Alternative Science Careers

Although this site is not a personal blog, I needed to let all of you readers know that there will be no new posts over the next several weeks as I will be traveling to Zambia, Africa on a missions trip. I will be offline for the time there, with no access to a computer, which in itself may cause a culture shock.

The trip includes our team of 14 helping out at a School/Orphanage that hosts more than 600 children from the local shanty town, followed by a ride to Macha to help at the Macha Hospital and Institute for Malaria Research. The Institute has done groundbreaking research in the fight against malaria, seeing reductions as high as 95% in childhood deaths from malaria. However,  malaria is still a main issue there, especially in the rural areas.

Enjoy the summer break and take the time to catch up on any old posts that you may have missed. There are a lot of career resource posts that may benefit anyone looking for a job, including how to write a resume/CV, interviewing tips, and how to network.

Until next time….

Technorati Tags: Africa, Kitwe, Malaria, Zambia

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Did you happen to read the last post and become interested in Brand Management at a Pharmaceutical company? If so, you may find this free e-book, Social Media for Pharma Brand Managers, to be quite interesting and useful.

The e-book was created by the FiercePharma editorial team to prepare pharma brand managers for the use of social media in marketing. Social media in marketing has become a very hot topic that you do not want to miss if you are interested in any marketing job.

This e-book specifically covers how to effectively reach consumers by meeting consumers where they live online (where they get all of their medical information online), as well as social media marketing blunders and success stories. Additionally, the e-book covers comments on the FDA’s plan to issue guidelines in regard to social media and pharma companies later this year.

Technorati Tags: Brand Management, Business, marketing, pharma, social media

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An interesting and well paying alternative career for scientists to consider is a Brand Manager at a pharmaceutical company. Brand Management equates to Marketing. Therefore, a Brand Manager is in essence a marketer of a specific brand within a company.
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Responsibilities of a Brand Manager:

Typical responsibilities as a Brand Manager include scanning the business environment, identifying market needs, performing market research, and developing marketing plans and strategies. Responsibilities specifically to the pharmaceutical or medical device industry include developing a market plan to achieve prescription, sales, and profit goals, as well as development of forecasts of brand sales, expenses, and market shares. A brand manager typically analyzes the physician demographics, reimbursement factors, and other market conditions affecting the assigned brands and therapeutic areas. Duties may also include training sales employees and providing strategic guidance.

Pharma Brand Manager Position Requirements:

Generally, a Brand Manager posting in the pharmaceutical industry requires a bachelors or masters degree in engineering, science or pharmacy with at least 5 years of relevant work experience, which may include pharmaceutical field sales, sales management, and/or marketing experience. Some positions may also require a MBA with a few years experience.

If you don’t have the experience, it is recommended to start out as an Assistant Brand Manager or Assistant Product Manager to get the experience. Many of these positions require a bachelors or masters degree but no experience. As an Assistant Brand Manager, you will have the opportunity to work with a brand group that typically includes a Brand Manager and two or three Assistant Brand Managers. This allows the opportunity to get experience in Marketing, with the intent in moving up the ladder to Brand Manager, and possibly Marketing Director.

Additionally, candidates must demonstrate good communication skills and often must be willing to travel.

Good luck in marketing yourself into marketing!

Technorati Tags: Brand Management, Brand Manager, Business, marketing, Marketing and Advertising

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Distance learning degrees and online degree programs have become popular since the internet became a household name. This has opened doors to a great opportunity for those wishing to pursue further education. But just as it is with everything new, the internet has also presented challenges and created room for sale of unscrupulous degrees and diplomas. The figures released by USA Today indicate that in 2003, over 400 diploma mills were in operation and the number was on the increase. Surprisingly, this dubious operation of degree mills seems to be thriving in an industry currently estimated at $500 million per year.

However, despite all of the negative talk about the value of distance learning degrees, many such colleges and universities offer valid online learning degrees and diplomas. The students and instructors are held to the same standard of educational excellence as those in the traditional classroom. The method is simply an alternative for the individuals who may otherwise not have an opportunity to earn a degree. Online courses, online video lectures, test examinations, and even online library facilities ensure the students truly earn their degree in higher education. Unfortunately, many potential employers have heard about the bogus degrees and tend to assume an online degree is of lesser value.

To avert the confusion, 6 accrediting agencies were set up by the National Education Board of the U.S government with the role of providing accreditation to colleges and universities who meet a set educational standard. This ultimately differentiates the legitimate colleges from the fake ones. Students enrolling in these accredited colleges can rest assured they are receiving quality and qualified education. Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is an additional accrediting body which solely exists for the purpose of providing accreditation to colleges that offer distance learning degrees. DETC is a legit body that falls under the umbrella of the US Department of Education and CHEA.

Other distinguished specialized accreditation agencies exist that are designed to accredit specific course programs. Programs that meet the set standards of excellence are given accreditation by these specialized accredit ting agencies based on area of specialization. A good example of such an accrediting agency is International Association for Management Education (AACSB) which accredits accounting related programs. Also American Health Information Management Association is tasked with accrediting health programs in different colleges. It is worthy to note that all these accreditation agencies have to be recognized by CHEA for them to be considered as legit agencies.

Why should a student be concerned about an educational institutions accreditation? Basically, it is to ensure everyone is receiving the same quality education, whether they are attending classes on campus or seeking distance learning degrees. Before granting accreditation for online degree programs, an agency assesses whether the basic requirements for support, education, and learning facilities are in place. In addition, specialized programs must submit curriculum to be evaluated, based upon the pre-determined standards of the specialty, regardless of the college or university.

Distance learning degrees from accredited institutions assure graduates, parents and prospective employers any degree earned is well deserved. The work completed has met the standards of adequately preparing people in their major area of study. Conversely, it also means colleges and universities not granted accreditation do not meet the standards of excellence required.

In the end, it is totally up to potential employers to decide whether to hire an individual with a distance learning degree. With skepticism influenced by all the bogus diploma mills, no wonder they are being more cautious. Therefore, if the accreditation is supplied by a trusted and recognized source, the application for a job is less likely to be set aside. Instead, it has a better chance to be found in the stack for a second interview or final selection for a job position.

You can find more tips, resources, and distance learning degrees and colleges you can choose for your education.

Technorati Tags: accredited college, adult education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Business, college, Distance education, Distance Education and Training Council, Distance Learning, elearning, home schooling, k12 education, learning, university

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Good job prospects and high salaries are an attractive attribute to becoming a pharmacist. Employment of pharmacists is expected to grow faster than other occupations through the year 2014, mostly due to the increasing demand for pharmaceuticals, particularly from the growing elderly population. Based on data from 2009, the median expected salary of a pharmacist in the U.S. is $108,000. Now that this has your attention, how do you become a pharmacist?

In order to become a pharmacist, you need to graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of pharmacy, which usually takes 6 years of post-secondary education. Most of the time, you must also complete an internship by working with a licensed pharmacist during or right after your schooling. You must also pass a state exam called the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), which allows you to obtain a pharmacist license.

Along with education, you also need to have a ‘compelling’ resume that will bring out your strong points and how they can help the company. The strength of a good resume should never be underestimated. As Mike Johnston, CPhT, chairman and founder of the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) says, “Many people understand the basic components of a resume. But items that are specific to pharmacy technician should also be included.” Johnston is also the author of Rx for Success: A Career Enhancement Guide for Pharmacy Technicians.

To further enhance your pharmacy job opportunities, you would be wise to network, network, network. Knowing the right people, both within and outside pharmacies (especially experts, authors, and industry leaders) can do wonders for finding a career. If you don’t have a mentor, consider having one. The right mentor can make a significant difference in your career. Finally, become a better leader. The corporate world values leadership skills like no other and leadership skills are always desirable. Be proactive and develop your leadership skills.

Technorati Tags: employment, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, salary

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Most people have at least taken a stab at writing a regular resume, but writing a government resume is somewhat different. You can’t just follow the rules of writing a standard resume and assume that it will land you that government job. These days, writing the resume on the Federal resume form is the recognized protocol; it is also called the OF-612 form. Here are some dos and don’ts when it comes to writing a federal resume

Include personal information as requested: Be certain to include your complete contact information, such as your name, address and email, reinstatement eligibility if applicable and job series and dates of previous positions as applicable.

Write school history in chronological order: Unlike standard resumes, you are going to provide your background info and skills in chronological rather than reverse chronological order. So, for education, you’ll want to start with your high school education, and move on up from there.

List any major studied, and include the total credits earned: It might be appealing to use bullet points for these paragraphs, but be careful; while bullet points are great for civilian resumes, they’re less applicable in government job applications.

Be as detailed as possible: Again, while civilian resumes focus on being brief and to the point, federal employers are going to want to know precisely what you’ve done, specifically as it relates to education and experience.

List equivalent experience: There may be times when your education doesn’t exactly fit the qualifications needed for the position, but if you’ve had experience that will qualify you nonetheless, make sure you list it.

There are a few don’ts when it comes to writing your government resume, as well.

Don’t fail to include precise information as it pertains to the job you’re applying to: you can fill in the gaps if you don’t have the necessary education for a specific job by detailing experience, but if specific information is asked for, be sure to include it.

Don’t skimp: write everything to the fullest detail possible.

Don’t make the KSA’s a copy of the resume: Write the KSA as precisely and succinctly as possible.

Federal-Resume.org provides free information about Federal government jobs.

Technorati Tags: Business, Career, careers, education, employment, federal, federal resume, Government, government resume, job, Job Openings, resume, resume writing

Has your job search gone on for months with no results? Are you finding it difficult to stay motivated? If you’re having a difficult time finding a job, and it seems like it’s taking forever, don’t worry. Finding a job is hard and demanding work. Job searching can be a daunting task, especially when it seems that another person keeps getting the job you apply to. It is this time that positive thinking is key. Keep your spirits up and maintain a positive attitude.

How and what we think can control our spirits. Think and say positive statements. Every single person has great qualities about them and skills that will allow them to be successful in a job. You are no exception!

Optimistic and positive thinking is very powerful. It gets our subconscious mind in tune to the possible successes in all our endeavors. Positive thinking creates positive energy. Those who consistently think in this manner seem to radiate with positive energy. Additionally, it puts forth ideas, allowing success in tasks that normally look quite difficult to accomplish. Finding a job is difficult, so it is important to have fresh ideas and be positive that a position will open up for you. I think oftentimes we create a box around what we are able to do with our skill set and education. We get an idea that we want to do one job and that is all we think about. In reality, there are many job opportunities out there if we start thinking outside of the box. Just think of alternative careers that are listed on this site, of which are just a small percentage of available career options.The world is limitless if we think creatively and positively.

The power of positive thinking is one reason for success. It is a mental thought or attitude that leads to desired good results. But along with positive thinking, a person must also work hard towards their goal to achieve it. Just thinking positive without putting forth effort will not land you a job. Continue to send out resumes and apply to many positions. Read journals and attend conferences in the field where you are trying to get a job. Network and talk to as many individuals as you can. This point brings back the positive thinking aspect. When speaking with others, they will note if you have a negative outlook, which may hinder the effectiveness of your networking. Additionally, positive energy is critical when interviewing.

Positive attitude is extremely important while job searching, especially during the current economic conditions where it seems that there are lots of people applying for the same job, less jobs are available, and the competition is fierce. It may take time to find a job, but think of the opportunities that it is allowing you to meet new people or learn about job industries that you never thought of before. Be encouraged each day with a bright outlook that a job is out there that will be the perfect job.

Technorati Tags: Optimism, positive thinking

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Recently, the Wall Street Journal had an article on what the hot jobs will be in the future. The article states that predicting jobs and skills that will be in demand in the future is a tricky task, but can be accomplished through the rich sources of information.

One great source of information cited is the “Occupational Outlook Handbook” by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Labor. The handbook, which is a biannual compilation, contains career trends and predictions, such as forecasts for demand, pay, and competition for over 300 jobs. The handbook has successfully predicted fast growing jobs in the past, but does not take into account all sudden events that can occur in a volatile market, such as the recent recession. Additionally, the handbook does not forecast growth in jobs that are still evolving. For example, the latest handbook contains a supplement on “green occupations” in emerging industries such as biofuels and wind energy, but it has no data on many of the jobs these industries are creating, such as fuel-cell technologists.

The hot jobs with the largest percentage growth expected through 2018 include:

* Biomedical engineers,         72% growth
* Network systems analysts,   53% growth
* Home health aides,             50% growth
* Personal and home-care aides,  46% growth
* Financial examiners,            41% growth
* Medical scientists,              40% growth
* Physician assistants,            39% growth
* Skin-care specialists,           38% growth
* Biochemists and biophysicists,  37% growth
* Athletic trainers,                 37% growth

(Source: WSJ article, “What Will Be the Hot Jobs of 2018?“, May 26, 2010 and
Labor Department “Occupational Outlook Handbook”)

Health care dominates the list of the fastest-growing jobs, capturing 11 of the top 20 slots.

Technorati Tags: health care, hot careers, hot jobs, Occupational Outlook Handbook

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The Naturejobs Career Expo (formerly The Source Event), now in its 4th year, is a dedicated science career fair that combines a dynamic exhibition with conference and workshop sessions. This year, it will be held on September 23, 2010 at The Business Design Centre in London, UK.

The event promotes the UK and Europe as great places to pursue a career in science, be it in industrial research, research organizations, or academia. Jobseekers will have the opportunity to meet with potential employers offering hundreds of genuine job openings. The employers are from public, private, national, and international companies. Jobseekers/attendees also are able to attend the conference plenary and workshop sessions, which provide a unique opportunity to meet high profile scientists and gain careers information and advice.

The Naturejobs Career Conference allows attendees to learn about their career development from speakers active in a range of disciplines, organizations, and countries. The program includes tracks for graduates and postdocs, skills workshops, and talks on careers in a range of industries.

To register:
For further details and to register, please visit: http://www.nature.com/natureconferences/careerexpo/index.html Registration was to open in April, but it seems that you have to email them to find out more information.

Technorati Tags: Career development, careers, employment, job fair

A student loan is almost inevitable these days. Colleges and universities charge so much between room and board, but students also have to worry about books, supplies, food, gas, and even class or lab fees. College can cost upwards of $40,000 per student, and parents are not always able to help, even if they want to.

The private student loans will come up as the best comprehensive financial solution to meet the education expenses such as fees, living expenses, supplies, computers, and all other associated expenses.

The Federal Stafford Loan is available to both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time at a college or university accepting federal aid. This is a need-based program in which undergraduates may borrow up to $5,500 per year in subsidized funds based on academic level and graduate level students may borrow up to $18,500 per year (up to $8,500 in subsidized funds and the remainder in unsubsidized funds). The funds are sent directly to the school and are applied to the student’s account. To ease the financial burden, payments are not required until six months after the student graduates. When looking to apply for a Stafford Loan, students should see what types of borrower benefits each lender is offering. As these student loans are all fixed at the same interest rate set by the U.S. Government, lenders are offering incentives to borrow by way of discounts, such as waived fees, rate reductions for early payment and cash back.

A Federal Unsubsidized Loan is a student loan based on no-need. Every student who meets the eligibility requirements can apply for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. There is no need for a co-signer to apply for Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans. In many cases, students also take several private student loans to meet the unexpected rise in educational expenses.

The private student loans are provided for the students, as well as parents. The parents who are interested to take out loans for the educational purpose of their children can opt for the specialized parent private loan. They can also enroll as the cosigner in the application. Private student loans are usually provided on the basis of the credit score. Parents or any well wisher, who has a good credit score, can enroll in the application as a cosigner, making it easier for approval.

The repayment period of the student loans can span up to 25 years. The duration depends on the loan amount. Small student loans have shorter repayment times and a large student loan would have a longer repayment period.

Consolidation fixes the interest rate and extends the repayment term, allowing more time to repay an often hefty federal loan debt. Consolidation may also lower your overall payment after graduation depending on your interest rates of each loan.

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• A Guide on Student Loans and Federal Government Grants (student-loans.suite101.com)

Technorati Tags: Business, finance, loans