alternative careers
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f you have to change paths toward pursuit of an advanced degree, you might want to consider a non-traditional career in the sciences. For most of these careers, a broad interest in the sciences is a prerequisite.
if you like to write: science writer
The best sign that you might enjoy science writing is that you love to know all about many aspects of science, can quickly learn the basics about many topics and can describe complex subjects in clear, exciting prose. Science writers are hired by newspapers, magazines, and journals and for Web site development. Many science writers are freelance authors and need to have some “business skills” as well as writing skills. While some science writers have also completed a degree in journalism, many have not. A good resoure to explore is the National Association of Science Writers Web site. The American Association for the Advancement of Science has a fellowship for students interested in becoming science writers. For those of you interested in environmental journalism, check out the Society of Environmental Journalists. If you are interested in writing about medical topics, check out the American Medical Writers Association. For those of you more interested in conveying technical information, check out the Society for Technical Communication.
if you like computers and math: bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an increasingly popular career. People in this profession help make sense of the vast quantities of information from the human genome project and other gene-sequencing projects. Bioinformatics combines computer science, library science, as well as the biological sciences to help catalog and make genetic information available to researchers, pharmacy companies, and the biotech industry. There are several master’s programs in bioinformatics around the country. One of the newest programs is at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Check out their Web site for information on bioinformatics and salary and career outlooks for this field.
if you like to work with children or young adults: science education
Science education might be the place for you. If you have ever wanted to work in a science and technology museum or a zoo, you should check out the Association of Science-Technology Centers Web site at www. astc.org, and the American Association of Museums at www.aam-us.org. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association at www.aza.org has a wonderful page on all aspects of zoo careers. Often environmental or conservation societies hire environmental educators. Working at the Natural History Center in Missoula, Montana, is a great way to get on the job experience for these types of careers. If you want to teach science or biology to middle or high school students, consider our teacher preparation options in biology. The National Science Teachers Association has a Web site at www.nsta.org and the National Association of Biology Teachers has their Web site at www.nabt.org.
if you like drawing or photography: medical illustration
You might want to consider science illustration or medical illustration as a career. The University of California at Santa Cruz has a one year graduate program that is described at natsci.ucsc.edu/scicom/SciIllus.html. If you are interested in medical illustration, plan to get some additional training. The Web site for the Association of Medical Illustrators is Medical-Illustrators.org; under “Profession” it includes some of the schools that currently offer training for this career.
the young scientist
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