A genetics degree may be the stepping stone to a career in medicine, scientific research, or industry, and it also offers a wide variety of skills that are applicable in a wide variety of other fields.
Alternatives to employment
The following are examples of jobs that are closely connected to your degree:
researcher in the academic field
Research associate in clinical studies
Clinical scientist, genomics
Clinical scientist, immunology
Counsellors in genetics
Pharmacologist
Plant breeder/geneticist
Scientist who does research (life sciences)
Scientist who does research (medical)
The following are examples of careers in which a degree might be beneficial:
Biotechnologist
Epidemiologist
Forensic scientist
Medical sales representative
Associate doctor of medicine
Technician in scientific research laboratories
Scientific author
Don't limit your thinking to the positions that are mentioned here; many businesses are open to receiving applications from recent graduates with degrees in any field, so don't limit yourself.
Practice in the workplace
Your chances of getting a job linked to genetics may be improved if you acquire hands-on experience by seeing others at work or by participating in an internship in a laboratory or on the job. In addition to this, it is beneficial to educate oneself on the various methods that are used in the region. Certain programs provide students the chance to spend a year working in industry or at a research facility, or participate in a kind of shorter work placement either in the United Kingdom or in another country.
Acquiring some work experience in both the business world and the academic world will allow you to evaluate both options and choose which one best suits your interests. Working part-time in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital, may provide you with valuable experience that might be beneficial to you as you consider potential career paths.
It is possible that you may come to the conclusion that you would want to engage in some voluntary work with organizations that focus on the investigation of genetic illnesses or the provision of assistance to persons who have hereditary disorders.
Conduct a search for available places, as well as research information about internships and work experience.
Common types of employers
Because many jobs in the genetics industry are rooted on the medical field, hospitals, pharmaceutical businesses, and academic institutions are the most common types of employers in this field.
However, chances may also be found in the health and beauty care business, research and consulting firms, and enterprises that produce food and drink.
Research Councils, Innovate UK, and Research England make up UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which stands for UK Research and Innovation. There are labs inside the Research Councils that are always looking for qualified scientists to join their teams; however, most positions need a graduate level education.
Opportunities may be found in a variety of fields that are connected to the biological sciences, such as biotechnology, biomedical research, agricultural and horticultural, conservation, and environmental assessment. You may wish to give these fields some consideration. In addition to this, you may put your abilities to use in professions such as teaching, business, finance, or retail sales.
Find information about employers in various employment categories, such as the healthcare industry, science and pharmaceuticals, and others.
Skills for your CV
If you want to have a successful career in the field of genetics, you should get a genetics education since it will provide you with the specialized topic knowledge as well as the abilities in scientific methodology, biological research, and laboratory practice that you will need.
Employers are also interested in the more general abilities that you get, such as the following:
collecting, analyzing, and making sense of vast amounts of data in the scientific field
talents in logical reasoning, mathematics, and computer technology
a familiarity with current events as well as ethical debates
the ability to communicate effectively, including the ability to write reports and give presentations
time management
issue solving
independence and initiative are required.
awareness in business matters
teamwork and great interpersonal skills.
Research in depth is required.
Postgraduate education and the development of advanced research and technical abilities are highly valued by many firms in the genetics industry. Other transferrable talents, such as critical thinking and report writing, are also highly regarded by these organizations. A postgraduate degree, particularly at the master's or doctoral level, is very helpful for careers in research.
If you want to further your education after earning your first degree, you have a lot of alternatives available to you at the postgraduate level. Some of these fields are inextricably linked, like medical and molecular genetics, while others, like immunology and pharmacology, are offshoots of genetics.
Check out the pages on master's degrees and look into postgraduate courses in genetics if you want additional information on how to continue your education or to locate a class that piques your interest.
What do genetics graduates do?
Biochemists and biomedical scientists, laboratory technicians, secondary education teaching professionals, and biological scientists are among the top five careers that genetics graduates may get after graduating from school.