Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Explore biology by taking courses in the field and taking on laboratory assignments, which teach basic techniques that working biologists use in their work. Get a job as a laboratory assistant, working under the direction of a biology professor and assisting with the laboratory sections of courses. A part-time or summer job in a laboratory that conducts cellular and molecular biology research is a good way to gain valuable experience. Graduate students often find work on research projects conducted by their school. Get involved in professional associations for molecular and cellular biologists, such as the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Attend conferences and events to meet others in the field and learn about career opportunities. Find event listings at https://www.asbmb.org/meetings-events. Another way to explore is through student science training programs, which enable qualified high school students to spend the summer conducting research that is supervised by a scientist. This also provides the opportunity to conduct informational interviews with molecular and cellular biologists to learn more about their work and how they got started in their career. Ask your school's career services office for help with finding training programs and setting up these interviews.