BIOCHEMISTRY …

                               BIOCHEMISTRY
                         What can I do with this degree?
                 AREAS                   EMPLOYERS                                              STRATEGIES

RESEARCH
Basic                     University laboratories                               Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, or
Applied                   Federal government laboratories/agencies including:      chemistry qualifies one for laboratory technician
Medical                      National Science Foundation                           or research assistant positions.
Grant Writing                National Institutes of Health                      Choose courses with laboratory work.
Administration               Food and Drug Administration                       Get on the job experience in a laboratory and/or
                             Environmental Protection Agency                       complete a senior research project.
                             Department of Agriculture                          Complete a certificate training program, usually one
                             Armed Services                                        year, to learn specialized laboratory techniques.
                          State and local government laboratories/agencies      Take a course in grant writing.
                          Public health departments                             Earn master's degree in biochemistry for better
                          Hospital laboratories                                    positions, advancement opportunities, more
                          Commercial medical laboratories                          responsibility and higher pay.
                          Private testing laboratories including forensics      Obtain Ph.D. to direct research projects and lead
                          Independent research foundations                         research teams.
                          Industry laboratories:
                             Pharmaceutical companies
                             Biotechnology firms
                             Food processors
                             Cosmetic manufacturers
                             Chemical and petroleum industries
                             Agricultural industry

TEACHING
Elementary                Public and private elementary, middle, and high       Complete an accredited teacher preparation program
Secondary                   schools                                                for certification/licensure in biology and/or
Post-secondary            Two-year community colleges/technical institutes         chemistry.
                          Four-year institutions                                Ph.D. required for college or university teaching.
                          Medical schools                                          Some teaching positions in two-year institutions
                                                                                   may be available for those with a master's degree.
                                                                                Prepare to attend graduate school by maintaining a
                                                                                   high grade point average and securing strong
                                                                                   faculty recommendations.
                                                                                Serve as a tutor for high school or college students.
                                                                                Learn to communicate effectively.
(Biochemistry, Page 2)

                AREAS                             EMPLOYERS                                STRATEGIES

HEALTHCARE
Medicine                                                                    Plan on attending medical school or other related
Dentistry                          Hospitals                                   graduate program.
Optometry                          Medical centers                          Maintain an outstanding grade point average, particu-
Podiatry                           Nursing homes                               larly in the sciences.
Pharmacy                           Private practice                         Secure strong faculty recommendations.
Veterinary Medicine                                                         Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically.
Allied Health                                                               Join related student organizations. Demonstrate
 Occupational Therapy                                                          leadership abilities.
 Physical Therapy                                                           Volunteer to work in a hospital or healthcare setting.
                                                                            Find a summer job or internship in a hospital.
                                                                            Develop a back up plan in case medical/graduate
                                                                               school admission is denied.
                                                                            Consider alternative but related careers such as
                                                                               physician assistants.
                                                                            Research all of the various fields within medicine to
                                                                               determine a particular career goal.



OTHER PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Sales/Marketing                    Biotechnology industry                   For sales positions, gain sales experience through
Technical Writing                  Pharmaceutical and chemical companies       internships, part-time work, or summer jobs.
Scientific Journalism              Publishers:                              Take business and/or computer classes.
Scientific Illustration               Textbook, magazine, newspaper, book   Become familiar with desktop publishing and other
Regulatory Affairs                 Software firms                              software packages.
Administration/Management          Regulatory agencies                      Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
Scientific/Technical Recruiting    Search firms                             Get experience writing for a school or local
Intellectual Property/Patent Law   Law firms                                   newspaper.
                                   Legal departments of corporations        Obtain an MBA or Ph.D. to reach high levels of
                                                                               administration.
                                                                            Plan on attending law school if interested in law.
(Biochemistry, Page 3)


GENERAL INFORMATION

·   As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
·   Participate in research programs sponsored by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
·   Consider a certificate program or specialized master's program to qualify for research technician positions.
·   Earn master's degree for greater variety and autonomy on the job.
·   Earn a Ph.D. to work on high-level research projects, to direct research programs, to enter high levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary
        institutions. Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.
·   Learn to work independently and as part of ateam.
·   Develop the ability to communicate clearly.
·   Gain competencies in computers and mathematics.
·   Read scientific journals and join related professional organizations.
·   Combine an undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a degree in law, computer programming, business, education, information science, or other discipline to
        expand career opportunities.




                                 Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.   (1996, Revised 2003)
                                                            UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer