How do I get into the lab?
With its strong basis in biology, chemistry, and physiology, lab science has a wide variety of jobs available to students. This degree opens doors to careers in medical/clinical labs, research and development, education, and more! Career planning can be overwhelming, but this article is here to help you decide which lab science career most aligns with your passions and goals.
Jobs You Can Get Right After Graduation
If you want to start working right after graduation, or grad school isn’t a part of your plans right now, there are plenty of jobs that are looking for someone with a Lab Science degree! Here are some examples:
- Lab Technician: Lab technicians work in many types of labs, like research, environmental, or forensic. They collect and analyze chemical, environmental, or biological samples, clean the lab, maintain equipment, and label and store samples. They assist scientists with experiments or any other task delegated to them. As a lab technician you would work under the scientist or analyst.
- Phlebotomist: Phlebotomy is one of the quickest ways to start working in a clinical lab. Phlebotomists collect blood samples from patients, label and handle the samples, and prepare them for lab testing. It is a hands-on role and is mostly spent working with patients. Although you don’t need any further schooling, employers may want you to complete training or certification either on the job or before you begin working.
- Quality Control Technician: A quality control technician ensures that products meet their safety, quality, and performance standards before they reach the public. They can work in a variety of industries, such as pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, environmental testing, and even food and cosmetics.
- Medical Lab Technician: Different from a general lab technician, this position works in a variety of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and public health labs. Medical Lab Technicians prepare samples, run tests on bodily fluids (like blood and urine), and operate clinical analyzers to help diagnose diseases.
Important Note: This is only a feasible job directly out of college IF your college program is NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences)-accredited in medical laboratory science. If your program is not NAACLS-accredited, you can only become a medical lab technician with your bachelor’s degree in a related field and one year of full-time lab experience.
Jobs That Require Further Schooling
While a bachelor’s degree can get you into the lab, you will need a master’s to lead projects or specialize in advanced fields. If you want to go farther with your degree, graduate school is for you! Here are some of the top options:
- Research Scientist: Research scientists design, conduct, and interpret experiments to answer key questions, design new products, or discover new information. They work with a team to innovate through science and technology and often present their findings to the scientific community through conferences and written reports.
- Epidemiologist: Epidemiologists focus on the big picture. Instead of working with individual patients, they look at whole communities and regions to see how diseases spread and affect populations. By collecting and analyzing data and recognizing patterns, epidemiologists can communicate with health departments, policymakers, and the public to recommend control measures.
- Forensic Scientist: Forensic scientists are the bridge between science and the law. They collect and analyze data from crime scenes, drawing conclusions based on the evidence found. There are many different specialties within forensic science, such as toxicology or DNA analysis. You can get a job as a forensic scientist with only a bachelor’s degree in local or state crime labs, but a master’s is highly recommended when applying for federal jobs, like for the FBI or DEA. A master’s is also encouraged for specialized roles, like as a toxicologist.
- Genetic Counseling: A genetic counselor works with patients and families to assess genetic risks, order and interpret tests, and decide what the family’s next moves should be. They have an in-depth knowledge of and specialized training in medical genetics and counseling; not only do they know how to assess and interpret genetic information, but they can educate and support patients during a difficult time. Genetic counselors usually work in hospitals, clinics, public health, and research institutions.
Into the Lab!
Most jobs on this list will get you into the lab of your choice, but the level at which you work will differ dramatically. Whether you work directly with patients or are the head of the lab, the work being performed will change lives.
Citations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
Davenport University — 5 Careers You Can Pursue with a Lab Science Degree
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
American Journal of Clinical Pathology — Laboratory Science Research Article
Alliant International University — How to Become a Forensic Scientist