BioZine Careers

Zoo Keeper

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:44:21 -0600

A zookeeper feeds and monitors animals living in zoological parks. A keeper must oversee the diet, behavior, and overall health of the animals, and may also be involved in the design and maintenance of cages, aviaries, pens, and other zoo animal habitats. This job can involve physical contact with animals and other manual labor, so good physical fitness is an asset. Work can also involve dealing with zoo visitors, offering educational programs, and training some animals to perform. Competition for jobs at well-known zoos is stiff, and entry-level salaries tend to be low. Zookeepers need some type of science degree: a Bachelor’s or higher in zoology or a related subject, a veterinary medicine or veterinary technician degree, or an Associate’s degree in zoo science.

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Ecologist

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:26:48 -0600

An ecologist studies the interactions among the organisms and environmental conditions of an ecosystem. Ecology is a science that requires gathering a huge amount of data from a lot of sources. An ecologist must do this while at the same time keeping in mind the “big picture” that an ecosystem represents. Most ecologists start out with a degree in a natural science and several seasons of fieldwork under their belts before moving on to a graduate program in ecology or a related subject. Ecologists can work as professors, consultants, natural resource managers, research scientists, and much more. Ecologists with doctorates often specialize in specific areas such as marine, microbial, desert, urban, or rain forest ecology. Whatever your specialty, you should expect to perform several months of fieldwork per year as an ecologist, and you should also be comfortable with writing research papers and grant proposals. Because ecology involves the biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem, it helps to have a solid educational background in chemistry, physics, and geology.

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Environmental Consultant

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 13:13:11 -0600

When an engineering company wants to build a wastewater treatment plant or other facility, they hire an environmental consultant to conduct studies of the likely environmental impact of the project. This may involve taking measurements of soil, air, and water quality, reading through previous reports, communicating with engineers, and projecting how the ecology of an area might change as a result of the proposed project. The consultant usually compiles the findings into a standardized report called an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is then reviewed by government agencies, town planners, and others who must approve of the project. Environmental consultants also check existing buildings, plants, factories, and other facilities to ensure that they remain in compliance with environmental regulations.

Consultants often specialize in one area, such as waste management, water quality, or air quality, and each specialty may require certification. A degree in environmental studies, chemistry, geology, or another related subject is enough to get entry-level work, but you will have more career options with a Master’s or Ph.D. degree.

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Paleontologist

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 13:02:45 -0600

Paleontologists study the fossil record to better understand evolution, the biology of long-extinct species, and what life on Earth was like in the past. Paleontology is a broad field of science, and requires knowledge in all major sciences: physics, biology, chemistry, and geology. Specialized fields within paleontology include paleobotany (ancient plants), vertebrate paleontology (ancient animals with backbones), and paleoecology (ancient ecosystems). A paleontology career should begin with a Bachelor’s degree in biology and/or geology, with plenty of physics, chemistry, and math coursework. Many paleontologists look for fossils in remote deserts in foreign countries, so knowing a foreign language (or several) is very helpful. You will eventually need a Ph.D. to work as a researcher or professor.

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Zoologist

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 11:50:53 -0600

A zoologist is not necessarily someone who works at a zoo. Zoology is the study of animals, so a zoologist is simply a scientist whose work focuses on the animal kingdom. Zoologists work in marine biology, herpetology (reptiles), ichthyology (fish), ornithology (birds), mammalogy, entomology (insects), comparative anatomy, evolutionary biology, paleontology, wildlife conservation, veterinary science, and all other animal-based areas of biology. Some colleges offer zoology as a major, but the coursework is essentially the same as in a biology program. To work as a research zoologist, you should expect to go to graduate school for a Master’s or Ph.D. in zoology or a related subject. [See also these related careers: Evolutionary Biologist, Zookeeper, Park Ranger, Fish and Wildlife Manager, Ethologist, Marine Biologist]

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Marine Biologist

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 11:34:13 -0600

Marine biologists study life in the seas. Subjects of research include fisheries biology, marine mammals, marine plants and algae, coral reefs, deep-sea communities, zooplankton, and many more. This field is vast and growing, but it is also one of the more popular sciences. Competition for jobs can be tough and salaries are not often high.

To work in marine biology, you will eventually need an M.S. or Ph.D. College graduates who have hands-on experience in the field or laboratory tend to have an advantage when seeking entry-level work or admission to a graduate program, so try to get an internship or volunteer position during college. Marine biologists work for research institutions, universities, government agencies, television production companies, conservation groups, and more.

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X-Ray Technician

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:02:00 -0600

An X-ray technician, also known as a radiologic technologist, uses X-rays and other types of radiation to take pictures of a patient’s internal anatomy, usually under the guidance of a radiologist. They may also use other diagnostic technologies, such as injecting radioactive dyes into a patient’s bloodstream. The abilities to work high-tech equipment and offer personal attention to patients are assets in this field. You can receive the necessary training in radiologic technology in as little as one year of technical college or as long as four, depending on your prior experience in healthcare. The U.S. Armed Forces also offers training in radiologic technology.

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Ultrasound Technician

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:01:40 -0600

An ultrasound technician, also known as a diagnostic sonographer, uses ultrasound technology to create images or video of the soft tissues inside a patient, allowing a physician to diagnose medical conditions. Sonographers can specialize in certain areas or systems of the body, such as the female reproductive system or the cardiovascular system. Sonographers must be technically skilled but also capable of explaining ultrasound procedures and their results to patients. Hospitals, colleges, technical/vocational schools, and the U.S. Armed Forces offer training in sonography. Most sonographers have an Associate’s Degree in the subject. This field is one of the top ten highest paying jobs for people with an Associate’s Degree.

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Surgical Technician

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:01:19 -0600

A surgical technician, or technologist, assists a surgical team by preparing a sterile operating room and assisting with preparing the patient for surgery. The surgical technologist also checks vital signs and other diagnostics during a surgical procedure, and passes surgical tools to the surgeon. Attention to detail, quick thinking, compassion for patients, and an ability to remain calm and controlled are all helpful traits. Hospitals, colleges, vocational schools, and the U.S. Armed Forces all offer training in surgical technology, with most programs taking one or two years to finish.

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Sports Trainer

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:01:01 -0600

A sports trainer works with athletes to prevent and treat injuries. They are often the first to respond to an injury, meaning they must assess the damage and determine if the athlete can continue to compete. They are especially skilled at using ice, heat, pain-relieving medicines, massage, and bandage wraps to allow athletes to play through pain or recover in time for the next event. Because trainers must attend athletic events, their work schedule can be irregular and they may need to travel often. Trainers need a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or a related subject, but most have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree as well. Most states have their own licensing test and also require that trainers be certified with the national Board of Certification. Sports trainers find full-time and part-time work with high schools, universities, sports medicine clinics, and professional sports teams.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:00:30 -0600

A speech-language pathologist treats people who have difficulty speaking clearly or using their voices. This can involve treating people whose speech difficulties result from a wide variety of medical issues, from Down’s Syndrome to stuttering to serious brain injury. Much of a speech-language pathologist’s work involves one-on-one work with patients. Pathologists must be excellent listeners, and patience and compassion come in handy because some patients need a lot of time to show improvement. To work as a speech-language pathologist, you will need a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology and a passing score on a national exam.

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Science Writer

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:00:15 -0600

The job of a science writer is to put science in a language that a general audience can understand and enjoy. Science writers’ works appear in general interest magazines, newspapers, textbooks, websites, radio programs, television shows, and much more. The challenge in science writing is to first understand the science and then write about it in a way that will be engaging and understandable to an audience. Some science writers are reporters who write every day on a new discovery or outcome of research; others are best-selling authors who spend months or years researching and writing on a specific topic. Most benefit from a background in both science and English, journalism, or writing. There are a number of graduate programs in science writing, but a graduate degree is not required to work in this field.

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Science Policy Analyst

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:59:52 -0600

A science policy analyst uses his or her expertise to shape government policy on science-related issues such as stem cell research, climate change, energy, fisheries management, biotechnology, and more. Government is full of politicians and lawyers who have little scientific training or education. And a lot of what politicians hear about science is coming from corporations or other interests that are not always concerned with science. A science policy analyst brings scientific methodology and real data to a policy debate so that decision makers can better understand an issue before writing a law or planning a budget. They also help explain policies to scientists, including the political and legal issues. Science policy analysts usually have a Ph.D. or Master’s degree in policy or a science. Some begin their careers right after graduate school, while others become analysts after years of scientific research. Work is available in the public and private sectors. Most graduate programs in science policy look for college graduates who have taken courses in biology, chemistry, and economics.

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Science Patent Lawyer

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:59:33 -0600

When someone invents a new and unique scientific technique or product, they move quickly to secure a patent to protect their work from being copied or sold by others. This is where a science patent lawyer comes in. On behalf of the client, a patent lawyer presents a case to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. To be a science patent lawyer you must have a degree or strong background in science or engineering, a law degree (J.D.), and you must pass an exam on patent law, informally known as the “patent bar.” Some people who have the science background but not the law degree can opt to work as science patent agents. A patent agent is someone who has passed the patent bar but lacks a law degree, meaning they can practice patent law but not other types of law.

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Science Museum Curator

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:59:15 -0600

A museum curator is in charge of setting up and maintaining exhibits and collections. In a science museum, this can mean acquiring dinosaur bones and assembling them into a skeleton, preserving fish specimens and creating a digital archive of their images, organizing a vast collection of butterflies, or building a working model of a tsunami. Curatorial positions are limited in number, so there is a lot of competition for these jobs. Most science museum curators have graduate degrees and a great deal of experience in managing collections and acquiring new items or specimens. Curators oversee graduate students, interns, volunteers, and other museum staff, so having good managerial skills is essential. Other duties may include leading expeditions to foreign countries, fundraising, teaching, and writing scientific articles.