RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (Dec. 22, 2006) --- North Carolina high school students, their parents, and educators can learn about the wide range of careers in biotechnology from a free state-funded 28-page guidebook.
Career Pathways: Focus on Biotechnology is an overview designed and produced by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center under a contract from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
It includes an introduction to biotechnology, discusses the breadth of its applications, and highlights a variety of biotechnology-related career opportunities. It guides high school students in preparing for six broad career areas relevant to the industry.
The unique publication gives examples of real people working in real biotechnology jobs around North Carolina. It tells students what kinds of courses to take in high school, community college and, if appropriate, in baccalaureate and graduate programs, to prepare for rewarding careers in biotechnology.
North Carolina has made biotechnology a central part of its economic development strategy. As a result, it's now home to some 360 bioscience companies offering a wide variety of career opportunities --- the third-largest total in the nation.
Collaborators from industry and academia statewide have responded to these employers' needs for biomanufacturing workers. Among the most notable such groups is the Biomanufacturing and Pharmaceutical Training Consortium, providing industry-focused, hands-on educational programs through community colleges and universities.
The Biotechnology Center, the DPI and the North Carolina Community College System are distributing some 85,000 copies of the publication to schools and community colleges statewide.
The Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation supported by the N.C. General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide.
