Alternative Science Careers

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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

Really enjoy food? Have a science background? Search no more- This may be your vocational calling. Become a scientist working with food flavoring.

All foods are characterized by their flavor based upon the flavor response. The flavor response occurs when receptors are activated as food is eaten, which sends signals to yield the sensory perceptions. The flavor response is a combination of sensory stimuli that includes aromatic stimuli, taste components (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami), chemical heat properties, and texture. The food industry utilizes their scientific knowledge on these flavor components to incorporate flavors into food products. There are many job opportunities open to those with science degrees in flavoring within the food industry. Jobs are available from developing the flavors, to getting the flavors into a final marketable product. Jobs include flavorists, analytical chemists, flavor-delivery specialists, and product developers.

Flavorists work to identify flavor characteristics and prepare a compound or reaction flavor derived from natural plants. They usually specialize in one of the general flavor categories, such as savory, sweet, salty, fruit, etc. To prepare a specific flavor, they may utilize flavor chemicals, essential oils, essences, or flavor extracts. After a specific flavor is prepared, it undergoes several reformulations to achieve the best character.

Supporting the flavorists are analytical chemists with expertise in isolation and identification of flavor components. They often use gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers to identify the structure of the
unique flavor chemical and its sensory strength. There are also synthetic chemists who synthesize and commercially manufacture specific flavor chemicals, which are called artificial flavors.

Once a flavor is developed, it has to be delivered to the product developer in a form that can be incorporated into a food or beverage manufactured commercially. This is where the flavor-delivery specialist comes in. The flavor-delivery specialist uses encapsulation technologies, material science, and physical chemistry to ensure that the flavor can be used in foods. This is often done in collaboration with the food manufacture and those working as product developers. Working in product development entails creating new products that the consumer wants.

Job opportunities as flavorists, analytical chemists, flavor-delivery specialists, and product developers are available in various types of companies, including flavor and food companies. Job titles may not be exact, but may include flavor scientist, scientist in flavor creation, scientist for flavor applications, and sensory scientist.

Some of the major flavor companies include Firmenich, Mastertaste, CHR Hansen, Senomyx, and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. Many of the food and beverage companies also hire directly for flavoring.

Current job postings are available for Kraft Foods, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, McCormick & Company, Pepsi, General Mills, CPS Inc, and Kellogg Company. There are many other job postings as well on most of the major job search sites.

Have fun working by creating new flavors for food.

Technorati Tags: flavor scientist

The growing consumerism and a fast paced lifestyle have led to a greater demand for packed and processed food. The challenge most food processing units face today is to produce food items which contain minimal amount of chemicals and preservatives yet have optimum appeal and shelf-life. And this has raised the demand for food technologists in the food processing sector.

Food technology has become a lucrative career option for the talented youngsters, thanks to a growing demand for packaged and processed food.

What does a food technologist do?

The primary job of a food technologist is to check the raw materials, maintain clean and hygienic conditions and quality of the food. They examine the food, conduct checks for contamination and adulteration and certify the nutritional value of food. The food technologist should devise improved techniques for processing, conservation and preservation of food items. They must also analyze current consumer trends and latest technologies to develop new product ideas.

What is food technology?

Food technology is the study of production, storage, preservation, canning, packaging and distribution of food products. It covers all areas of food processing and includes all types of foods like meat, fruits, vegetables, cereals, fish, egg, milk, spices etc.

Required skills:

Aspiring food technologists should have a scientific bend of mind, power of observation, intelligence and an interest in health and nutrition. They must be able to work well as part of a team and must have effective communication skills. A genuine interest in the scientific and technological development of food and high standards of cleanliness are other required traits.

Eligibility:

Candidates who have studied physics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology at the 10+2 level can seek admission to short term certificate and diploma courses in food technology. Students who have done B.Sc in physics, mathematics, biology and chemistry or a B.tech in food technology can seek admission to an M.Sc course in food technology. Those who have done graduation in home science, nutrition, dietetics and hotel management are also eligible for higher studies in food technology.

Job prospects:

Food technologists with professional qualification have ample job opportunities. You can find jobs with food processing companies, food research laboratories, hotels, restaurants, educational institutions, government bodies and catering establishments. Public sector undertakings employ food technologists as food inspectors or health inspectors. With experience, one can work as a freelance consultant or health doctor in school/colleges. The sector also offers great entrepreneurial opportunities in the form of dynamic delivery networks and home catering services.

The author is the editor of dailylearningtips.com, a website that provides information on careers and courses and practice tests for UPSC, MBA, TOEFL and Bank tests.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manjusha_Nambiar
http://EzineArticles.com/?Careers-in-Food-Technology&id=1946872

Technorati Tags: food science

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I came across a blog entitled “Alternative Careers- Genetic Counselor” from the Science Magazine Career blog so I decided to find out more information.

So what exactly is a genetic counselor?

A genetic counselor is a health professional with experience in medical genetics and counseling. Most enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health, and social work.

Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects, genetic disorders, or those that may be at risk for inherited genetic conditions. Counselors identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and review available options with the family. Genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling, serve as patient advocates, and refer patients to community or state support services. They serve as educators and resource professionals for other healthcare professionals and the general public. Many are involved in research activities related to medical genetics and genetic counseling.

I then interviewed a genetic counselor that specializes in cancer. Here are the questions and answers:

• What degree do you need to become a genetic counselor? How do you become a genetic counselor?
  

A master’s degree- graduation from an accredited Master’s program in Genetic Counseling is required.

• What does a typical day look like?

Triage of referrals, case preparation, seeing patients, documentation of visits, insurance issues, giving lectures to students, residents, fellows, attendings, nurses and the general population, research activities including publication of findings. 

• What do you most enjoy/not enjoy?  

I most enjoy meeting with the patients.  I least enjoy doing the dictations and dealing with insurance companies.

• What is the average starting salary?

Mean salary for genetic counselors with 1-4 years experience is $53,666 per NSGC Professional Status Survey 2008.

• Are their internships/shadowing programs out there?  

Yes, contact a local genetic counselor to inquire about a shadowing opportunity. (To locate this person, click on the website below, click on “Find a Counselor” under quick links on the left column, and then you can search by your zip code or institution.)

• Where can you find out more information if interested?

www.nsgc.org

The website listed above is for the National Society of Genetic Counselors and has a lot of very useful information on it, including possible employment opportunities. Another great website is the American Board of Genetic Counseling- www.abgc.net

This site has a general overview of what genetic counseling is plus it includes information about graduate programs that offer genetic counseling, coursework overview, and online programs.

Technorati Tags: Alternative Career, Genetic Counselor