What Does A
Microbiologist Do?
Microbiologists study the world of
organisms that are too small to be seen
with the naked eye. 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. 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.
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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