Becoming a Geneticist
By Michelle S. Per. 7/8 Chemistry (Career Proj.)
What Geneticists (can) do
- Find out traits of offspring
- Help modify/improve crops
- Help make bio-medical therapies target certain diseases
- Run DNA tests
Genetic Research
Required Education:
- Bachelor's degree in biology/related program (for entry-level lab assistant)
- Graduate degree in genetics (for senior-level researcher)
- Doctoral degree program in genetics (for direct research/becoming a faculty mem. in a Uni or College)
Clinical Geneticist
Required Education:
- completed Bachelor's degree program
- earn a Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (at a medical school)
Required Certifications:
- passed medical licensing exam (Canada/US)
Genetic Counselor
Required Education:
- completed Master of Science degree in genetic counseling (from recognized Uni.)
Required Certifications:
- A license in order to work
- A written certification exam administered by the ABCG
Salaries (In Illinois)
Starting
$58,844
Average
$71,454
High
$84,064
This job is transferable to other states
An internship isn't required
It is unusual for a geneticist to work at home, they work at a lab with all the equipment they need provided for them
Geneticist job fields:
- Hospital
- Education
- University Research
Job Growth
is expected to increase fast
Benefits
vary from
- Position taken
- Degree held
Work Hours
Approx. 40 hours a week
Positive aspects: (Opinionated)
- Punnet Squares
- Curiosity can make you a good geneticist (I personally have a lot of curiosity)
- You can do other things than just find out DNA of offspring
Negative Aspects: (Opinionated)
- Could be long hours
- In a lab all day? (Social interaction?)
- Breaking the news to families what traits (for a lack of a better word) their children will have (Bad news)