Career/job help with ideas pls

Hi
I am basically a biochemistry graduate. I have lots of confusion how to choose a job with this Masters degree from India, if not do I need to do any course,if so what course will be suitable for me to take a job.Please guide me..

Thanks

Hi,

You have not mentioned your specialization and your areas of interest. If you can provide the details, it would be more helpful for ILites to suggest you a career.

Given below is an interesting article i found on the net.
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Biochemistry Jobs


This area provides information on biochemistry jobs including types of jobs available and other potential opportunities.
What is Biochemistry

The chemistry of living organisms and their vital processes Biochemistry involves studying the chemistry of living things. This would include substances, compounds and processes. A Biochemist is the person that gets into the most, minute characteristics of organisms, and their biological processes. Although Biochemists have many different areas of specialization from which to choose, almost all of them are required to have good research techniques as well as the ability to synthesize and analyze information.
What does a biochemist do

Biochemists have many potential roles within the scientific community, including working with agriculture, pharmaceutical industry and crime labs. An example is that they find new ways to diagnose and treat disease in humans including potentially creating anti-cancer agents and other for possible treatments for disease.
Qualifications in Biochemistry

Students attaining a degree in biochemistry receive an excellent preparation for a scientific career. The knowledge gained studying biochemistry is applicable to many areas including agriculture, medicine and biotechnology. Biochemistry graduates also possess knowledge and expertise in laboratory techniques and analysis in areas such as:


Biotechnology
Antibiotics
Molecular genetics
DNA analysis
Toxicological and environmental testing

If you were interested in studying biochemistry, you would receive additional knowledge in the basic sciences of biology and chemistry, but particularly in biochemistry you would cover:

Molecular biology and Novel Molecular Diagnostics
Drug Development
Stem Cell Therapies
Genomics
Bioinformatics
Gene Therapy
Social and Ethical Issues Relating to Genomic Information
Patent Law

Types of Biochemistry Jobs

With a degree in Biochemistry, an individual would find they have a vast list of careers available. The large industry is that of pharmaceuticals followed by work with the human genome project. Other industries where a Biochemist would work include:

Private Sector

Biotechnology
Food and Drink (includes brewing)
Health and Beauty Care
Medical Instrument companies
Chemical manufacturing companies
Research Companies and Laboratories

Public Sector to include

Scientific laboratories
Agriculture and fisheries
Hospitals
Universities
Public Health Entities
Blood Service
Forensic Science
Overseas Development
Public Health Laboratories
National Blood Services
Cancer research institutes
Environmental Pollution Control

biochemists in other industries

While most biochemist graduates tend to work in a traditional laboratory and research environment. Some biochemists may be attracted to working within a scientific company, but in more non-traditional roles. Possible careers may include recruitment agencies, sales, management and computing.

Further Study Opportunities

Biochemists also find opportunities once they earn a higher qualification, either through attaining honors, masters or PHD level qualification. As in many other science related fields, higher education qualification such as a PHD is considered advantageous over students with a single degree as it is considered specialized practical experience. Particularly with research this is considered valuable as postgraduate students receive longer term promotion and career opportunities.

In attempting to undertake further study, basic opportunity cost analysis must be taken; they all require additional time to be taken with PHD sometimes taking 4-5 years as well as require high grades and very competitive to get scholarships. Students may also find they are over qualified for basic science positions to get experience. Nonetheless there are positives for students including working with the elite field of biochemistry, higher positions, higher wages and higher respect.

Some specializations for postgraduate biochemistry courses include:

Bioinformatics
forensic science
biotechnology
immunology
Toxicology

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-Lakshmi

Hi

I am just a Biochemistry graduate, no much specialisation.. (dont understand what u actually mean). I actually wanted to go in research field, but i think its not possible to pursue ph.D, of course i cud work in research org, but with a break in career, is it possible. I have been married and have kid,and i have a break of 4 years now..

I want to know whether i m wrong, or is it possible to get job in research lab as research assistant or something like that. Or atleast some biochemistry related job as far now..

Research in biochemistry in US is alien field to me.. Sorry cant help much on that front.

Waiting for responses from other ILites.

-Lakshmi

Thanks Lakshmi for taking initiative to respond.. Lets see if anyone atleast replies and suggests something useful..

Hi San,

I have a M.S in Oncology and right after graduation I had worked for a pharmaceutical company as a Scientist after 2 yrs I had my DD and left work. that was just about 2 and half yrs ago.. I thought of going back to work when DD was 1 yr old, but found out I was pregnant again. anyways I have 2 little ones now... As far as RA goes, you can apply in University labs but they will ask for experience...If you want to further your career, go for a M.S here in US. or apply in companies and universities showing your experience as a Lab Assistant.. try that and maybe you can lucky.. or else contact some professors and ask them if you can volunteer in there lab for experience.. The basic truth is that in the fields of biology or biochem, there are not a whole lot of choices, but there are some careers... knowing people in the field is very beneficial.. It can get you a job with ease... good luck...hope i have helped u a little

dp

Hi,
As DP said, you can contact professors in any nearby university, to see if they have any RA positions available.
best,

Thanks DesiPrincess and Sindhu, as u said DP, i had worked as volunteer in Univ lab for around 2 mnths and then i got pregnant, so i left,but thats Voluntary job!Now i cant think of volunteering, spending time like this as freelancer with a baby!
DP...Doing MS u meant a regular college course?
I have a year of research exp in India but thats very basic, i was mostly collecting samples for the work and was doing basic stuides,but then i got married and came here!
I have done Lab tech course in India, but dont know how do they consider here the course done in India!!
Also there are wide opportunities for a biochemist to work in.. so lots of confusions which job to go, or if specifically any courses pref short term if done, will that be useful for job in same area? Like eg. Clinical research associate job - i have no knowledge reg this but saw somewhere abt its course bfr taking a job. Like this, can anyone give me ideas abt diff types of jobs related to my field and short term courses if any that might be useful for the same?

Thanks
San

DP, did u do ur degrees here? Can u share with me..

Hi San,
Yes my degree is from here, I have a BS in biology and then a MS. As far as I know all the clinical jobs require a basic clinical sciences degree. Some of those are 4 yr degrees and some are certificates I guess. For ex: If you want to be a cytotech or histotech or do clinical research like in a hospital setting, those require degrees.. I really don't much about the certificates...call a university advisor and/or go talk to their science department advisor and ask them about the certificates...

What I meant was you can do a MS in Biochem here, if you have the time/resources.. hope this helps a little...

dp

Thanks DP, thats right, i can contact the university itself..

But my question is what area of work in my field i could choose, so that i cud do some relevant course if any..
OR
Is there a possibility that they recrute Masters degree holder from India without any course done in US?

Any ideas regarding that?

The reason i ask others is i am more confused about the job availability for a biochem graduate here,so if anyone has knowledge in this, they cud help..

Whomever i asked so far, they said if i need to work part time at present, having kid to take care of.. they suggest only Nursing..

Are there not any part time jobs in my field?
To my knowledge, i think lab tech job is there.
Any other jobs like this?

Thanks