Microbiology is a vast field, and it is easy to feel confused without someone to guide you. Since the field is so diverse, it’s not just stumping for the new entrants but can also make the veterans question their next career move.
In this article, we shall communicate with you the 7 career paths that you can pursue as a microbiologist. Remember, the field is vast, and with ample research, you can find hundreds of areas to work in. The below mentioned are just the prominent areas where your service can prove to be priceless:
Biotechnologists
If gene manipulation is what interests you, then you would love to be a biotechnologist.
Studying the genes of microorganisms promises great results for global problems. For instance, the global issue of water pollution can be solved via gene manipulation. In fact, many researchers are working on finding solutions to look for solutions to global waste problems.
As a biotechnologist, you can even be a significant member of the pharmaceutical community. So the options are practically endless when you step into this field.
Food Scientist and Technologist
Food companies are always looking for microbiologists to make their products come at par with the safety standards. This is a lucrative field to pursue.
Even if you don’t work for multinationals, you can also try and discover solutions to the world’s hunger problems. Millions of people starve because food isn’t available for them. A food scientist and technologist can also work to look for solutions in this domain.
Immunologists
The human immune system is deeply impacted by an individual’s genetic makeover. Scientists are trying hard to determine how genetic manipulations can increase the overall immunity of human beings.
The current pandemic showed us the importance of having a strong immune system. As a microbiologist, you can pursue this field and try to find solutions that can make humans resistant to potential pandemics and harmful viruses.
Personal Care Product and Cosmetic Scientists and Technologists
The skincare and beautification products that people use are tested for safety before they are let out in the markets for consumers. You can choose to be a part of the beauty industry and ensure product safety.
There can be disease-causing microorganisms in the products, for instance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As a microbiologist for a beauty company, your task would be to make the products safe for usage.
Sales
This one can be a little out of the routine, but it’s very relevant to the field of microbiology. As a professional, you’d understand the field better than anyone else. That way, you can help the clients understand any product better and make better sales for a company.
For instance, if you work in the sales field for a pharma company, you’ll know the product better than anyone else. You’ll have the edge over all others competing with you because you can tackle any question better compared to a salesperson who’s not a microbiologist.
Teacher or a professor
What better than taking the knowledge and giving it back to the students. Experienced microbiologists are always in demand in educational institutions. If you can top off your degree with professional work experience in various industries, you can easily become a valuable asset for any institution.
The profession allows flexible timings and offers great money as well to the right person. Teach the students about Tissue Culture Plates, Erlenmeyer Flasks, and other equipment that help researchers get results in the field of microbiology.
Virologist
This one is a hot field that got highlighted in the wake of the recent pandemic. WHO and other health bodies also predict new pandemics and epidemics brewing1. If you are looking for some challenge and want to do something groundbreaking, then virology might be the path to travel upon.
Final Words
Microbiology is a promising field with lots of branches to potentially pursue. If you are a new entrant in the field or a veteran who’s hit the ceiling in their profession, you may choose to branch out into one of the above-mentioned fields.
George Alberti, Noncommunicable diseases: tomorrow’s pandemics, https://www.scielosp.org/article/bwho/2001.v79n10/907-907/en/
