Monthly Archives: March 2012

Career Exploration, Graduate School, Healthcare

Career Spotlight: Pharmacologist

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A true scientist, the pharmacologist has a critical role to play in the field of medicine, as well as other health professions.  According to the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), “pharmacology is the science of drug action on biological systems.”  You might most commonly think of this in terms of the development of new drugs for medical treatment.  The most appropriate undergraduate majors are chemistry and biology.  A PhD in pharmacological sciences is also required.  Some students enroll in joint MD/PhD programs, so they will also have the ability to work with patients.  For more information on this career, please see ASPET’s brochure, entitled, “Explore Pharmacology.”

Healthcare, Occupations

Career Spotlight: Audiologist

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Audiologists work with people who have hearing, balance and related ear problems.  They may work individually with a patient to develop a treatment program or they may collaborate with physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists.  For those who want to help people of all ages, this is a rewarding career that allows you to diagnose, educate and counsel patients as they adjust to hearing loss.  These professionals must stay up- to-date on the latest hearing devices to maximize the quality of their clients’ lives.

Many states now require a doctoral degree (AuD) to practice audiology.  A Baylor degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders would be good undergraduate preparation for a doctoral program in audiology.  The employment of audiologist is expected to grow 25% through 2018, so job prospects will be favorable. For more information, visit www.audfound.org.

Occupations

Translators

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Who are they?

According to the Princeton Review website: “There are two main types of translators: textual translators, who work with written documents, and simultaneous translators, or interpreters, who listen and translate a voice as it is being spoken. The former may work on a variety of documents, including legal, business-related, journalistic, or “literary” texts, and is generally paid by the word. The latter are normally paid either by the hour or as full-time staff in such settings as the United Nations, international business, or perhaps within the legal system as a court translator.”

How do I get there?

  • “be fluent in English and in one of the official languages of the United Nations; French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese.” (other languages are also acceptable – this info is for best opportunities)
  • Have “a language degree, preferably a B.S., B.A., or Masters.”
  • “have exceptional fluency in at least two languages”
  • Be “fluent in at least two cultures.”
  • Studying abroad can also be beneficial.

What is the interview process like?

  • “Before interviewing for a position, candidates are normally required to undergo a series of tests to ensure language proficiency.”
  • “First, the candidate has to translate a general text from the host language into the second, or third, language.”
  • “Then the applicant must choose a more technical text for translation to exhibit fluency in the area she has chosen for specialization. These tests can take up to seven hours.”
  • “After the candidate displays fluency the employer will invite the applicant to an interview. For this, the applicant is given some time to prepare a topic for translation and the interview usually begins with the oral presentation of this translation.”
  • “The interview culminates in an inquiry into her knowledge of the applicable region’s cultural and historical background.”
  • “Employers will often expect translators, after hiring and training, to work on word processing and other data entry equipment.”

http://www.princetonreview.com/Careers.aspx?page=1&cid=160&uidbadge=%07

Business, Occupations, Web Resources

Career Spotlight: Investment Manager

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Investment managers are often referred to as portfolio managers. O*NET states that investment managers perform the following tasks:

  • Manage investment funds to maximize return on client investments.
  • Select specific investments or investment mixes for purchase by an investment fund.
  • Analyze acquisitions to ensure conformance with strategic goals or regulatory requirements.
  • Select or direct the execution of trades.
  • Develop or implement fund investment policies or strategies.
  • Develop or direct development of offering documents or marketing materials.
  • Evaluate the potential of new product developments or market opportunities, according to factors such as business plans, technologies, or market potential.
  • Identify group or individual target investors for a specific fund.
  • Meet with investors to determine investment goals or to discuss investment strategies.
  • Monitor regulatory or tax law changes to ensure fund compliance or to capitalize on development opportunities.

Investment managers need to be knowledgeable of economic, accounting, sales, and marketing principles and practices. They also require a strong background in mathematics.

Investment managers possess strong active listening, speaking, and critical thinking skills. They also have the ability to analyze financial data.   

The median salary for investment managers in 2010 was $96,450.

Investment managers often have undergraduate degrees in business. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) can make a candidate more marketable.

A helpful website is: http://www.mbaauthority.com/cc/inv-mgt.html

Healthcare, Majors, Occupations

Career Spotlight: Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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The Clinical Laboratory Scientist works as a healthcare detective, generating laboratory data to detect such illnesses as cancer, heart attacks, diabetes and bacterial or viral infections.  Although these scientists have limited direct patient contact, they are a vital member of the healthcare team that diagnoses and treats patients. 

Career opportunities are numerous and can involve work in a hospital setting, public health laboratory, forensic science laboratory or with Indian Health Services.  The Baylor program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences includes biology and chemistry courses that culminate with a one year internship in a hospital or university setting. 

For more information on this career path, visit www.ascls.org or contact Career Counseling.

Student Organizations

Veterans of Baylor

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This message is for a specific group of Baylor students:  veterans of the United States Armed Forces.  Student veterans now have an official way to connect with one another on campus and benefit from the wisdom of Baylor faculty and staff who are also veterans.  Veterans of Baylor will hold their next meeting on Monday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the Air Force ROTC office.  More information on the meeting’s presenter is below:

Mary Thompson, Speaker

Former Marine 

President, Mr. Rooter

Mary will speak about “Operation Enduring Opportunity” a nationwide initiative to hire 75,000 veterans by the end of 2013.

For more information on getting involved with Veterans of Baylor, students can contact Dr. Janet Bagby.

Occupations

Dietitian

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According to O*NET, dietitians “Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.”

Baylor’s Nutrition Sciences major is accredited by the American Dietetic Association and will help prepare you for the path to becoming a registered dietitian.  Please visit the department’s website for detailed info regarding career opportunities, course requirements, and information about becoming a registered dietitian.  Be sure to look at the Nutrition Sciences Handbook for even more detailed information regarding this rewarding career.

Click the following link to watch a video from O*NET about the career field of dietetics:

http://realvideo.acinet.org/asxgen/Eng/29-1031.00.wmv.asx

The American Medical Association has also put together a nice page with details about this profession here.

Announcements

Leadership Development Opportunity

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Leadership and the ability to work effectively within a diverse group of people are two important qualities that employers look for in a prospective intern or employee, regardless of your major or career aspirations.  Lucky for you, Baylor’s Department of Multicultural Affairs is hosting a FREE event to equip you with these skills.  Click here to read the program descriptions.  The registration form can be found here.

Web Resources

Summer School, Anyone?

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Summer school can be a great way to catch up or get ahead on your degree plan.  After considering the benefits, you might decide that this investment of time might just be worth it.

Summer School at Baylor

Baylor courses are offered in the minimester, first summer session, and second summer session.  Visit pages 31-32 in the Undergraduate Catalog to determine the maximum number of credits you can earn in the summer.  You can view the Schedule of Classes online.  Not all Baylor classes are offered in the summer.  Pay attention to the start and end dates, as there is a bit of overlap between the minimester and the first summer session.  Also, it is a good idea to check with Student Financial Aid Office to determine if your scholarships and financial aid can be used for summer classes.

Summer School Elsewhere

Some students choose to take summer courses at another institution.  Baylor allows students to transfer in no more than 15 hours of credit from another institution, once they begin at Baylor.  In other words, choose your classes carefully if you plan to take summer classes elsewhere.  The most important thing you can do is verify prior to taking the class that Baylor will accept the course for credit.  The equivalent courses offered at Texas community colleges are listed here.  If you are interested in taking a course that is not listed, you will be going out of state, or you will be taking classes at another university, you will need to submit a petition for the appropriate Baylor department to approve the course.  For questions about the petition process, contact your academic advisor.

Though going through these steps might sound tedious, your diligence on the front end can prevent many future hassles.  While taking classes might not sound like the most exciting way to spend your summer, consider that it might free up time for gaining relevant work experience later on.  By the way…it’s not too early to start thinking about these things!