Prospective College Students

Choosing a career path can be a daunting experience. Whether you are a high school student considering college or someone retraining for a new career, the field of biotechnology offers a diverse array of opportunities. The resources below are designed to help answer some of the questions that you might have about educational opportunities and careers in biotechnology.

Is a Career in Biotechnology Right for Me?

WOIS provides information on science and biotechnology occupations, educational and training programs, and Washington schools. The Interest Profiler can help you identify your interests and learn how they relate to the world of work. WOIS can be accessed only from institutions that subscribe, including libraries, colleges and universities.

• WOIS Interest Profiler
• Where to access WOIS

Some schools offer short courses designed to help students learn about the field of biotechnology. For example, Shoreline Community College’s Survey Course provides students the opportunity to identify the basics of biotechnology and determine their interest in pursuing further studies.

Our Student Biotech Career Informational Brochure contains information about career opportunities based on education level as well as salary ranges for various jobs.

The guidelines below provide a general overview of the basic skills needed for success in biotechnology programs and careers.

Ten Biotechnology/Biomedical Articulation Guidelines

What is a Job in Biotech Like?

Prospective students considering career options may want a picture of what it’s like to work in biotechnology. If you’re thinking about going into this field, see these real world examples for vivid details about employment in biotechnology today.

• Research, Development, and Manufacturing Sample Job Description, Job Titles and Scenarios
• Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Trials Sample Job Description, Job Titles and Scenarios

For more information about careers in biotech, visit our Career Options page.

To learn more about the working environment for biotechnology positions, take a Virtual Lab Tour at these organizations:

• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
• Bio-Link

How Do I Get Started in a Biotech Career?

Visit our Degrees, Certificates and Training page for more information about the educational opportunities that are available.

Internships

Internships with local laboratories, both academic and industry, help students bridge the gap between education and the working world.

Shoreline Community College Internships - This site provides an example of internship best practices and guidelines to help you gain practical experience in a laboratory supervised by a mentor, which is essential when competing for beginning biotech positions.

Work-Based Learning Projects and Capstone Projects

Work-Based Learning Projects give students the experience of working in industry while completing their biotechnical education. Capstone Projects and other Independent Study projects allow students to take their knowledge a step further by fostering critical thinking and problem solving skills, thus preparing them for entry into the workforce. The examples below illustrate how such programs bring invaluable real-world experience to students in biotechnical programs.

• Bates Technical College Biotechnology Work-Based Learning Program
• Bates Technical College Biotechnology Independent Study Program
• Shoreline Community College Biotechnology Capstone Program

Student Portfolio - This template can help students prepare for interviews by presenting evidence of competency and specific proficiencies gained in biotech programs.

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