Are you interested in being a part teams who … find cures or create new medications or design new devices? In biotech, you can help improve people's lives, extend lives and even save lives!
Think about working in the BIOTECHNOLOGY industry...and in Maryland it is a great place to be. Check out below to learn about exciting new careers, especially in Baltimore's west side, at the UMB BioPark.
#15 Biotechnology is already used to treat diabetes, to test for AIDS and other diseases, to use DNA for improved criminal investigation, and to clean up oil spills.
BIOTECH IN MARYLAND FOCUS ON: UM BioPark
WHERE YOU CAN WORK
WHAT YOU CAN BE SHORTAGE / NEED AREAS
WHY WORK IN BIOTECH? HOW CAN YOU PREPARE NOW?
BIOTECH IN MARYLAND
Maryland is also home to numerous universities and innovative educational opportunities for students of all ages interested in biotechnology.
Why so much focus on biotechnology education in Maryland? There are over 400 private sector biotech companies in the state! Companies are spread all over the state but the majority, 55%, are located in Montgomery County, including the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center, a research park dedicated to biosciences. Another 23% are in the greater Baltimore area and 11% are in Frederick County.
Maryland is also home to several BioParks, centers that house numerous biotech companies, research facilities and education and training programs.
FOCUS ON: University of Maryland BioPark
The University of Maryland BioPark is one the state's newest and largest centers devoted to biotechnology. It houses 11 biotech companies in 1.2 million square feet of laboratory and office space. A new building under construction will hold the Maryland Forensic Center. The BioPark also has a library with over 350,000 volumes, a cafe, conference centers, and athletic center. When construction is complete, over 2,500 people will work in the BioPark.
One of the main goals of the BioPark is to integrate research and practice; it's a place where you can work AND learn.
Both the University of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College offer programs and courses here and there are numerous programs to involve students in learning and internships. There is even a job training program at the Poppleton Village Center where residents can be trained as lab technicians through an intensive program at the BioTechnical Institute of Maryland.
BCCC is moving its Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical and Pre-Pharmacy programs to the BioPark as well. It is adding a Medical Laboratory Tech transfer program there as well. Approximately 194 students will be taking BCCC courses at the BioPark by 2012. Learning right next to professionals who are working in bioscience has many benefits, including opportunities for team teaching, guest lectures, mentoring, internships and recruiting.
In the future, the BioPark plans to offer a number of workforce certification and training programs where students can study to be a lab technician, cell culture technician, or animal research technician, and can study sterilization and glassware management. They are also developing a 4 + 2 + 2 program with Vivien T Thomas Medical Arts Academy, BCCC and UMD.
Learn more about the opportunities available at the UM BioPark!
WHERE YOU CAN WORK
According to the MDBio definition: “A bioscience company is one that is biology-driven and its activity substantially involves research, development, or manufacture of: biologically active molecules, devices that employ or affect biological processes, biological information or resources, or software designed specifically for biological applications” (Bioscience Steering Committee Report, 2008)
Here are just a few of the over 400 BioTech companies in Maryland:
Acidophil LLC
Alba Therapeutics Corp
AstraZeneca
Avalon Pharmaceuticals
Battelle Science & Technology Center
BD Diagnostic Systems
Bechtel National Inc
Center of Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases
FASgen Inc
IRAZU BioDiscovery LLC
SAIC
Shire US Manufacturing
SNBL Clinical Pharmacology Center Inc (Japanese)
In addition to all of the private companies, a number of government-sponsored agencies are located or have offices in MD:
National Institute of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Standards (NIS)
US Food and Drug Administration
US Department of Agriculture - Beltsville
There are hundreds of jobs available in biotechnology. For example, you can be a...
Some general areas you can work in include...
According to a Bioscience Steering Committee Report in 2008, the greatest need areas in biotechnology are:
Also, it's important to know that most biotechnology companies are small start-ups that hire people who are highly educated and highly skilled (you have to be prepared!). As they grow, they'll need a larger workforce with diverse skills.
You might want to work in biotech if...
As stated in a 2008 report by the Bioscience Steering Committee, “The environment inside a successful biotech company is characterized by high standards, intense & fast-paced activities, highly rewarding, science and technology applied on a large scale, highly regulated, “high tech and high touch” and “team based everything."”
You know how new phones, computers, mp3 players and other technologies seem to come out constantly? The biotechnology industry changes rapidly as well as new technology is created and older technology becomes obsolete. For this reasons, experts say that focusing on developing competencies is more important than preparing for a specific job titles. The average bioscience worker will change or shift their career 5-7 time in their life! Competencies are general areas of expertise, like being a genetics specialist or a computer software development specialist. As science and technology evolve, you can take these competencies with you into new fields and specialties.
So what should you focus on now? Remember S.T.E.M.: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These are areas you can excel in while still in high school that will allow you to study other technical areas as you move forward in your education and career.
Some specific skills you can develop include:
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