A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO CAREER ADVISING FOR BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY MAJORS.

Abstract

The career landscape for biochemistry and molecular biology students has changed dramatically over the past two decades. While to some extent these changes reflect declining demand within the academic sphere, the predominant drivers have been the progressive expansion and diversification of the “bio‐based” sectors of the economy and a substantial growth in the number of undergraduate students choosing to major in biochemistry and molecular biology. These trends have generated a demand for more intentional and comprehensive career education and advising for undergraduate biochemistry and molecular biology; a demand which many programs are struggling to meet. The majority of current college / university career service offices are ill‐equipped to offer informed and insightful career support services for biochemistry and molecular biology majors. While faculty may feel that their lack of personal work experience outside the halls of academia leaves them ill‐prepared to aid students considering careers beyond the familiar spheres of academia, medicine, and research & development; in point of fact their scientific training renders them far better equipped than the typical university career advising specialist. So how can faculty better serve student needs for career information and advising? This poster outlines practical strategies and readily accessible resources by which educators can assist students in planning and preparing for the next, post‐graduation, steps in their career development. It also describes the syllabus for a simple course — “Careers in Biochemistry” — for proactively addressing student career information needs.