Genetics

Your specific knowledge of genetics following your degree will be important if you are intending to pursue a career in a genetics-related job (e.g. scientific research).  Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Prospects

Many genetics graduates are keen to use their degree knowledge directly in science-related careers, in particular in industry (especially the areas of pharmaceuticals, agriculture and biotechnology), the health service and academia. Many also use their skills in unrelated fields such as business, finance and retail.

In 2010, six months after graduation, almost 40% of new genetics graduates had entered full-time employment (including self-employment). Of those in employment, 17% entered the professional and technical occupations, such as laboratory technician, 14% were working in scientific research and analysis, while 6% were in general business management.

Where are the jobs?

Most careers relating to genetics are based in the health services, so employers tend to be hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and universities. As genetic-based technology develops, opportunities arise in food and drink companies, health and beauty care, biotechnology and research and consultancy companies. The government-sponsored research councils have laboratories which recruit scientists, but usually following a higher degree.

Graduates may consider opportunities related to biological sciences, e.g. biotechnology companies, agricultural and horticultural companies.

For an insight into employment areas investigate:

• Science - encompasses a huge range of occupations, including product and process development, research and development, manufacturing and teaching;
• Health - includes hospital, medical and other human health activities, such as laboratories services, across a range of organisations within the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Research scientist (medical)/Research scientist (life science)
• Scientific laboratory technician
• Counsellor (NHS/private practice)
• Clinical cytogeneticist
• Clinical molecular geneticist
• Clinical scientist, histocompatibility and immunogenetics
• Clinical research associate

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Medical sales representative
• Physiological scientist

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk