Name Erik Buczek

Date 1/5/15

Career Planning
We have looked at the different career paths (directly entering the workforce, military,
apprenticeships, technical school, and college) and you have been told some career options that
you might like from Naviance.
Here, you will start to figure out a plan for how to attain three possible careers. Use the
Occupational Outlook Handbook provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to complete the
following chart. www.bls.gov/ooh
Career #1: Physician

Career #2:
Biochemist/Biophy
sicist
$81,480
Doctoral or
Professional Degree
None

Career #3:
Biomedical
Engineer
$86,960
Bachelors Degree

2010 Median Pay

Entry-Level
Education
On-the-Job
Training

$187,200+
Doctoral or Professional
Degree
Residency

Job Outlook 201020

(Percent &
Comparison Rate)
Duties
DO NOT COPY &
PASTE

18%(Faster than average)

19%(Faster than
average)

27%(Faster than
average)

Physicians examine
patients and diagnose
illnesses. They also
prescribe medications for
the patient.

They study the

chemical and
physical aspects and
the growth of living
things.

They analyze and

design new solutions
to problems in
biology and
medicine with the
goal of helping
patients.

Work Environment

Many physicians work in

private offices or clinics, often
with administrative and
healthcare personnel.

Biochemists and
biophysicists typically
work in laboratories
and offices to conduct
experiments and
analyze the results.
Most work full time.

Work Schedule

Most physicians and surgeons

work full time. Many
physicians and surgeons work
long, irregular, and overnight
hours. Physicians and
surgeons may travel between
their offices and hospitals to

Most biochemists and

biophysicists work full
time and keep regular
hours. Some positions
may require longer
hours.

Biomedical engineers
work in
manufacturing,
universities, hospitals,
research facilities of
companies and
educational and
medical institutions,
and government
regulatory agencies.
They usually work full
time.
Biomedical engineers
usually work full time
on a normal schedule.
However, as with
employees in almost
any engineering
occupation,

None

Name Erik Buczek

Date 1/5/15
care for their patients. While
on call, a physician may need
to address a patients
concerns over the phone or
make an emergency visit to a
hospital or nursing home.

How to Become
One
(Education,
Licenses/Certificat
ion, Advancement)

Almost all physicians

complete at least 4 years of
undergraduate school, 4
years of medical school, and,
depending on their specialty,
3 to 8 years in internship and
residency programs. All states
require physicians and
surgeons to be licensed;
requirements vary by state.
To qualify for a license,
candidates must graduate
from an accredited medical
school, complete residency
training in their specialty, and
pass written and practical
exams.

Most Ph.D. holders in

biochemistry and
biophysics have
bachelors degrees in
biochemistry or a
related field, such as
biology, chemistry,
physics, or engineering.
High school students
can prepare for college
by taking classes
related to the natural
and physical sciences.
Most biochemistry and
biophysics Ph.D.
holders begin their
careers in temporary
postdoctoral research
positions. During their
postdoctoral
appointments, they
work with experienced
scientists, as they
continue to learn about
their specialties or
develop a broader
understanding of
related areas of
research.

Job Prospects

Employment of physicians
and surgeons is projected to
grow 18 percent from 2012 to
2022, faster than the average
for all occupations. Job growth
will occur because of the
continued expansion of
healthcare-related industries.

Biochemists and
biophysicists involved
in basic research
should expect strong
competition for
permanent research
and faculty positions at
colleges and
universities.
Biochemists and
biophysicists with
postdoctoral

biomedical engineers
may occasionally have
to work additional
hours to meet the
needs of patients,
managers, colleagues,
and clients.
Prospective biomedical
engineering students
should take high
school science
courses, such as
chemistry, physics,
and biology. They
should also take math
courses, including
calculus. Courses in
drafting or mechanical
drawing and computer
programming are also
useful. Bachelors
degree programs in
biomedical
engineering focus on
engineering and
biological sciences.
Programs include
laboratory-based
courses in addition to
classroom-based
courses in subjects
such as fluid and solid
mechanics, computer
programming, circuit
design, and
biomaterials. Other
required courses may
include biological
sciences, such as
physiology.
Rapid advances in
technology will
continue to change
what biomedical
engineers do and
continue to create new
areas for them to work
in. Thus, the
expanding range of
activities in which
biomedical engineers
are engaged should

Name Erik Buczek

Similar
Occupations
(Choose 3)

Date 1/5/15

Chiropractor/Dentist/Opto
metrist

experience who have

had research articles
published in scientific
journals should have
the best prospects for
these positions. Many
biochemists and
biophysicists work
through multiple
postdoctoral
appointments before
getting a permanent
position in academia.

translate into very

favorable job
prospects. In addition,
the aging and
retirement of a
substantial percentage
of biomedical
engineers are likely to
help create job
openings between
2012 and 2022.

Agricultural
Scientist/Biomedical
Engineer/Microbiologi
st

Chemical
Engineer/Mechanical
Engineer/Biological
Technician

Questions: Answer each question in a short paragraph.

1. Which career seems like the best fit for you after knowing this information?
Biomedical Engineer seems like the best fit for me. It involves biology and problem
solving, which are two things that I enjoy to do. The pay is very good, and only a
bachelors degree is required. The job seems to be growing very quickly, which will
make it easier for me to get this job.

2. What college were you thinking about going to? Does it offer the major needed to
attain this career?
I am thinking about going to Rutgers University. Yes, it offers the majors needed for
this career, which is biomedical engineering.