• Question: I'm hoping to become something like a microbiologist, would you have any tips on how to get there?

    Asked by anon-232810 to Varun, Rebecca on 15 Nov 2019.
    • Photo: Rebecca Shaw

      Rebecca Shaw answered on 15 Nov 2019: last edited 15 Nov 2019 12:25 pm


      That’s great Mason! I’ve worked in a few microbiology labs and its so. much. fun!!

      I would say you could try to get work experience in a university lab or hospital lab nearby? If you get in touch with them, most employers would be happy to take you on if they can. It’s a great way to get to see first hand what a microbiologist does everyday!

      You can also look and see if your school, STEM club or university hold any careers events or open days! Then you could get then chance to talk to scientists and see what you type of area of microbiology you’d be interested in. There’s loads from diagnostics and clinical, quality assurance (so food tech companies or environmental) and there is research labs too!

      You can also look at joining the Microbiology Society – they often have events across the UK run by and for microbiologists.

      Also for picking uni courses, I would look at just Microbiology or ones that are more general like Public Health, Biomedical Sciences – see which topics you can choose, how much lab time and experience you’d get and which one you would prefer too!

    • Photo: Varun Ramaswamy

      Varun Ramaswamy answered on 15 Nov 2019: last edited 15 Nov 2019 7:14 pm


      Thats a great subject, Mason! I completely agree with Rebecca..starting off by getting some work experience in a uni/hospital lab would be perfect!

      I think a hospital would be more fun because you get to see how they apply microbiology in medicine, by using really cool techniques to find out what bacteria or virus is causing the disease inside the patient.. and you also get to learn about diseases so that’s a bonus!

      Also, keep an eye out for forensic labs too..microbial genetics is allays used to trace out and identify criminals.. and it is a precious tool to identify bio-attacks and biological weapons!

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