Laboratory Technicians and Technologists

Hands-on laboratory experience is recommended for aspiring lab professionals. You can obtain this experience through laboratory classes in high school and college, and by participating in internships at biotechnology employers.

Laboratory technicians and technologists must have good manual dexterity, the ability to follow instructions, and a tolerance for working under pressure. They should also like solving problems, have good computer skills (especially with database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs), be able to work both as a member of a team and independently, and have good organizational and communication skills (especially writing skills because their laboratory notes may be considered legal documents). Some employers may require workers to lift up to 50 pounds.

Laboratory technicians and technologists should be detail oriented in order to carry out laboratory procedures accurately. They must have a thorough knowledge of how to operate sophisticated laboratory equipment and understand the fundamentals of how to carry out experiments. Laboratory work must be written up by technicians in clear, concise reports that can be presented to physicians.