My Daughter, the non-Doctor

This post offers some ideas about jobs you could pursue with a BS in biomedical sciences in hand, if you decided against attending medical school. The first part of this post tells my story--the second part offers some job ideas and options.

I never thought I’d have to answer the question of what to do with my biomedical science degree—I had always envisioned myself being a doctor, from a very early age. Yet, twenty-six years (1982) ago I opened my MCAT scores, and I did start entertaining the thought that I might not go to medical school. Staring at a 11 verbal, 6 in physics, and 8 in biology, I started to rethink my long-held notion that I wanted to be a doctor trained in an elite, if not ivy-league medical school.

With a year and half to go before I graduated, I piled on more English and liberal arts credits. In 1984 I graduated with a double major in English and Biomedical Science. Not really knowing what I wanted to do next, I did what lots of undecided folks do—I applied and was accepted to graduate school. I was accepted at several schools: University of New Hampshire, University of Chicago, Indiana University, University of Illinois, and University of Delaware. I picked Delaware.

On to Graduate School, in English
While in grad school I taught several sections of freshman composition, advanced composition, and business/technical writing, while juggling a load of literature and poetry classes. My poetry teacher was W.D. Snodgrass (Pulitzer Prize for Heart’s Needle, 1960); my other modern lit profs were well-known researchers in modern and post-modern literature. I liked what I was studying, but I still had not found what I really wanted to do with my life.

A couple of faculty adjuncts in the department were working as contract editors for some of the local companies; one of these colleagues let me know about an opening for an editor/writer at DuPont. She wasn’t able to apply for the position, because it required a bachelors or masters in any science as a prerequisite. I dusted the old BS in Biomedical Science off, featured it on my resume, and got the gig as a writer, editor, and instructional designer in DuPont’s safety management services business. Not long after getting this job, I left the University of Delaware’s graduate school and started working full time at DuPont for the next 2 years.

From the late 80s onward I held various communications and training positions within DuPont, Hewlett-Packard, Unisys, IBM—all of which drew upon having a science background, in addition to using the communication and IT skills I had or developed along the way. In 1988 I went back to school part-time and finished a master’s degree in organizational development at the University of Pennsylvania. I didn’t end up being a doctor, but I did get the ivy-league degree.

The Road Not Taken?
So if you are at similar crossroads—thinking you might not go to medical/professional school, what are some options? You could just figure it out as you go, as I did, or you could be a bit more organized. Having traveled the “wing it” path, I highly recommend being a bit more organized.

Your BS in Biomedical Science is very marketable—there are lots of interesting entry-level opportunities in Research & Development, Sales/Marketing, Communications, IT, Administration, and Manufacturing offered by companies that are eager to staff recent graduates with science degrees. You could have the skills and capabilities that organizations are looking right now, or you could require just a bit more specialization (such as some work/experience in bioinformatics for example).

In general, what employers/hiring managers look for:

• Curiosity; interest in learning
• Passion for your area of specialization
• Good communications skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to work well in groups/teams
• Pragmatic application of new technology

Listed below are some possibilities—these are just options I’m familiar with because these companies are either past or current clients of my company, or I know people who work for these companies. These options just scratch the surface of the thousands of opportunities that await you.

Large employers: Life sciences companies such as DuPont often have co-op and internships offered while you are still in school, and following graduation offer “field” programs in job categories such as research, marketing, engineering, etc. These field programs take new grads and provide them with training, mentors, challenging assignments, and social events. If you search on DuPont openings, you may find several postings for "Associate Investigator." These are entry-level researcher positions ideal for Biomedical Sciences students interested in laboratory work.

AstraZeneca also has great new grad intake program in place that even shepherds you through the explore/interview process with the company.

Medical device companies: Internships and entry-level opportunities with Stryker and Medtronic are good examples of what most medical device or medical equipment companies offer to new grads.

Health insurance companies: Could be a very interesting place to be in the next few years as health insurance is reformed…! Aetna, for example, has a good entry-level/intern program.

Pharmaceutical companies: If you are outgoing, really like people, thrive on ambiguity, uncertainty, and you are confident you can fulfill large sales quotas, you could join the group of people who make LOTS of money selling pharmaceuticals to doctors and hospital groups. AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer, Lilly, and GlaxoSmithKline all have great entry-level sales programs to explore.

Non-profits: the pay often isn’t as great as it can be with larger companies, but the opportunities to make a difference may be more frequent. Health care advocacy groups such as the Wellness Community may not offer paid positions, but the volunteer opportunities in computing, communications, and community building are very rewarding. Disease advocacy groups such as American Heart Association have interesting entry-level and administrative positions and are great choices if you are interested in a particular disease/organ/system and its issues. These organizations often have interesting communications, education, and training opportunities.

Public service: Department of Health and Human Services (federal) has an “Emerging Leaders Program” that offers high potential graduates training and challenging assignments that rotate every 3 months through all the sections of the department.