Download - Kocg9598 byou beyond the lab 26 feb14
beyond the lab
the many ways you can use your bachelor of science in the new
world of work
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I t’s becoming increasingly apparent that the Bachelor of Science is the foundation
degree that provides students with the skills essential to a wide-ranging career in
the industries of the future. Sure, over a four-year program, a Bachelor of Science
student will focus on developing applied knowledge in a particular technical field, but
– regardless of whether they major in math, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy or
another science – there are myriad career options available to them upon entering the
professional world.
A Bachelor of Science prepares graduates for more than just work in a lab – skills such
as critical thinking, strategic analysis and communication are in demand by all sorts of
employers across a range of industries. Government, academia, large corporations and
small industry all seek top talent with the structured and methodical approach to project
work that comes with an undergraduate science degree.
So, if you’re looking to carve out a career that not only taps into your knowledge,
but also complements your personal skills and interests, a Bachelor of Science may
just be the degree for you! In this e-book, we discuss the top growth employment
markets and the reasons they’re hot; the return on your education investment; why
the field of science needs women in its ranks; and the four steps for making it in a
science profession.
introductionWhich undergraduate degree will provide you with the broadest career opportunities down the road?
Scientific progress is one essential key to our security as a nation,
to our better health, to more jobs, to a higher standard of living and
to our cultural progress.
audrey maclean, interviewed by Adrianna Gardella
for the NY Times
In our world, the innovators that drive economic growth and competition are rewarded for their efforts
the world needs stem, and stem needs workers
A s our society continues to gather momentum in its race towards a more
efficient, cleaner, safer, brighter future, so too does the demand for
knowledge, skills and abilities in the fields of science, technology, engineering
and mathematics (STEM).
In this, the knowledge economy, STEM industries fuel the engines of growth and
productivity. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts that STEM workers will be
responsible for more than 50% of our nation’s sustained economic expansion.1 Whether
they involve developing the sophisticated technology through which we communicate,
or forging medical advances in response to the aging population, or even finding ways
to conserve our planet, STEM jobs are critical to our national competitiveness – they are
the jobs of the future.
It follows, then, that STEM is one of the fastest-growing occupational categories in the
developed world with science careers rewarding professionals with salaries ranging from
$56,100 to $95,740 per year on average.*
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1 U.S. Department of Labor
Depending on your major, the skills you need to develop will vary. If you are a Biochemist major, operating scientific equipment, handling and organizing information, practical
knowledge and biology theory and statistical awareness are important. Food Scientists, on the other hand, need to possess analytical thinking skills, mathematical aptitude, and scientific and mechanical abilities.
the five reoccurring critical skills that all scientists need
to have to succeed are: oral and written communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving, technical
skills and team work.
diane m. barker, Director, Center of Excellence –
Science, Kelly Services
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global stem concentrationsAs a percentage of employment, the following countries have the
highest share of Human Resources in science and technology (HRST):
Luxembourg
SWeden
denmark
SWItzerLand
norWay
the u.S. (ranked 12th)
Source: OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard
a bachelor of Science opens gateways you’d never expect.out of the lab and into the world
Science is the ‘S’ in STEM. It constitutes 19% of the overall STEM employment
category, and of the industries that fall under the STEM umbrella, life and physical
sciences have the highest educated workforce. Nearly 40% of science workers
hold a graduate degree, which is almost double the proportion in computer, math and
engineering jobs.
a bachelor of Science degree provides graduates with the foundation for
many career paths, including:
• industry-basedjobs(biochemistry,forensics,pathology)
• informationjobs(patentattorneys,sciencejournalists)
• broaderhealthcareindustry-basedjobs(healthpolicydevelopment,public
health workers)
• biomedicalresearch
• workinthemedicalindustry
• workintheeducationandtrainingindustries
• salesjobs
• workinnon-scienceindustrieswhereasciencedegree/backgroundisrequired
• entryintoprofessionalstudy(medicine,veterinarianscience,dentistry)
Currently, the industries with the highest concentrations of science workers include:
• Scientificresearchanddevelopmentservices
• Government(Federal,StateandLocal)
• Colleges,universitiesandprofessionalschools
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the top ten life, physical and social sciences occupations by employment
are as follows:
1. ClinicalCounseling/SchoolPsychologists
2. Medical Scientists
3. EnvironmentalScientists/Specialists,includingHealth
4. Chemists
5. Biological Technicians
6. Chemical Technicians
7. Life,PhysicalandSocialScienceTechnicians
8. Natural Sciences Managers
9. UrbanandRegionalPlanners
10. Geoscientists
FirmsinthePharmaceutical,ChemicalandConsultingindustriesrelyheavilyon
thisscientifictalent.CompaniessuchasJohnson&Johnson,Pfizer,Rocheand
GlaxoSmithKline are in the business of innovation and will perpetually seek workers with
the right mix of skills and knowledge in order to remain competitive.
there is more focus on jobs in science than ever before. many of the highest paying and fastest growing professions are found in these fields.
a perfect time to get your foot in the door
There are a great many rewards to be had for the most successful science
professionals, but things can get competitive. The good news is that many of
the highest paying and most rewarding careers in science are also the fastest
growing, so it could be the perfect time to get your foot in the door.
top 10 Careers in Science according to Projected Job growth
The science careers listed below are based on projected job growth as reported by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
1. medical Scientists – These jobs involve studying diseases and health in humans in an
efforttodiscover/developnewpreventions,treatmentsandcures.Themedian
salary is $76,700 and 36% job growth is expected by 2020 – which is much higher
than average.
2. biophysicists/biochemists – These scientists are concerned with how living organisms
are affected by physics and chemistry. The median salary is $79,390 and 31% job growth
is expected by 2020.
3. geoscientists – These types of scientists aim to understand the origins, characteristics
and evolution of the Earth. The median salary is $82,500 and 21% job growth is
expected by 2020.
4. environmental Scientists – This is among the fastest growing jobs in science today.
The field of environmental science involves researching and helping to protect animals,
humans, plants and all natural resources. The median salary is $61,700 and 19% job
growth is expected by 2020.
5. hydrologists–Hydrologistsarededicatedtostudyingrainfallandbodiesofwater.
The median salary is $75,690 and 18% job growth is expected by 2020.
6. Physicists–Therearemanyspecializationswithinthefieldofphysics,fromthe
philosophical to the practical, but all are concerned with the study of motion and
matter. The median salary is $105,430 and 14% job growth is expected by 2020.
7. astronomers – Astronomers study celestial bodies and spaces, including planets,
the sun, other stars and galaxies. The median salary is $105,430 and 14% job growth is
expected by 2020 for both physicists and astronomers.
8. microbiologists – These scientists study the development of various microscopic
life forms and how they act together with their environment. The median salary for this
profession is $65,920 and 13% job growth is expected by 2020.
9. atmospheric Scientists – Atmospheric scientists are involved with monitoring the
atmosphere of the Earth and how it is behaving. The issue of global warming is an area
of focus in this field right now. The median salary is $87,780 and
11% job growth is expected by 2020 for meteorologists and atmospheric scientists.
10. materials Scientists – This career path involves studying both natural and synthetic
materials, and how they are composed, in order to improve them or create new
materials. The median salary is $69,790 and 4% job growth is expected by 2020
for chemists and materials scientists.
the returns for your commitment to an undergraduate degree in science are many.the payback on investing in a bachelor of science
A swiththeotherSTEMindustries,scienceknowledgeandqualifications
continue to top the list of the most sought-after skills from employers. STEM
degrees are generally known to show positive ‘return on investment’ to
employeesfortheeffortandcostthat’srequiredtoachievethem.
Graduates with chemistry majors who choose to work in that field, for example, will
enjoy low unemployment rates (less than 2%) and a vast array of job opportunities – and
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not just the expected vocations such as lab technicians or research assistants. Industry
employers also seek chemistry majors for positions such as technical writers, sales
representatives and even managers.
Likewise, biology majors can choose from a wide range of technician jobs in research
and development, veterinary science, biotechnology or pharmacy. They can also look
further afield and work as high school biology teachers, for example.
diversity is key to innovation and balanced decision-making.why science needs women
Even though they represent almost half of the overall U.S. workforce, women
hold fewer than 25% of STEM jobs. Almost one-third of science workers (31.4%)
areovertheageof55,comparedtolessthanone-quarter(22.2%)ofallother
workers. Employers are looking for diversity and impending retirements could open the
door to new opportunities for women in Science careers.
Women’s underrepresentation in STEM has nothing to do with their ability, interests
or skills. Instead, external factors such as culturally prescribed roles and stereotypes, a
lackofwomeninleadership/decision-makingroles,andorganizationalconstraintsof
academia negatively impact the diversity of the science workforce. In short, these factors
often prevent women from choosing to pursue a career in a STEM field, and hamper
their advancement when they do.
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Recently,theNationalScienceFoundationintroducedreformsaroundtheadministration
of grants, with the aim of increasing flexibility in the workplace and encouraging female
science professionals to remain in the field.
Achieving a greater proportion of women in scientific fields is essential to narrowing
the impending skills gap in STEM, and also to exposing these industries to the benefits
ofamorediverseworkforce.Organizationsknowthatdiversityiskeytoinnovationand
balanced decision-making.
4 tips for making it in a science career
1. Consider post-graduate education: Somesciencejobs(suchasaphysicist,forexample)requirepost-gradqualifications.
If you’re considering pursuing further education in the hope of increasing your
salary/employmentprospects,orstandingoutfromthecrowd,it’sworthcheckingto
ensureyouwillrealizeareturnonyourinvestment—aMaster’sdoesnotnecessarily
guarantee higher pay.
2. Create a network: Becomeinvolvedwithprofessionalorganizations.Afewyoumightconsiderinclude:
a. AssociationofClinicalResearchProfessionals
b. Drug Information Association
c. The American Chemical Society (ACS)
d. TheAmericanSocietyforClinicalPathology(ASCP)
e. InstituteofFoodTechnologists(IFT)
f. American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
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3. Work on your ‘people’ skills: Generally, employers are seeking employees with the following soft skills:
a. active listening
b. cooperation and teamwork
c. creativity/innovation
d. leadership
e. organization/attentiontodetail
f. written and oral communication
4. Stay up to date: Astheworldofworkhasadaptedtoglobalizationandongoingtechnological
innovation, to give yourself an edge in the science employment market, it’s worth
developing ‘emerging’ soft skills, such as:
a. cross-cultural competency
b. new media literacy
c. emotional/socialintelligence
d. trans-disciplinary skills
e. virtual collaboration
referenCeS
next steps for female scientists:•http://chronicle.com/article/The-Next-Step-for-Female/130717/•http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/2013/
how to use biomedical science degree:•http://www.nuhs.edu/admissions/biomedical-science/•http://www.nuhs.edu/academics/college-of-allied-health-sciences/biomedical-science/program-overview/career-opportunities/•http://www.ehow.com/how_7919076_use-bachelor-science-degree.html
bachelor of Science Career Possibilities:•http://www.exforsys.com/career-center/career-articles/bachelor-of-science-career-possibilities.html
What kind of jobs can a biology major get?•http://www.brighthub.com/office/career-planning/articles/88266.aspx
What can you do with a Chemistry degree?•http://www.csbsju.edu/Documents/Career%20Services/pdf/What%20can%20you%20do%20with%20a%20chemistry%20degree.pdf
top paying science degree:•http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/company-industry-research/most-meaningful-high-paying-jobs/article.aspx
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2012/07/09/america-desperately-needs-more-stem-students-heres-how-to-get-them/http://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/reports/documents/stemfinalyjuly14_1.pdfhttp://www.kellyocg.com/Knowledge/Infographics/US_STEM_Careers_-_Strong_Demand_Favorable_Earnings/http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13079/nsf13079.pdfhttp://www.kellyocg.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Knowledge/Infographics/The%20S%20in%20STEM%20-%20Science.pdfhttp://www.kellyocg.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Knowledge/Infographics/The%20S%20in%20STEM%20-%20Science.pdfhttp://www.kellyservices.com.pr/templates/pages/2ColumnRightWeighted.aspx?id=2147498569http://www.csbsju.edu/Documents/Career%20Services/pdf/What%20can%20you%20do%20with%20a%20chemistry%20degree.pdfhttp://www.brighthub.com/office/career-planning/articles/88266.aspxhttp://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191042.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191021.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193022.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes194091.htmhttp://www.kellyservices.com.pr/templates/pages/2ColumnRightWeighted.aspx?id=2147498569http://www.slideshare.net/fullscreen/thetalentproject/why-women-can-gain-the-edge-in-stem-careers/2http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12584/nsf12584.htmhttp://chronicle.com/article/The-Next-Step-for-Female/130717/http://theconversation.com/so-seriously-why-arent-there-more-women-in-science-2917
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Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a leader in providing workforce solutions.
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about the author
DIANE BARKER is director, Americas Product Group, Scientific for Kelly
Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB), a leader in providing workforce
solutions, headquartered in Troy, Michigan. Ms. Barker is responsible for
brand management, product strategies, and development of innovative
scientific workforce solutions in the Americas for Kelly Scientific
Resources, a specialty service of Kelly Services®. In addition to working for Kelly® for over
20 years, Ms. Barker has an extensive experience in workforce solutions consulting with many
Fortune 500 companies. Prior, Ms. Barker was the Midwest regional director of Kelly Scientific
Resources. In this role, Ms. Barker held a variety of sales and operations responsibilities within
the Midwest region. Ms. Barker holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Louis University.