Biotechnology | Crimson Career Guide

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology is an enormous and ever-burgeoning field containing a number of opportunities for graduate degrees to be applied. For positions in pharmaceutical development or scientific research, degrees like a PhD may be necessary. Similarly, opportunities in regulatory or legal affairs may require a law degree, while employment in consulting or business may be bolstered by an MBA. Application timelines and processes for each of these degrees vary widely, with information available online or by request from academic institutions across the United States. Still, with the enormous range of employment opportunities that the biotechnology industry offers, virtually any advanced degree may be helpful.

RECRUITING TIMELINE

STEP ONE

SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR YEAR

Begin exploring potential employment and internship opportunities, researching both the biotechnology field itself and the endless array of potential niches within it that you may be interested in. Biotechnology encompasses everything from scientific research and pharmaceutical development to consulting and intellectual property law, so take time to explore what niches excite you most. Take coursework in the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, and statistics, and consider classes in computer science and economics if you are drawn to the business side of the field. Outside of the classroom, join clubs that connect you with companies or organizations within the realm of biotechnology. Use your summers to gain hands-on experience through internships or research positions, ideally across different settings — such as a pharmaceutical company, a startup, or a hospital research program — so you can get a sense of the work environment that suits you best. Throughout this period, build your network by attending career fairs, alumni events, or conferences, and start scheduling informational interviews with professionals and alumni working in areas of biotechnology that interest you.

STEP TWO

SENIOR YEAR

As you approach senior year, refine your career direction and determine whether your immediate next step will be entering the workforce or pursuing further education. For highly specialized roles in research and development, graduate study — whether a Master’s, PhD, or professional degree such as a JD or MD — may be required, while other consulting, or business positions may be open to you right after you finish school. Begin preparing for applications early, keeping in mind that recruitment timelines vary significantly; some consulting or corporate roles recruit in the fall, while research and lab-based positions may not open until later in the year. If you’ve completed internships or worked in research labs during previous summers, return to those connections and leverage them. At the same time, if you are considering graduate or professional school, use the summer before senior year to prepare for entrance exams and plan applications. Networking remains a critical part of the process, so continue attending industry events, reaching out to employers, and building relationships with mentors.

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

"There are other paths beyond either grad school, PhD or med school, where you can use your interest in science, and science background, and biopharma is certainly one of them"

Alan Ginsberg '04

Read about Alan's story:

Alan G. Ginsberg ’04 knew he loved science, but he also knew he didn’t want to spend his life in a lab. A biochemistry concentrator at Harvard, he describes himself as “a science nerd at heart,” but one who was curious about the world beyond research. “This biotech and biopharma thing sounded kind of cool,” he recalls. “I knew nothing about business. I took Ec10, and that was it. But I said, ‘hey, it sounds kind of cool.’”

At Harvard, Ginsberg served as Sports Chair of The Harvard Crimson, considered becoming a sportswriter, and landed a reporting internship at Time Magazine while a student. Eventually, though, he decided to pivot. “One big learning for me,” Ginsberg says now, “was to keep your hobbies and passions separate from your career.” After graduating from Harvard, Ginsberg spent several years L.E.K. Consulting in Boston. “I knew nothing about business” after graduating, Ginsberg admits, but found consulting to be “an extension of my education.” He found his way into the firm’s life sciences practice, confirming that biopharma was where he wanted to be.