Careers in Microbiology
Career Resources on Campus
for Student and Alumni
Interested in microbiology but not sure where to start looking for information
about career opportunities in the field? Check out the UGA Career Center
in Clark Howell Hall for information on career opportunities, job searches, internships,
and job search skills. One of the services provided by the Career Center is DawgTRAK,
an online job/internship posting and campus recruiting system. Contact the Career
Center for more information about DawgTRAK and other sources they provide.
If you would like to arrange an appointment to speak with someone about careers
in microbiology and related fields, call the UGA Career Center at 542-3375.
What does a microbiologist do?
Microbiologists study the world of organisms that are too small to be seen
with the naked eye. Some of these microorganisms are infectious agents
to humans, animals, or plants. Many of these microorganisms, however, carry
out important functions in their niches that are essential for all life
on earth. Microbiologists study the interaction of microorganisms with
people and how they affect our lives, as well as the roles these organisms
play in the environment. Microbiologists work in hospitals, universities,
medical schools, government laboratories, and almost every industry, specializing
in a variety of areas, from agriculture to the space industry.
What kinds of career opportunities exist
for microbiologists?
The career opportunities to choose
from as a microbiologist will depend on the level of education
and training you receive. A baccalaureate degree in microbiology
will help you qualify for many technical, research, and clinical
positions.
Some of these positions
include:
Research assistant. These people provide
technical support to conduct research working in a team with
other scientists and a research director. They may work in an
industrial, government, university, or medical school lab.
Food, industrial or environmental microbiologists,
quality assurance technologists. Working in industry,
hospitals, or the government, these individuals check for
the quality and safety of vitamins, vaccines, antibiotics,
and antiseptics. They also identify harmful microorganisms
in water, food, dairy, pharmaceutical and environmental products.
Sales or technical representative. These
people provide information about pharmaceuticals and other
medical or scientific products to prospective customers.
Clinical and veterinary microbiologists,
medical technologists. These individuals generally
work in veterinary clinics or hospitals to identify disease
causing microorganisms in humans and animals.
In addition to these laboratory and technical
jobs, there are several other career paths one can take with
Bachelors degree in microbiology. Combining microbiology with
another discipline, such as education, business, or journalism,
provides an even wider range of career options. Such career
options would include teaching in high school, scientific sales,
science writing for the general public, public relations, or
regulatory affairs. Completing a Bachelors degree in microbiology
also provides the necessary foundation to continue an education
in the medical, veterinary, dental or legal fields.
An advanced degree in microbiology will broaden
your career choices even further. A Masters degree would qualify
you for a career as a laboratory supervisor or an instructor
at a community or junior college. A doctoral degree (or its
equivalent) is almost always required for higher level positions
in microbiology and other sciences. With a Ph.D. in Microbiology,
you could be qualified to perform independent research, teach
undergraduate and graduate students, or assume executive level
responsibilities in government and industry.
More information about career opportunities
in microbiology can be found at the web sites listed below.
> http://www.microbe.org/careers/careers.asp
> http://www.socgenmicrobiol.org.uk/
>
http://oceanlink.island.net/career/career2.html
> http://www.saludos.com/fields/biotech.html
> http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos047.htm
>
http://www.curenet.org/
> http://www.collegeboard.com/apps/careers/majors/0,1465,15-104,00.html
>
http://www.microbiologycareers.org/
>
http://www.biocareers.org.uk/micro.html
>
http://www.asm.org/Education/index.asp?bid=1272
>
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072556781/student_view0/careers_in_microbiology.html
>
http://www.asm.org/Education/index.asp?bid=4327
>
http://www.simhq.org/careers/career_information.aspx
