MICHAEL.STEFFANI at ASU.EDU wrote:
: Hello,
: I am a micro student at ASU and would like to ask 2 questions.
: 1. What jobs are available to BS micro students, are there many?
{SOME STUFF DELETED TO SHORTEN IT UP}
: Michael Steffani
: Arizona State University
:michael.steffani at asu.edu
Hi Michael,
I am a Microbiologist with the University of Iowa in Iowa City Iowa. I got
out of school in 1989 and this is my 3rd job since I got out of school. I
started out in private industry and then got on here when my wife got on offer
she couldn't refuse from the VA Hospital here in town. The jobs that are
available are good entry level jobs that require good lab skills. Along with
the lab skills get as much computer experience as you can. Maybe not a lot of
programming but you should be able to use one and be kind of familiar with
spreadsheets as well as the other usual classes of programs. Another thing
that seems to help is to have some Chemistry background. As a microbiologist
we are starting to have to use the "C" word more often so the more you know
about it the better off you can be. Understanding recombinant DNA, blotting
concepts, chromatography and etc. is what I am talking about.
You will probable have to move in order to find something. College towns are
bad places to try to get on when you don't have a bunch of experience although
once you have it there are usually a lot of good positions open.
Although it is not a sure thing the wide variety of positions that people with
our degree can fit into make finding a job easier. Look in all of the general
areas although private industry, primarily the food industry and
pharmaceutical industry, is your best bet.
Good Luck
Ron Gerth
Univ. of Iowa
