Thread: Question about Genetic Engineering(Genetics) Career.

I'd like a career under something that falls under Genetic Engineering>Genetics
I'm really interested in DNA modification. But I'm kind of confused on what to take in college. I was looking into Genetics>Geneticist and it seemed like it was more medical. I think what I'm looking for falls under more Biotechnology maybe? I'm really confused.If someone could guide me that would be great

It sounds like something you would need to go to graduate school to do, so you might be okay to just do your undergraduate studies in something relevant (biology, biochemistry, etc) and then figure out the rest from there.

Originally Posted by icykid298

I'd like a career under something that falls under Genetic Engineering>Genetics
I'm really interested in DNA modification. But I'm kind of confused on what to take in college. I was looking into Genetics>Geneticist and it seemed like it was more medical. I think what I'm looking for falls under more Biotechnology maybe? I'm really confused.If someone could guide me that would be great

The thing is, I understand your confusing at this point. I was also once in your place...

Bachelor Degrees don't technically mean that you will be doing exactly what you have majored in. Specially in science and engineering, you could potentially major in many different things but get to the same goal in Graduate school.

That being said, you could do Genetics as a BS or some other type of science and get into Genetic Engineering in grad school and follow that research/project throughout the rest of your career.

***My spelling and grammar sucks, I'm typing on my phone.. thus I can careless and I got a paper tomorrow so I really can careless lol.

It sounds like you might be looking for molecular biology. There are many biochem & molecular biology degree programs.

Do pay attention to your choice though, not every BS can be a gateway to your desired field. I discovered, after completing my BA in English literature, that I was facinated by Urban Planning. I even took a grad level course in central place theory. Loved it. But entry requirements for all Urban planning degree programs were a Bachelor's in architecture. I could afford neither the time nor the money to get a second bachelor's.
Turns out that a BA in English literature is an excellent background for what I did with my life. I am a nursing supervisor for a psychiatric hospital.

Biotechnology can be a pretty apt major. Your best bet might be to find someone working in the field and get an idea of how they got to where they are. I'm doing a biotechnology unit and it's focused on the techniques involved, including genetically modified organisms, and it also involves meeting up with people who work in the industry.

Originally Posted by Curiosity

Biotechnology can be a pretty apt major. Your best bet might be to find someone working in the field and get an idea of how they got to where they are. I'm doing a biotechnology unit and it's focused on the techniques involved, including genetically modified organisms, and it also involves meeting up with people who work in the industry.

Thats what I'm confused at,I thought Biotechnology(AAS degree) would be the perfect thing because I want something that involves genetically modifying the DNA or involves "Genetically modified organisms" I'd like to work for a Company in the future and see if I could transfer the job over to some other country in the future.

Originally Posted by Sealeaf

Do pay attention to your choice though, not every BS can be a gateway to your desired field. I discovered, after completing my BA in English literature, that I was facinated by Urban Planning. I even took a grad level course in central place theory. Loved it. But entry requirements for all Urban planning degree programs were a Bachelor's in architecture. I could afford neither the time nor the money to get a second bachelor's.
Turns out that a BA in English literature is an excellent background for what I did with my life. I am a nursing supervisor for a psychiatric hospital.

Thanks Sealeaf, I'm trying to make sure I'm getting into the right things.

I just went through the descriptions of the majors offered at my university and career prospects. There's a lot of majors that apparently lead to a career in biotech. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Cell & Developmental biology, Immunology. A biotechnology major doesn't mention working in the biotech field :P which is hilarious.

I went on a field trip with my class to a facility that actually went through what majors tend to do what jobs at the place. While they all can work in biotech, they work at different stages in the process. I really wish I could remember exactly which roles the majors fulfil but I can't

Though I do recall, that if you want to be working on actually culturing and developing the cell line of GMOs then cell and developmental biology might be more appropriate. If however you want to work at other stages (depending on the application of the GMOs), you might be best off sending a nice friendly email to a research institute that does the sort of things you're interested in and seeing if there's a trend with people's majors and their roles there.

Originally Posted by Curiosity

I just went through the descriptions of the majors offered at my university and career prospects. There's a lot of majors that apparently lead to a career in biotech. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Cell & Developmental biology, Immunology. A biotechnology major doesn't mention working in the biotech field :P which is hilarious.

I went on a field trip with my class to a facility that actually went through what majors tend to do what jobs at the place. While they all can work in biotech, they work at different stages in the process. I really wish I could remember exactly which roles the majors fulfil but I can't

Though I do recall, that if you want to be working on actually culturing and developing the cell line of GMOs then cell and developmental biology might be more appropriate. If however you want to work at other stages (depending on the application of the GMOs), you might be best off sending a nice friendly email to a research institute that does the sort of things you're interested in and seeing if there's a trend with people's majors and their roles there.

I don't think thats it thanks anyways this is really confusing because is such a broad area

It is a broad area. You need to be more specific with what you want to do.

Originally Posted by Curiosity

It is a broad area. You need to be more specific with what you want to do.

I'm not sure how to do be more specific I'd like to deal with GMO'S and I'm interested in DNA Manipulation/Modification,and I'd like to work for a facility or company that hires people like this. I thought a undergraduate degree in BioTechnology(Associate of Applied Sciences) would work I'm still looking into it but I find nothing that specifically does this or deals with it.
All my CC offers which I think would be close to it is AS of Biology or AS of Science or AAS BioTech than I would have to transfer to a Uni

Well there you go, you want to specifically deal with the manipulation of the DNA, not anything else. As far as I know, a genetics major would be appropriate. But like I said, find a biotech company and actually email them with your question about what qualifications are required for that role.

Originally Posted by Curiosity

Well there you go, you want to specifically deal with the manipulation of the DNA, not anything else. As far as I know, a genetics major would be appropriate. But like I said, find a biotech company and actually email them with your question about what qualifications are required for that role.

Thanks I'll e-mail,and I found what I'm looking for but now I need to see if any of these Biotech companies would allow you to transfer your job out of state....I have a long-term goal to move to Japan.

Find one that is multinational with a facility in Japan, problem solved.