He notes that just as information technology has bolstered today's economy, biology will be the key to tomorrow's. Advances in molecular and cellular biology promise to transform medicine, industry, the environment and agriculture. On several fronts, Doering has been working to ease the transition from college to the career world for his department's students. The first career day last fall gave students food for thought before recruiters descended on campus for the Science and Technology Job Fair last spring, the first job fair to include careers in biology, chemistry, environmental sciences and nursing. While the career day is a low-key event by comparison, the job fair is intense.
Recruiters have jobs in hand and are ready to make offers.
He has encouraged undergraduates to go to the job fair to see what kinds of jobs are available and what recruiters look for while they can still adjust the courses they will take. Recruiters want experience, particularly in the lab. Doering has been working with the Career Center to beef up the internship opportunities for biology students. As career day made clear, students who prepare to enter the work force are curious about more than just the nuts and bolts of the work world, such as job responsibilities, training requirements and salaries.