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Your skills

During your biotechnology degree you gain a wide variety ofcourse-specific knowledge as well as a range of transferableskills. Biotechnology courses equip you with a mixture of skillsranging from technical to interpersonal including:

research skills; information handling, analysing and evaluating skills; ability to work methodically, efficiently and accurately; good decision-making and problem-solving skills; adaptability and experience in working within a team; highly developed IT skills; ability to create concise and detailed written reports and

presentations; laboratory experience covering good lab practice and

health and safety.

As well as covering course content it is also important toincorporate other aspects of the degree in any job application, soinclude projects, presentations, research topics, group work,case studies and employer visits. The skills, knowledge andexperience gained from your course will be a key component inthe application process but it is important to include workexperience, placements, voluntary work and any extracurricularactivities that you may be involved in. This will add weight toyour application and show that you can work well within a teamand have good social skills.

Having work experience within the science-related field will helpto enhance your application. This type of experience will providean opportunity to develop both technical and interpersonal skills

in a work-based environment. Other work experience, part-timeor voluntary, will also be very useful as it shows that you aremotivated, hard-working and reliable.

Consider the skills developed on your course as well as throughyour other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, familyresponsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles,etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of yourskills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market andsell who you reallyare, identify what you may be lacking andconsider how to improve your profile. Take a look at applications,CVs and interviews for some useful tips.

Job optionsJobs directly related to your degree

Clinical molecular geneticist - uses biochemical andmolecular biology techniques to identify geneticabnormalities associated with disease.

Clinical research associate - sets up, monitors andcompletes clinical trials. A clinical trail is a scientific studyof the effects, risks, efficiency and benefit of a medicinalproduct.

Microbiologist (industrial microbiologist) - observes andmonitors the development and effects of microbes in closedetail in order to protect public health.

Research scientist (life science) - designs, plans andinvestigates experiments and field work to advance andapply knowledge of biological and natural phenomena.Some scientists carry out research in areas of new

products, process or commercial applications or buildingupon previous research.

Teaching laboratory technician - works in all kinds ofeducational institutions, providing technical support andensuring that equipment is functioning properly and readyto use. Sometimes technicians will work closely withstudents demonstrating experiments and help staff with a

class and/or support individual students on researchprojects.

Regulatory affairs officer - ensures the appropriatelicensing, marketing and legal compliance ofpharmaceutical and medical products by applyingknowledge of scientific, legal and business issues to theprocess involved in the developing and manufacturing ofthe products.

Jobs where your degree would be useful Patent attorney - works on behalf of a client to persuade

patent examiners that the invention is new and innovative.The main objective is to ensure that the inventors legaland commercial rights are maintained.

Technical author - communicates in various formatstechnical information to a wider audience. The author must

understand the technology and be able to design and writedocumentation in a variety of formats, including DVDs,leaflets and online materials to ensure that the reader isfully competent with the material.

Quality manager - works to make sure that the product orservice an organisation provides is fit for use and meetsthe expectations of the customer. They must also makecertain that all products produced meet these standards.

Technical sales engineer - combines technical knowledgewith commercial training to promote and sell equipment tobusiness customers. The emphasis of the work dependson the sector/company; a high degree of technicalknowledge and understanding is needed.

Systems analyst - examines business activity to provide

help and solutions to technical business problems; alsoprovides suitable IT solutions.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs formany graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilitieswith your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have theattributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that its not justyour degree discipline that determines your options. Rememberthat many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degreedisciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on careerplanning and graduate employment, or take a look at what jobswould suit me?, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options

and related jobs.

Career areasThe statistics that are available show biotechnology graduatesare in a good position six months after graduation. In 2009, 40%of biotechnology graduates were in full-time work once they hadfinished their course. Many were found to be working in thehealth and science sector. This covers a wide variety of jobsincluding clinical and technical roles within scientific research,product development and hospital laboratories.

Around 19% of graduates were working in non-related sectors.These areas include secretarial, administration, retail andcatering roles. It is worth noting that this figure may be the resultof waiting for postgraduate courses or other employment to

begin. Alternatively it could be that students were looking for anyemployment immediately after they had finished their course dueto financial reasons.

OPTIONS SERIES

Options with biotechnology

Visit www.prospects.ac.uk/links/options - includes case studies of graduates in this subject

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications__CVs_and_interviews/p!eefmdhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications__CVs_and_interviews/p!eefmdhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=303http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=312http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=307http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=277http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=332http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=346http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=344http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=455http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=206http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=267http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=481http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Your_degree___what_next_/What_next_/p!epmifgihttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/My_Prospects___Vacancies_by_e_mail_or_mobile/My_Prospects_R2/p!elkemif?mode=try_pphttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/My_Prospects___Vacancies_by_e_mail_or_mobile/My_Prospects_R2/p!elkemif?mode=try_pphttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/p!elmjXhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/optionshttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/optionshttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/p!elmjXhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/My_Prospects___Vacancies_by_e_mail_or_mobile/My_Prospects_R2/p!elkemif?mode=try_pphttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/My_Prospects___Vacancies_by_e_mail_or_mobile/My_Prospects_R2/p!elkemif?mode=try_pphttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Your_degree___what_next_/What_next_/p!epmifgihttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=481http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=267http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=206http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=455http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=344http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=346http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=332http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=277http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=307http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=312http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=303http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications__CVs_and_interviews/p!eefmdhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications__CVs_and_interviews/p!eefmd

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Where are the jobs?The skills and knowledge gained from biotechnology degreesare used in many employment sectors. Most employmentopportunities can be found within the NHS hospital laboratories(NHS Careers (http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk)) andbiotechnology research organisations. Other opportunities canbe found in multidisciplinary consultancy or testing companiesand research charities like Cancer Research. Governmentdepartments, agencies, educational establishments andresearch councils also employ graduates.

In other sectors like manufacturing, pharmaceutical and the foodand drink industries, specialist roles may also presentthemselves in areas such as quality assurance and generalmanagement.

For an insight into employment areas see:

Science - overview of the science sector and the futuremarkets trends;

Health - overview of the health sector and the futuremarkets trends;

Information technology - overview of IT sector and relatedemployment opportunities.

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in

other employment areas.Statistics are collected every year by the Higher EducationStatistics Agency (HESA) (http://www.hesa.ac.uk) to show whatHE students do immediately after graduation. These can be auseful guide but, in reality, with the data being collected withinjust six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling,waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting workexperience or still deciding what they want to do. For furtherinformation about some of the areas of employment commonlyentered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out whatdo graduates do? and your degree...what next?

Further studyAround 30% of recent biotechnology graduates went into further

study with 5% working and studying at the same time. Furtherstudy can be a taught programme or a research degree. Taughtpostgraduate courses can be in a science-related field which willenhance your knowledge base in a specialist area, such asindustrial biotechnology or environmental biotechnology.Alternatively, a postgraduate course can allow you to developnew skills in areas such as information technology(bioinformatics), information management or even management.MBAs, PhDs or Masters of Research (MRes) are another option.PhD research is often an advantage for long-term promotion.

Most employers are supportive of professional development andare keen for employees to obtain further qualifications. Youshould research possible courses carefully and ensure that theywill enhance your long-term career plans.

These trends show only what previous graduates in your subjectdid immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career- the first few years in particular - many others will opt for someform of further study, either part time or full time. If further studyinterests you, start by thinking about postgrad study. Findcourses and research of interest to you; you can also apply forcourses online.

Look at funding my further study for details relating to financeand the application process.

What next?Many organisations, like GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, offerstructured graduate programmes and recruit at set times during

the year. Smaller companies recruit throughout the year. Otherorganisations, like Cancer Research UK, can offer both summerand graduate vacancies.

Vacancies for PhD and postdoctoral entrants are usuallyadvertised as they occur. Another option would be through aKnowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

http://www.ktponline.org.uk) which can help recent qualifiedgraduates get work in a commercial environment, whilst studyingfor a higher degree. These positions are paid.

Using a recruitment agency might be an option immediately aftergraduation. There are many agencies that specialise in thescience sector and can offer paid temporary or short-term workexperience that will not only enhance the CV but may lead tofull-time job offers.

This should have started you thinking about your future. Whetheryou are in the early stages of career planning, or you have

definite ideas about what you want to do, you will find furtherinformation to help you in the following sections:

Analyse your skills, interests and motivations to find outwhat jobs would suit me?

Explore types of jobs to find out about entry requirements,salaries and working conditions.

See industry insights for hints on breaking into variousindustries.

Find graduate employers and see what they have to offer. You may want to investigate self-employment or flexible

working. Look at the advice on applications, CVs and interviews. Get work experience through vacation work or a work

placement. Find courses and research and investigate postgraduate

study opportunities. If you are thinking about taking time out, volunteering or

travelling consider a gap year or explore working andstudying abroad.

If you have already graduated, get online interactiveadvice.

Visit your university careers service for a wealth of adviceand resources to help with your career planning.

(c) Content copyright of or licensed to AGCAS (www.agcas.org.uk)

Written by Lindsay McDonald, University of the West of Scotland,

November 2008.

Edited by Francesca Bauer, AGCAS, November 2008.

The work of writers and editors is gratefully acknowledged.

To view the terms and conditions for the material provided in this

publication, please see http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/disclaimer.

Visit www.prospects.ac.uk/links/options - includes case studies of graduates in this subject

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