The great thing about the Genetics Major is there is so much that you can do with it! I found a great site at the American Society of Human Genetics. There are traditional jobs (research geneticist, laboratory geneticist, genetic counselor, clinical geneticist) and non-traditional jobs (writing, policy, law, business, drug approval, government, research service). All options offer a wide variety of opportunities and interests to pursue. If you're a purist and love genetics, science, and helping people, you might love med school, or research. If you love genetics and you're great at writing and journalism, you may consider working for a scientific journal such as Nature. If you're interested in law, you may be interested in public policy, consultation, or patent law.
Here's just some information on different careers (taken from ASHG, so check there if you want more info!)
Research Geneticist: You'll normally pursue this if you are looking for a job at a research university (such as the professors here at Rutgers!) after you've done research and pursued a Ph.D. program in genetics. You may also join research in biotechnology firms.
Laboratory Geneticist: This is work as a technician in a laboratory. It doesn't require as lengthy of a degree as obtaining a Ph.D., but a B.S. or M.S. degree with sufficient knowledge of genetic techniques allows you to apply genetics to life, such as in agriculture, legal or police work, pharmaceutical development, and clinical medicine.
Genetic Counselor: Here you need a specialized degree in counseling - it requires you to have great skills with others, particularly an interest in psychology. You would be helping guide families and patients at risk for certain disorders and those who are diagnosed late in life with a late onset disorder.
Clinical Geneticist: This entails being a physician who works with patients who are suffering from genetic disorders. They often work in conjunction with a counselor, offering the clinical treatment while counselors offer support and guidance.
Writing: You can work in medical writing, such as working for a journal; writing or editing textbooks in science; or doing other forms of journalism, such as consulation (CSI has someone who comments on their scientific validity!), or writing shows for science themed media, such as Discovery Channel or Nova.
Policy: Here you would help with planning genetic policies of scientific services, taking into account the community, public health, and risk management.
Law Related: This you may work as a consultant for some of these arising genetic companies, offering help in legal issues or concerns about policy, patent law, or technology transfer.
Other: Clearly, as reading these all, there are a lot of combinations in genetics. You can minor in anthropology and study the development of a community, or Ancient Greece and research the development of science in the history of the field. Basically, genetics is such an integral part in our past, present, and future, that an application of it can be found in just about any other interest!
Here's just some information on different careers (taken from ASHG, so check there if you want more info!)
Research Geneticist: You'll normally pursue this if you are looking for a job at a research university (such as the professors here at Rutgers!) after you've done research and pursued a Ph.D. program in genetics. You may also join research in biotechnology firms.
Laboratory Geneticist: This is work as a technician in a laboratory. It doesn't require as lengthy of a degree as obtaining a Ph.D., but a B.S. or M.S. degree with sufficient knowledge of genetic techniques allows you to apply genetics to life, such as in agriculture, legal or police work, pharmaceutical development, and clinical medicine.
Genetic Counselor: Here you need a specialized degree in counseling - it requires you to have great skills with others, particularly an interest in psychology. You would be helping guide families and patients at risk for certain disorders and those who are diagnosed late in life with a late onset disorder.
Clinical Geneticist: This entails being a physician who works with patients who are suffering from genetic disorders. They often work in conjunction with a counselor, offering the clinical treatment while counselors offer support and guidance.
Writing: You can work in medical writing, such as working for a journal; writing or editing textbooks in science; or doing other forms of journalism, such as consulation (CSI has someone who comments on their scientific validity!), or writing shows for science themed media, such as Discovery Channel or Nova.
Policy: Here you would help with planning genetic policies of scientific services, taking into account the community, public health, and risk management.
Law Related: This you may work as a consultant for some of these arising genetic companies, offering help in legal issues or concerns about policy, patent law, or technology transfer.
Other: Clearly, as reading these all, there are a lot of combinations in genetics. You can minor in anthropology and study the development of a community, or Ancient Greece and research the development of science in the history of the field. Basically, genetics is such an integral part in our past, present, and future, that an application of it can be found in just about any other interest!