Alternative Science Careers

Getting started with becoming a dental hygienist requires dedication to a minimum of two years of training. The person who chooses this profession should be one who is patient and caring. This is a health care field that many people have a natural aversion and fear of. Coaxing a patient into relaxing may be a challenge.

A hygienist has various duties and what those exact duties are depend on the state they will work in. They review medical histories, educate patients on proper brushing, flossing and gum care and discuss what foods affect teeth negatively. They will remove the plaque or tartar on teeth, and clean and polish teeth. Sealants and fluorides may also be applied to prevent cavities.

Hygienists may take x-rays and develop them and access and test the mouth looking for anything abnormal. In some states they can administer anesthetics, place and remove fillings and prepare temporary fillings. They can also periodontal dressings and polish metal restorations.

Private dental offices are where more than 90 percent of hygienists work and half of those work strictly on a part time basis. Jobs in a public health office or a school are usually full time. The dental offices will need one a few times a week, many hygienists travel from office to another. There is no boredom or monotony and the hours are flexible. Part time employees do not typically get benefits but dental care may be offered.

To get proper training requires going to college for a two year or four year degree. Certificate programs also exist. Any program chosen must be accredited and so must the school. The local dentists will state what it is accepted in the state for employment. What degree to get, will depend on the ultimate goal of where a person intends to work. A bachelors or masters degree is required for working in a government agency or a school.

To practice as a hygienist a license is required. Dental Hygienist testing consists of two tests, possibly three. The first is a written test given by the American Dental Association Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. The next is a state board that is a clinical test. The graduating student must get a patient and perform the duties of the job. Their performance is then evaluated. The third possible test will be about legal issues related to the career. Whether or not it is necessary is determined by the state.

A better than average salary can be earned. Starting salary is about $30,000 per year. The median salary after years in the profession is about $60,000. How much is actually paid depends on geographical location, experience and level of training.

This is a career that is considered one of the fastest growing. It is predicted to show a growth of 30 percent through 2016. The beginning salary is expected to increase with the increased demand. With the job growth those graduating to become a dental hygienist can feel secure in finding employment.

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The typical pathway for someone with a science or engineering degree interested in pursuing a job in industry is often to apply for a research position as a technician or scientist. Jobs in industry can be with various types of companies, including, but not limited to, biotech, pharma, chemical, medical device, and engineering firms. Many people hear of alternative careers and think that they need to pursue a job in a totally new arena. That is not the case. In fact, there is a diverse array of alternative careers for scientists for those interested in staying or pursuing a job in industry, but not particularly in research.

Some alternative careers for scientists in industry include finance, marketing, sales, investor relations, and business development.

With only a science degree, more training or further schooling may be required to land a job in one of these fields. Experience may also be necessary. One easy way to get experience is to do an internship throughout your time at school in the specific field of interest. It may also be an option to start with a job at a company as a research technician/scientist to get your foot in the door and then begin networking and making connections with those outside of research. This often is not an easy task as there may not be a lot of communication between the business and research side. Therefore, it will require intentionality on your part. Try to have an informal interview by saying that you would like to learn more about what the employees do in the rest of the company. Having the initiative to find out more and networking will aid in getting you into the area of interest. Do not be afraid to ask questions and meet new people.

Good luck.

Technorati Tags: alternative careers, biotech, industry jobs, job, medical device, pharma, research

Entering the investment community is a great career option for those looking outside the typical science careers. In particular, those with a science degree can become an equity research analyst. Equity Research Analyst Job Description: A research analyst researches macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions along with company fundamentals, as well as collects and analyzes financial information in order to make investment recommendations on stocks in specific sectors. With a science degree, the most appropriate sector to work in is the healthcare sector, which includes pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, as well as hospitals and other healthcare companies. Responsibilities include building financial models, researching industries, and communicating analysis and investment recommendations in research notes. Additionally, in the healthcare sector, responsibilities include analyzing clinical data and utilizing scientific information to make sound judgements. Within the investment industry, most analysts tend to work either for buy-side investment firms, where they research stocks for an in-house fund; or sell-side firms that write research reports for buy-side firms. Buy-side firms are investment houses that manage their own funds. In these companies, analysts research companies as they look for stocks to add to an investment fund. They also track the stocks that are in a fund’s portfolio in order to determine if the fund’s position in that stock should be sold.At a sell-side firm, analysts evaluate and compare the quality of securities in a given sector or industry. Based on this analysis, analysts make reports with recommendations on the stock, such as buy or sell. To learn more about buy- or sell-side analysts, read the article “Testing 3 Types of Analysts” by Rick Wayman. Junior Analyst: With only a science degree, it is most likely to get hired as a junior analyst. A junior analyst is an entry level position that works closely with a senior analyst. Junior analysts have similar job duties as the senior analyst, but most do not make final decisions on buying or selling stocks. Tips for Success:

• It is recommended to have some business knowledge and is suggested to take a few courses in business, economics, and accounting. There must be a general understanding of the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, as well as basic financial ratios that offer valuable snapshots of the health of an organization or business trend.

• Two recommended websites that are great tools in understanding basic investment principles and financial information are www.investopedia.com and www.fool.com.

• Begin preparing by keeping up to date on the healthcare industry in general. Read industry journals and/or look up healthcare news through google. Also, keep up to date with financial information. Read the “Wall Street Journal” and “Barron’s” to familiarize yourself with the equity industry. These are also great resources to watch for job listings.

• Get as much experience as possible while still getting your degree. Seek school year or summer internships working with an equity analyst. Most equity firms offer internship programs. It is best to speak with your business department to determine if they have a program set-up through your school. The business director should also be able to give you the contacts necessary to find a program.

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