It may surprise some to discover that biotechnology is not new. Humanity has used microorganisms to produce wine, cheese and bread for thousands of years. These uses of biological processes to make products or solve problems are examples of biotechnology. However, it is now possible to use the most basic parts of organisms and their cellular mechanisms in an ever increasing number of useful functions. It is this explosion of applications that has made biotechnology one of the world’s fastest growing industries.
- Familiarize yourself biotechnology which covers a wide range of technologies, from Genentech on one end that is developing new treatments for cancer to Kraft foods on the other that is developing state-of-the-art food processing techniques.
- Explore what individual careers are like within the industry. Realize that biotechnology industries include jobs that require master's degrees and even doctorates. They also include technician level careers that may only require a high school education and extensive training courses or on the job instruction.
- Pick an area of interest. Research a company like Activ x, which works in genomics, or Acron Genomics, which works in nanobiology, or a government agency like the United States Department of Agriculture, which researches and monitors plant genetic resources and agriculture genomics.
- Decide if a training program or a college education is needed for a chosen career path. For some careers, a college degree followed by training in a specific area may be required.
- Explore specific training programs or individual colleges to define which have the best reputations in a given area.
- Apply to the appropriate program or college.
- Continue on into post-graduate education if necessary.
- Network at all levels of training with other students and trainees and potential employers.
