Forensic/Biology Career

When someone says “forensics” first thing that usually comes to one’s mind is the TV show, CSI; one of the popular TV shows featuring forensics. I think forensics is very interesting and would like to enjoy my future career in that field. I have never watched a single CSI episode though, it was actually because of my high school forensic class that interested me. A professor also explained to me that being a forensic scientist allows an individual to work specific times unlike a doctor that may have to sacrifice time for an emergency. Not only having reasonable hours, being a forensic scientist also gives benefits such as “Pensions, health insurance, paid vacations (usual benefits). These benefits are normally offered for many positions.” (Professor Espana)

I think I want to work as a forensic scientist or a biologist for the forensic field because I believe that it is a job I would be good at and have fun at the same time. By working as a forensic scientist I can value my strengths as well. One of my strengths is concentrating on something I enjoy. As a child, I loved reading murder mysteries. Forensic in a way, reminds me of those murder mysteries which I grew to love as a child and growing up to want to be part of the murder mystery by solving the mystery. I believe that if I have always had interest in the topic, I can do well and concentrate as a forensic scientist as my career.

One other strength that would be a great factor for this career is that I learn very well especially if it is hands-on. Forensic Biologists may work in labs and identify the material (as blood, semen, etc.), species determination and genetic marker profiling using DNA analysis. (Police department) This type of work is a hands-on kind of work that I can learn new things and learn about the crime.

An alternative career that I can choose is a Biologist that works in a lab or some kind of animal scientist (zoologist). I believe that these can value the same kind of strengths that I have listed above. I can concentrate on what I am working on because I am always curious about animals and I like to interact with them, as long as they do not bite. I also do not like a closed office environment and prefer working in a large open space or outdoors which would fit into the zoologist career. “Research zoologists work mainly in laboratories while conducting experiments on a particular animal. Those experiments are observed, depending on the experiment to help determine the health and well-being of the animal. Other zoologists are more commonly associated with zoos where they maintain and direct the activities that an animal must properly go through. They spend most of their time out in the field, enduring the same conditions as the life forms they’re studying. Some work very closely with animals to observe their daily habits and to insure proper habitat.” ( Education Portal) I am also very social so I may like working as a Biology teacher since I always liked Biology class in both junior high school and high school

. Since forensic scientist is my main career goal, I can prepare for it in many ways. “First step: receive a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a traditional science. Second step: Pursue internships and get to know people in the field. You learn much more once in the field.” (Professor Espana) I learned from Professor Espana from John Jay College that any degree in traditional sciences can lead me into the forensics career. In this case, I plan to major in Biology. This major can help me approach my career in forensics or in any of my alternative careers except being a teacher would require getting a teaching degree. She also explained that the best way to find career in Forensics is Networking. “Networking in groups such as Northeastern association of forensic scientist (NEAFS) , governmental job postings, and private lab postings.” And an advice that she gave was “I would talk to other scientists and of other disciplines so you get more of feeling of what discipline you would like to join. You can get most information from practicing scientists. An advice would be to network. Network and internships after you do your general sciences Biology, Chemistry and Physics.” (Professor Espana) I think by following her advice, it can lead me to my career that I am interested in.

Starting salaries for forensic scientists ranged from $20,000 to $40,000 in 1998. Experienced crime lab professionals earned about $40,000 to $85,000, and some lab directors earned as much as $100,000. (Dillon, Hall) Over the years, they also believe that forensic jobs were going to increase but have a lot of competition with jobs with the Department of Justice. Today, salaries for forensic scientist still varies depending on what field you are in but the starting salary is $70,000. (Salary Wizard) I think that the salary is a decent pay or quite good to begin with especially if an individual will enjoy the work and have fun while he/she is at it.

Bibliography

Dillon, Hall. “Forensics.” Web. <http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/1999/Fall/art01.pdf>.

Education Portal. “Zoologist Career Information: Becoming a Zoologist.” Web. <http://education-portal.com/articles/Zoologist_Career_Information:__Becoming_a_Zoologist.html>.

“Forensic.” Email – Message to the author. 1 Dec. 2009. E-mail.

Police Department. “Forensic Scientist.” Web. <http://www.sandiego.gov/police/about/biology.shtml>.

“Salary Wizard.” Web. <http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_selectjob.asp?op=salswz_psr&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Education&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=5&pagefrom=selectjob&redbird=&jobfamilycode=7&joblevelcode=2&hdLocationOption=0&hdSearchByOption=0&hdKeyword=forensic+scientist&hdJobCategory=ED01&hdZipCode=&hdStateMetro=&hdGeoLocation=U.S.+National+Averages&hdCurrentPage=1&hdViewAllRecords=0&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=&hdJobTitle=&hdNarrowDesc=&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=&jobcounter=&countertype=&rdbSearchByOption=0&txtKeyword=forensic+scientist&totaljoblistnum=2&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=0&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=1&hdAjaxKeyword=forensic+science&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23forensic%23+OR+%23science%23>.

Schwartz, Elayne. “Forensic Biology.” Http://www.westchestergov.com/labsresearch/ForensicandTox/forensic/biology/forbioframeset.htm. Web.