Biotechnology: Career Update
Reproduced with permission from the following publication.
IN CHEMISTRY MAY/JUNE 1992
Biotechnology may be a great career choice--so long as you don't want to
go in the research and development end of things. Biotechnology firms are
moving from small companies employing only a handfull of individuals to
companies composed of 300 to 800 people. Biotechnology, which in the mid-1980s
employed some 10,000 individuals nationwide, now employs over 50,000. Growth
is coming as a result of the move from the research and development stage
to product development.
Research and development of biotech products has reached a plateau, and
growth in this area will be somewhat small. However, companies are now gearing
up for product development and are finding that competition among biotechnology
companies for those qualified to work in this field is developing. Specific
target areas for career development within the biotechnology field seem
to lie in regulatory affairs and manufacturing. Individuals are needed who
know and understand government regulations and how to take products through
drug approval processes. Therefore, biotech firms are looking for individuals
from all educational levels who have experience in pharmaceutical areas,
including production managers, quality control experts, and production workers.
Shortages of qualified manufacturing professionals and technicians are projected
as this industry powers up for product development. Students with a background
in chemistry and biology will be likely candidates for these jobs. In addition,
because of the uniqueness of the product, companies will be looking for
scientists to move into management positions. The scientist's understanding
of this new genre of product will be necessary in order to meet the company
goals, thereby offering scientists an essential role in company leadership.