Life after university - Assignment Example

Life after The field of molecular biology and genetics is changing very fast because new discoveries are being made all the time, and new techniques are being devised to turn these discoveries into useful applications. I think, therefore, that single most important skill that an employer will be looking for in these fields is the ability to absorb new information and use it flexibly as innovation comes along. A Graduate employee should also have a very thorough grounding in basic science and a good knowledge of laboratory techniques and health and safety.

The ability to work independently on a project is essential, because there can be deadlines and targets, and often people are busy with their own tasks and not able to give constant advice. An employee should, however, also be able to work together with other colleagues and all kinds of stakeholders and clients. Fitting into the rules and styles of the organisation is essential so that work relationships run smoothly and without any conflicts. There are obvious avenues of employment in the forensic science area, which would involve a Graduate employee learning about the law and keeping up to date with protocols for genetic testing, for example, as well as working on samples and preparing reports for different context in the criminal justice system.

Excellent writing skills are needed for situations where scientific analysis has to be passed on to relevant investigatory or judicial authorities. There are occasions, too, where scientific experts have to give verbal reports, and so confidence in public speaking is a useful asset. Often it is thought that the forensic science domain is all about catching criminals, but in fact much of the work is also about proving the innocence of suspects, or simply understanding more about any kind of scene, whether it be a crime scene, an archaeological dig, or any other environment.

I would be interested also in some of the non-human forensic science careers, such as for example work in a laboratory for wildlife conservation which may involve testing for species diversity and habitat erosion, or working with endangered species to ensure that healthy populations are maintained. Molecular biology specialists also can choose from many careers related to medicine, for example working in the testing of drugs or increasingly in the manufacture of drugs which are tailored to the individual genetic make-up of the patient.

I am interested particularly in the area of cancer research and treatment, and I think that in the next twenty years there will be many opportunities both for research positions, and for lab work in hospitals, as the patient’s own individual genetic material is increasingly being used as part of the treatment process. An advantage of going on a placement is that it allows a student to understand more about the reality behind different careers available. It adds time to the total period of study, and if it is an unpaid placement, it can also considerably increase the cost.

Despite these disadvantages, however, placements are extremely valuable as a way of building curriculum vitae which has practical achievements in it, as well as purely academic marks. Because of this extra experiential dimension, placements enhance the employability of a Graduate in Molecular biology and Genetics.