Microbiology Laboratory Technician is a career in biology that requires one to possess a college degree. Biology as a science deals with living organism and all that entails the life of the living things as well as their functioning. Microbiology as a major branch of biology involves microscopic living organisms. The study of microbiology involves learning how this microscopic organisms influence the life of other living things such as human beings. Disciplines with deal with the study of bacteria, parasites as well as viruses among others, make up the undergraduate study of microbiology. A Microbiology Laboratory Technician is expected to study the following branches of microbiology: Bacteriology, phycology Mycology, prasitology, Protozoology, Immunology as well as virology. As an undergraduate student one must study the just mentioned disciplines of microbiology. They involve the study of bacteria, algae, fungi, parasites, protozoa, the immune system and viruses respectively. On top of the above qualifications experimental lessons are key elements to this course as it entails laboratory tests as well as research. One should learn how to execute laboratory duties such as serial dilutions and microbial plating among other procedures that are important in the laboratory for research purposes.
For one to qualify for a job as a Microbiology Laboratory Technician, there specific academic qualifications that need to be attained; the most fundamental, one must be a holder of a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. One must have an experience of at least two years in a field of microbiology which is also considered as a full year in college undertaking a major on full time basis as an equivalent. One should also be to perform laboratory procedures with experience in “aseptic technique, dilutions, and plating” (Kathleen 1). The ability to execute basic mathematic calculations is also a crucial qualification as the laboratory job involves performing calculations on concentrations, ratios among others.
A microbiology lab technician undergraduate student has a range of internship and job opportunities while undertaking the degree program. This will help prepare and train students the student for a future a career in the field. According to Kathleen, “An undergraduate student can become involved in research. Many researchers welcome students into their research laboratories, especially during the summer, and there are many programs to support research internships” (1). A Microbiology Laboratory Technician is more of research and any student pursuing to have a career in the cause is required to gain experience in the research field.
Internship program provide a student with the ground to evaluate themselves on the ability to work on a practical environment without supervision and still give desired work. During the research, an internship a student is able to evaluate him and determine if they are able match their personality with the research career as there are other fields a student can get a job such as the healthcare sector. Kathleen further explains that, “summer undergraduate research opportunities vary from year to year; an internet search on ‘biology undergraduate summer research’ will identify current opportunities” (1). Internships involves research laboratories in industries such has agriculture, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals. It also involves the private and government research institutions such as; “National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, United States Department of Agriculture, or military health research laboratories” (Kathleen 1).
In addition to academic qualifications, there are interpersonal qualifications that one is expected of if they are to land a job in a microbiology related laboratory. These include; the ability to communicate effectively as well as pay attention to the details. He is expected to work independently as well as be able to work in a team as research in the laboratory requires such capabilities. One should be open to leaning new ideas, make record, do different tasks at the same time as well as follow instructions.
Work Cited
Kathleen, Eyster M. "Career counseling: 101+ things you can do with a degree in biology." Advances in Physiology Education. N.p., 2007. Web. 5 May 2013.
