advanced degree is required for most other positions in the scientific and medical research fields.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Biochemist	Gene Therapist	Parasitologist
Bioinformatics Technician	Genetic Counselor	Patent Specialist
Biomedical Researcher	Geneticist	Pharmaceutical Researcher
Biophysicist	Genomics Researcher	Pharmaceutical Sales Rep.
Biostatistician	Hospital Administrator	Physician Assistant
Biotechnologist	Immunologist	Plant Geneticist
Botanist	Industrial Hygienist	Public Health Assistant
College Professor	Laboratory Technician	Research Assistant
Cytogeneticist	Marine Biologist	Scientific Librarian
Ecologist	Medical Doctor	Teacher
Embryologist	Medical Record Tech.	Technical Writer
Environ. Health Educ.	Medical Technician	Toxicologist
Environ. Impact Analyst	Microbiologist	Veterinarian
Food & Drug Inspector	Molecular Biologist	Zoologist
Forensics Specialist	Mycologist

Types of Employers

Private & Non-profit Organizations
Bioinformatics Centers	Forensic Labs	Public/Private Schools
Biotechnology Firms	Genome Research Centers	Research Foundations
Cell & DNA Repositories	Health Care Providers	Scientific Journals
Clinics	Hospitals	Soap/Cosmetics Companies
Colleges/Universities	Laboratories	Testing Labs
Environ. Consulting Firms	Medical Instrument Companies	Textbook Publishers
Food Manufacturers	Pharmaceutical Companies

Government Agencies
Air Pollution Control	Environ. Protection Agency	NJ State Dept. of Health
Centers for Disease Control	Federal Bureau of Investigation	OSHA
Dept. of Agriculture	Food & Drug Administration	Peace Corps/Vista
Dept. of Environ. Protection	National Institutes of Health

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

Associate, BioArray Solutions	Research Associate, Rutgers University
Lab Technician, CABM	Research Scientist, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Lab Technician, Rutgers University	Scientific Recruiter, Kelly Scientific Resources
Lab Technician, Univ. of Vermont School of Medicine	Teacher, Teach for America
Project Manager/Marketing Manager, Self Employed

Graduate Schools Attended

Cornell Univ., Weill Grad. Sch. of Medical Sciences (PhD Genetics)	Univ. of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ (PhD Neuroscience)
U. Mass., Grad. School of Biomedical Sciences (PhD Gene Expression)	Univ. of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ, NJ Medical School (MD)
Univ. of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ (MS Biomedical Sciences)	Univ. of Pennsylvania (PhD Cell & Molecular Biology)

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.


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