4 Important Reasons Why You Might Want A Degree In Genetics
It’s our genes that contain crucial information regarding our inherited traits, physical attributes, and inherited health conditions if any. Genetics is the study of genes and hereditary that goes to a molecular level. Whenever a change occurs due to a disease or a physiological process, the genetic makeup is affected. Besides studying genes, their function, and hereditary traits, genetics focuses on providing essential genetic information that could potentially help create better treatments, and manage diseases effectively. Let’s read on to know the reasons to pursue a degree in genetics and explore the career options that can be adopted after graduation.
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1. Developing Expertise
You will always have higher chances of finding jobs related to genetics as hands-on lab work and practical experience gained through internships polishes up your field-related skills. Several institutes allow you to enroll in courses that provide a year of work experience in the industry. Therefore, explore your options to pick the appropriate industries you would like to work at after completing your studies. Genetics is a field that will stay relevant for the foreseeable future. It serves as the basis for cutting-edge research carried out to study and find treatments for certain medical conditions. Nowadays, most pharmaceuticals and biotechnology labs are focusing on diverting their resources on genetic research to find the cure for neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Opportunities like this will always be available, all you have to do is build your expertise in genetics, get familiar with the relevant industry, and start your journey to move up the career path.
2. Opportunities in Healthcare
Genetics is a major that is closely related to the healthcare sector. Therefore, your typical employers would be mostly research labs, hospitals, and pharmaceuticals. Nowadays, there is a lot of competition between students trying to pursue a career related to healthcare. Surprisingly, in the field of genetics, you might find fairly less competitiveness but still, it is necessary to pass the pre-college admission exams set forth by colleges and educational institutions. Students considering pursuing a career in genetics should focus on studying biology according to the syllabus. The best way to prepare is by finding an ap biology recommended textbook that will get you familiar with the course and help you understand the fundamentals from a detailed perspective. If you are having trouble studying, try making a schedule, partner up with a friend preparing for a similar college entrance exam, or try similar strategies for better results. Furthermore, you can easily continue postgraduate studies in which most of the work is related to research which is essential for better understanding and usage of research outcomes.
3. Added Skills
Besides facilitating you in understanding the subject in a better manner, a genetics degree can sharpen your skills that you can easily add to your CV. Throughout your studies, you will naturally obtain skills in scientific protocol, working in the laboratory, and the ability to carry out genetic research-based lab practices. Here are some key skills that can be used in virtually every industry which you also acquire alongside studies:
- Analysis, representation, and evaluation of scientific data in an easy-to-understand manner.
- Improved computing skills which include basic and advanced numeric problems.
- Logical thinking capacity improves by many folds.
- The ability to tackle problems with a professional attitude.
- Time management skills and a broader awareness of how workspaces operate.
- Understanding of teamwork and the right attitude to carry yourself towards common goals.
4. Alternate Options
Besides pursuing a career in the healthcare sector, you can also avail yourself of the opportunity to work in the food industry, at companies working on beauty products, and research-based companies. As genetics is a degree related to medical knowledge, opting for further work or study in relatable majors can also work. The options you have include agriculture, horticulture, biological sciences, biomedical sciences, environmental research, business, finance, and even teaching. The best way when selecting your career path is to give time to figure out your interests, priorities, and skills. After you are done, consider each option and evaluate its pros and cons. Over time, you will naturally develop a sense of understanding for the career path which is most suitable for you.
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According to statistics, most graduates with a genetics degree are employed, out of which, a majority follow to pursue a career related to science. Others opt for careers like HR, business, customer service, and education. Genetics is a science major that will open up every possible opportunity for you to consider. Therefore, never decide in a hurry and always consider each option that is presented to you along the way so that you can make the right choices.
