Welcome Parents!
Find A Program Near YouWHY A CAREER IN BIOSCIENCES
The Biosciences field covers a vast array of disciplines, from genetics to biotechnology, fueling economic growth in California. This dynamic industry includes biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, environmental, alternative foods, and more. In 2022 alone, it created over 26,000 jobs. Discover its impact and exciting career opportunities in this podcast: “Biotech: Impacting Tomorrow, Today.”
Exploring Biosciences for Future Success
As your child nears high school graduation, the future looms with questions. College or work? How to prepare for a career? Can they earn a living wage? What options beyond high school? Bioscience careers offer exciting prospects for robust, sustainable, well-paying jobs. Let’s ensure our children thrive.
Career Opportunities in the Biosciences
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
A Carer Pathway With Multiple Entry And Exit Points
The journey beyond high school is brimming with exciting possibilities for your child. Whether they’re aiming for a 4-year program, diving into the workforce, or exploring community college options, the path to success is wide open. Imagine the advantage if your child has already participated in a dual enrollment program—earning credits that fast-track their progress. It’s easier to transfer into a competitive 4-year university from a community college than entering as a freshman. At the community college level, personalized guidance from counselors helps tailor a pathway towards either immediate employment or a seamless transfer to a Bachelor’s in Biomanufacturing at a Community College or a 4-year university. This targeted approach ensures timely graduation, propelling your child towards a rewarding career sooner rather than later. Let’s embark on this thrilling educational adventure together!
Helping Your Child Make Informed Choices About Post High School Pathways
Empower your child to dive into the captivating world of biosciences through biotech-careers.org, offering immersive videos and firsthand occupation reviews. Beyond school offerings, exciting career exploration awaits through employer visits, career fairs, job shadows, and college events. Equip your child with the tools to unlock endless possibilities and pursue their dreams with confidence!
Why Your Child Should Attend A Community College
Affordable Education
Before diving into student loans, explore the financial aid options at your community college. Submit the FAFSA for federal grants, and some colleges offer free tuition for full-time residents or those enrolled in at least 6 units. Look into programs like California Promise for two years of free college. Seek scholarships from sources like California Community Colleges Endowment and private organizations. Explore work-study opportunities like apprenticeships, internships, or part-time jobs. For tailored advice, consult your college’s financial aid office.
Average cost of attending college the first two years (tuition/enrollment fees):
- Community College: About $2,900*
CA CC tuition = $46/credit – 12 credits: $2,208/2 yrs; 15 credits: $2,760/2 yrs; 16 credits: $2,944/2 yrs
- California State Universities: About $13,000**
2024/25: $6,084/yr for over 6 units
- University of California: About $30,000**
Cost of attending college for four years (tuition/enrollment fees):
- Community College Bachelor’s Degree in Biomanufacturing: $10,500
- Four-year universities: Starting at $30,000 and up
*Community Colleges have maintained their tuition rate of $46/unit for several decades.
**Current estimates may vary. Visit the link for the latest rates.
AMAZING FACULTY
Our faculty members:
- Boast numerous PhDs, Masters Degrees and hands-on industry backgrounds
- Classes and labs are taught by faculty, not grad students
- Our faculty care about their students and students get one-on-one access to faculty
- Students are mentored by faculty members
Advisory Boards
The Industry Advisory Boards:
- Contribute to program alignment with their workforce needs
- Ensure the curriculum is updated with the latest knowledge and technical advances
No Prerequisites
-
- No college prep courses (A-G) are required
- No admissions tests (SAT, ACT) required
- Any student can access higher education
Student Success
- Our environments are conducive to student success
- Smaller class sizes
- Extensive hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment
- Modern facilities
- Students are employable in as little as 1-2 semesters
- Early exposure to career opportunities
- Easier to transfer into highly competitive 4-year institutions
- Two-year AS degree and certificates
Bioscience BS Degrees Offered at Community Colleges
- Biomanufacturing: MiraCosta, Solano, Moorpark, and LA Mission College
- Histotechnology: Mount San Antonio College
Professional Opportunities
Life sciences companies and university research labs hire community college students with lab skills. Work-based learning opportunities are available to students to advance their professional development such as:
- Internships
- Apprenticeships
- Exposure to industry companies including tours, job shadowing, career fairs, speakers
Support Services Available to Students
- Financing
- Counseling
- Tutoring
- Disabled student program and services
- Career rediness training & advising
- Job fairs
- Career center
- Health center
- Wellness and mental health services
- Food pantry
- Athletics, art and social activities
College Funding
- Colleges are well-funded
- Colleges receive grant awards from:
– California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
– National Science Foundation
– Department of Labor
– California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
– Many more
Graduating with no debt
Consider these options for financing higher education:
- Select an affordable school and earn college credits in high school.
- Explore financial aid opportunities at your community college:
– Complete the FAFSA for federal aid.
– Some colleges offer free tuition for full-time city residents.
– Qualifying students can benefit from the California Promise program, providing two years of free college.
– Seek scholarships from organizations like the California Community Colleges Endowment.
– Participate in work-study programs like apprenticeships, internships, or part-time jobs. - Discuss your child’s case with the college financial aid office for personalized guidance.
Ready to get started?
Find A Program Near You
MiraCosta College’s Biomanufacturing program gave me the chance to gain valuable industrial and scientific skills. I now work with a diverse team of scientists striving for medical breakthroughs. I'm proud my son chose this program for his growth and future success.
Julia Ott, Mira Costa ‘23, Biomanufacturing B.S. (Parent)
41%
Salary Boost in First Year after Graduating
91%
Find Employment In Their Chosen Field
72%
Recieve Promotions In Their Careers