PREPARING FOR JOBS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Employers have stated that there are many skills and abilities that they look for in entry-level workers. Some of these include the following:

-- Ability to work as a team member.

-- General laboratory skills.

-- English language skills: to communicate and understand written and spoken instructions and directions, conduct record keeping, and maintain log books.

-- Use of basic math: add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; solve problems using percentages, metric system conversions, and ratios. Highly level technical jobs will require competency in college level mathematics.

-- Use of computers for word processing, producing spreadsheets, and manipulating data.

-- Ability to understand and follow instructions such as governmental regulations and company policies relating to safety, production practices and laboratory procedures.

-- Attention to detail.

-- Recognition of problems and reporting them. 

Students preparing for careers in biotechnology should be prepared to complete high school courses such as chemistry, biology, and mathematics.  Laboratory experience and training is especially important to develop the basic skills that will be needed on the job or to succeed in course work at community college and university levels.  A strong base in the high school sciences and mathematics, in addition to the development of communication skills, is especially necessary to prepare students for employment if they wish to enter the workforce upon graduation from high school. 

Some community colleges, industry organizations, and companies have established or are attempting to forge partnerships to provide training to prospective biotechnology technicians. 

Students should work closely with their instructors, counselors and advisers throughout their years in high school and college to plan their academic programs and to assess their opportunities in the industry. 

Companies may be willing to hire interns, and many will consider interns who have completed high school, graduates with associate degrees, and students attending community colleges. 

Most biotechnology companies provide in-house training following employment; however, it would be more realistic to expect training from a combination of sources: employers, colleges and universities, and technical schools. 

For those who are interested in careers as scientists in California, most community colleges offer courses in the biological sciences. Schools in the California State University and University of California systems and private institutions throughout the state offer numerous courses ranging from biology and the biological sciences to biochemistry, bioengineering, and biomedical physics to molecular and cellular biology.

Students should be aware that the biotechnology industry continually changes as it develops new products. The mix of workers in the manufacturing stage will differ from the worker mix in research and development. Some companies may eventually specialize in R&D while others may concentrate more on manufacturing. A company specializing in R&D will tend to hire fewer workers than a manufacturing facility. It will also hire mainly scientists, engineers, and a small number of technicians to develop and test their products. When a company reaches the manufacturing stage, it then hires more workers to staff technical, clerical, administrative, sales, and maintenance positions.

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