Who Is A Microbiologist?
Microbiologists
are scientists who study living organisms and infectious agents, such as
bacteria and viruses, that can only be seen with a microscope. Some of these
microorganisms are infectious agents to humans, animals, or plants. Many of
these microorganisms, however, carry out important functions in their niches
that are essential for all life on earth. Microbiologists study the interaction
of microorganisms with people and how they affect our lives, as well as the
roles these organisms play in the environment.
Where Do Microbiologists Work And
What Do They Do?
Microbiologists
work in hospitals, universities, medical schools, government laboratories, and
almost every industry, specializing in a variety of areas, from agriculture to
the space industry.
They
work in a variety of contexts, including food production, environmental
science, medicine, and basic research, and can have many different job titles,
from Biosafety Officer to Professor.
What Kinds Of Career Opportunities
Exist For Microbiologists?
The
career opportunities to choose from as a microbiologist will depend on the
level of education and training you receive. A baccalaureate degree in
microbiology will help you qualify for many technical, research, and clinical
positions.
Some
of these positions include:
Research assistant.
These people provide technical support to conduct research working in a team
with other scientists and a research director. They may work in an industrial,
government, university, or medical school lab.
Food, industrial or environmental
microbiologists, quality assurance technologists.
Working in industry, hospitals, or the government, these individuals check for the
quality and safety of vitamins, vaccines, antibiotics, and antiseptics. They
also identify harmful microorganisms in water, food, dairy, pharmaceutical and
environmental products.
Sales or technical representative.
These people provide information about pharmaceuticals and other medical or
scientific products to prospective customers.
Clinical and veterinary
microbiologists, medical technologists. These individuals
generally work in veterinary clinics or hospitals to identify disease causing
microorganisms in humans and animals.
In
addition to these laboratory and technical jobs, there are several other career
paths one can take with Bachelors degree in microbiology. Combining
microbiology with another discipline, such as education, business, or journalism,
provides an even wider range of career options. Such career options would
include teaching in high school, scientific sales, science writing for the
general public, public relations, or regulatory affairs. Completing a Bachelors
degree in microbiology also provides the necessary foundation to continue an
education in the medical, veterinary, dental or legal fields.
An
advanced degree in microbiology will broaden your career choices even further.
A Masters degree would qualify you for a career as a laboratory supervisor or
an instructor at a community or junior college. A doctoral degree (or its
equivalent) is almost always required for higher level positions in
microbiology and other sciences. With a Ph.D. in Microbiology, you could be
qualified to perform independent research, teach undergraduate and graduate
students, or assume executive level responsibilities in government and
industry.
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