High School Educators
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Welcome High School Teachers, Counselors and Administrators!
The Bioscience Workforce Development Hub focuses on promoting bioscience career pathways, particularly in biotechnology and biomanufacturing at community colleges. We facilitate partnerships to guide high school students into these programs, helping them gain skills for rewarding careers.
Educators often ask about job opportunities in the life sciences, local colleges offering relevant courses, dual enrollment options, and how to initiate partnerships. We’re here to assist with all these inquiries!
Did you know that students that start at a community college and gain skills, then transfer are more likely to work in academic research labs than their peers that started as university freshmen?
High School- Community College Partnership
Benefits:
- Bioscience career pathway support for faculty and students
- Dual Enrollment and Articulation agreements for accelerated college credits
- Access to summer camps and institutes for high school students
- Special college events for high schoolers: STEM fairs, open houses, career fairs, etc.
- Faculty training extended to high school teachers
- Informative Community of Practice meetings and presentations
- Grant partnerships to strengthen career pathways
- Industry-tailored college programs supported by advisory committees, with access to state-of-the-art lab techniques for high school partners
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Why A Student Should Consider A Career in the Biosciences
Value of Community Colleges
Starting at a Community College Benefits High School Students
Many young students not set on a college path may debate between pursuing education or employment post-high school, often choosing work for economic reasons. However, many are unaware of affordable college options. Community college bioscience programs offer affordable education leading to diverse career opportunities with well-paying jobs.
Environment Conducive to Learning
Extensive hands-on training in modern and accessible facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. Classes are small.
Highly Qualified Faculty
Experienced and dedicated faculty with advanced degrees.
Transfer Credits Earned in High School
Students can easily transition to college with their credits earned through dual enrollment and articulation programs.
Earn and Learn Opportunities
Your students can benefit from paid internships and apprenticeships integrated into their college experience. Internships offer short-term, hands-on learning, while apprenticeships provide full-time employment with supplemental academics. Additional opportunities (unpaid) at colleges also allow students to practice biomanufacturing and supply chain operations. These experiences help students build professional networks and can lead to high-paying jobs.
Affordable Education
An affordable education is possible with low or no tuition and access to financial aid (scholarships, Promise program, work-study programs).
- Total average tuition for the first two years full-time at a community college is under $3,000* compared to approx. $13,000** (CSU), approx. $30,000** (UC) & up (private institutions)
- B.S. degree in biomanufacturing at a community college: tuition for all 4 years approx. $10,500*
*Community Colleges have maintained their tuition rate of $46/unit for several decades.
**Current estimates may vary. Visit the link for the latest rates.
Any Student Can Access Higher Education
No entrance exams (SAT, ACT) and no college preparatory courses (A-G) are required to enroll.
Continuation of High School/Learning Community Programs
Students can continue their participation in MESA, Puente Project, and other programs at their college of choice.
BIOSCIENCE PROGRAMS: CERTIFICATES, ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES, AND BACHELOR’S DEGREES
Explore our colleges’ bioscience programs via our interactive map, to view certificates and Associate’s degrees in Biotechnology, Biomanufacturing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Histotechnology, Chemical Technology, and Food Safety. Prepare for state credential exams, ensure you’re ready for career success, and seamlessly transition to Bachelor’s degree programs in Biomanufacturing and Histotechnology, with recognized A.S. degree credits, or open doors to advanced studies and graduate degree programs.
Students can get a Bachelor’s in Biomanufacturing at MiraCosta, Solano, Moorpark, and LA Mission Colleges, and a Bachelor’s in Histotechnology at Mt. San Antonio College.
DEGREES, CERTIFICATES, AND THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATIONS
Students completing a certificate or degree can enter a job ready to perform essential techniques and operate state-of-the-art equipment. Colleges offer short-duration certificates, and Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees. Also, preparation for state credentials in some specialties such as Histotechnology and Medical Laboratory Technology are available.
Need More Information?
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Dual Enrollment & High School Articulation
These agreements between colleges and high schools allow college credit for students who take biotechnology courses at their high school and then later enroll at the college. This map and related information feature community college biotechnology programs and their partner high schools with dual enrollment and articulation agreements.
Dual Enrollment Map
Employment In the Bioscience Industry
California’s Bioscience sector, spanning biotechnology, medical devices, research, agriculture, and more, drives significant economic growth. In 2022 alone, the industry added 26,672 jobs (Biocom 2023 Life Science Economic Impact Report). Community colleges offer education in these fields, providing pathways to various bioscience careers. Listen to the podcast “Biotech: Impacting Tomorrow, Today” for insights into bioscience relevance and career opportunities.
Example of Bioscience Jobs Include
No matter your current education level, the bioscience industry offers a multitude of career pathways ready for exploration and advancement. Explore biotech-careers.org/careers for a vast array of careers, job areas, or, click on additional careers below to get to the website.
- Biomanufacturing Technician- Downstream
- Biomanufacturing Technician- Upstream
- Cell Culture Technician
- Environmental Science Technician
- Food Technologist
- Genomics Technician
- Laboratory Assistant
- Laboratory Technician
- Manufacturing Assistant
- Molecular Biology Technician
- Plant Tissue Culture Technician
- Purification Technician
- Quality Assurance Documentation Coordinator
- Quality Control Technician
- Additional careers
Bioscience Careers Living Wages Examples
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Certified Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Clinical Laboratory Technician (Clinical Lab Technician)
- Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant)
- Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
- Medical Laboratory Technicians (Medical Lab Technician)
- Medical Technician
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- Inspector
- Quality Assurance Auditor
- Quality Assurance (QA) Inspector
- Quality Assurance (QA) Technician
- Quality Control (QC) Technician
- Quality Auditor
- Quality Control (QC) Inspector
- Quality Inspector
- Quality Technician
- Test Technician
Quality Control Analysts
- Lab Analyst, Lab Technician (Lab Tech)
- Laboratory Analyst
- Microbiology Lab Analyst
- QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor)
- QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Lab Technician)
- QA Tech (Quality Assurance Technician)
- Quality Control Analyst (QC Analyst)
- Quality Control Lab Technician (QC Lab Tech)
- Quality Control Technician (QC Tech)
Biological Technicians
- Biological Science Laboratory Technician
- Biological Science Technician
- Biological Technician
- Laboratory Technician
- Research Assistant
- Research Associate
- Research Specialist
- Research Technician
Manufacturing Production Technicians
- Manufacturing Technician
- Manufacturing Technology Analyst
- Quality Technician
Histotechnologists
- Charge Histotechnologist
- Clinical Laboratory Manager
- Histology Specialist
- Histology Technologist
- Histotechnologist
Chemical Technicians
- Chemical Analyst
- Chemical Technician
- Formulation Technician
- Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst)
- Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)
- Laboratory Tester (Lab Tester)
- Organic Preparation Analyst (Organic Prep Analyst)
- Quality Control Technician (QC Technician)
- Research Technician
- Water Quality Technician
Food Science Technicians
- Central Lab Technician (CLT)
- Food Science Technician
- Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant)
- Quality Analyst
- Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)
- Quality Control Technician (QC Technician)
- Quality Technician
Mission Valley ROP’s Biomedical Sciences program partners with Ohlone College to offer students early college credits through articulation and the Summer Bridge program. Honors students join advanced labs, and quiz bowls enhance skills for future success.
Masiha Farooq, PLTW Biomedical Sciences Instructor MVROP, Fremont
41%
Salary Boost in First Year after Graduating
91%
Find Employment In Their Chosen Field
72%
Recieve Promotions In Their Careers