Page 16 - Biotech Career Guide

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career basics
biology comes down to cells, na-
ture’s own almost infinitely variable
factories of growth and energy.
Cells produce more different things
with greater efficiency and speed
than any manufacturing process hu-
mans have ever invented. In plants,
animals, microbes — wherever they
are at work — cells function as an
all-purpose, widely adaptable build-
ing tool, unparalleled in their poten-
tial to make things of use, interest,
beauty, value, or need. A career in
biotechnology, therefore, starts with
a solid grounding in cell biology —
what cells are, how they work, how
they enable life, and how we can
manipulate their productive ener-
gies towards our own ends.
ADD IN TECHNOLOGY
The “tech” in biotechnology is just
as important as the “bio.” Technol-
ogy encompasses all the tools, sys-
tems, and procedures that enable
us to apply basic knowledge of the
physical and natural world towards
practical products and services that
meet our needs. Important areas
of knowledge can include subjects
closely related to biology, like
chemistry and physics. Engineering,
computer science, and mathematics
are also relevant fields of study.
Learning across all these areas plus
a foundation in biology enables us
to deploy the building blocks of
nature — molecules, proteins, and
cells — in applications of biotechnol-
ogy that result in finished products.
DIFFERENT
EDUCATIONAL PATHS
You can enter the field of biotech-
nology with different levels of edu-
cation. From two- and four-year
degree-holders to PhD’s, graduates
from all levels of higher education
can find a place in the field. Ad-
vanced study of some form is
necessary to gain at least a basic un-
derstanding of the science and tech-
nology that go into biotechnology.
And continued learning in the work-
place will help you extend your skills.
WORKING IN TEAMS
Teamwork is vital in biotechnology
projects because they require a
combination of practical and aca-
demic knowledge from various
fields. Team members need to work
together and effectively collaborate
to maximize the benefits of their
complementary skills. Developing
the ability to coordinate and collabo-
rate with others is a valuable skill
that you can focus on improving.
A VERY BROAD FIELD
In fields ranging from textiles to
pharmaceuticals to construction to
energy to agriculture to manufactur-
ing to the military, biotechnology
professionals can fill diverse roles.