Biology Careers
From Simmons Library Guides
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Contents |
Descriptive Career Information
Career Advice for Life Scientists
A component of the main page for the American Society for Cell Biology, this section outlines major issues presented by the Women in Cell Biology committees. Issues such as balancing career with family obligations, handling disruptive work environments, and branching out into related fields are addressed.
Life Sciences Research and Teaching: Strategies for a Successful Job Hunt
From the American Society for Cell Biology, this pamphlet, available in PDF format, is directed towards students who are seeking a position in academic research, teaching and industry. Sections include the choosing of the right graduate school, cover letters and interviewing.
Occupational Outlook Handbook - Biology
The Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information on job outlook, working conditions, training, and salaries for biological scientists.
What can i do with this Major?: Biological Sciences
This site created by the University of Tennessee and provided by the Career Education Center at Simmons College allows you to click on MAJORS of interest to see outlines of common career areas, employers, and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities. Choose LINKS to find a list of websites that provide additional information.
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Graduate School Information
Brain Track
This directory provides profiles on over 10,000 higher education institutions in 194 countries, including information on programs, tuition, financial aid, number of degrees awarded, athletic financial aid, student demographics, admissions, and similar schools. Also includes career descriptions for a variety of fields.
GradSchools.com
Find information on programs and financing your graduate studies.
MassCIS Graduate School
The Massachusetts Career Information System (MassCIS) is available to Massachusetts residents and includes an Education & Training section. Click on "Graduate School Sort" to create a list of schools matching your preferences.
Note: a username and password are not necessary to enter the site. Click on 'Adult' to get to the login page. Then simply fill out the bottom half of the login page with a town, zip code, and type of user.
Peterson's Online Resources
Searchable database of graduate school programs by location, subject, keyword, etc.
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Fellowships, Grants, and Scholarships
MassCIS Financial Aid
The Massachusetts Career Information System (MassCIS) is available to Massachusetts residents. Once in the site, click on 'Financial Aid'.
Note: a username and password are not necessary to enter the site. Click on 'Adult' to get to the login page. Then simply fill out the bottom half of the login page with a town, zip code, and type of user.
Women in Cell Biology
Educating Future Women Scientists. Click below to see a list of grants and fellowships.
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Resumes, Cover Letters, and Curriculum Vitae
Career Services @ Virginia Tech - Resume formats and samples
Obviously geared toward students and alums of Virginia Tech, but the resources are still very generalized and useful. Sample scientific resumes prepared by real students are provided, along with links to such areas of importance as networking, relocating, and job search strategies.
Tooling Up: Résumé Rocket Science
David Jensen discusses some common threads among experts on what constitutes a good CV or résumé.
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Job Hunting
ASCB Job Board
Try a quick or advanced job search from the website of The American Society For Cell Biology.
BioSpace
National, searchable job bank for careers in life science.
BioSpaceJobs
Search bioscience positions available throughout the United States. Information about career fairs and direct links to major bioscience companies are also provided.
HireBio
National biotechnology job database and career resources.
How to Get a Research Job in Academia and Industry
This handbook, originally written by Dr. Susan Goldhor, was revised by the American Society for Cell Biology in 1996. Primarily intended for those at the postdoctoral level seeking a position with a large research component, however, may also help prepare students hunt for their first professional job.
How to Get a Teaching Job At a Primarily Undergraduate Institution
Read these insights from a tenure track biologist about the interview process for getting a teaching job.
Marine Science Careers
General information and Job listings for Marine Careers, from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at the College of William and Mary.
Parenteral Drug Association Career Center
Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical national job bank.
Science Jobs - Bioscience
Excellent job bank and other resources.
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Networking
American Institute of Biological Sciences
National membership and public policy organization dedicated to advancing research in biology. An online membership directory allows you to search companies in your area that are conducting scientific research.
American Society for Cell Biology
The ASCB represents those within the field of cell biology, and works to further the value and visibility of the field as a whole. Teaching, research funding, and career assistance are just a few of the included topics.
National Organizations that Promote Women in Science
A list by Women in Cell Biology.
The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
Professional association focused on the dissemination of biology information and research. Online newsletter and job/fellowship postings geared to all levels of experience.
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Market Trends
A Survey of Compensation of Life Scientists in the USA, 2008
By The Scientist: Magazine of the Life Sciences. Check out the results of this American Society for Cell Biology salary survey.
Finding a Teaching Position: Strategies for Success
For Education Digest; Mar2008, Vol. 73 Issue 7, p38-42, Thomas A. Kersten's article includes teacher employment outlook, market demand, market supply, and mentions how the American Association for Employment in Education reports a general shortage of teachers of general science and biology.
Help Wanted: Newspapers Seek Ph.D.'s in Biomedical Sciences
For DNA & Cell Biology; Dec2007, Vol. 26 Issue 12, p809-810, Jo Handelsman writes about a study that predicts a shortage of scientists and engineers in the U.S. labor market.
National Center for Education Statistics
Article from Education Statistics Quarterly, vol.3, issue 1, 2001, 'From Bachelor's Degree to Work: Major Field of Study and Employment Outcomes of 1992-93 Bachelor's Degree Recipients Who Did Not Enroll in Graduate Education by 1997'. Includes stats on employment status, full-time salaries, job benefits, and job satisfaction for Biological/Interdisciplinary science degree recipients.
Indentured Labour
This article from Nature, 8/27/2008, Vol. 448 Iss 7156, p839-840, considers the career of young life scientists in the U.S. The increasing competition for academic positions in biology may possibly inhibit considerations for graduate training. The article also mentions that this issue could be solved its root problems are addressed.
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