Monday, January 4, 2010

Careers and Jobs in Clinical Research

There are many important professional careers in a variety of industries. Among these many varied professions, there are some that are critically important but are not as well known to the general public. This can be unfortunate because a number of the jobs in these professions will lead to a significant improvement in the quality of people's lives. In some cases, the work performed by these professionals will increase people's lifespan thanks to the unique and innovative discoveries that they have made. This is often the case with the dynamic and helpful field of clinical research careers. Far too often, we will take clinical research jobs less serious than they are. Why is this? Often, we focus on the finished result as opposed to the process required to get there. Obviously, there can be no end result without a journey to reach it. This is why it is necessary to never overlook the value of the clinical research jobs out there. The vital importance of it is also something that professionals in the field should never overlook either. When you have a skill in such a critical field as clinical research, you should always be on the lookout for advancements in your career. There is no reason for anyone that possesses the education, aptitude, and talents of such a professional to ever be stuck in jobs they may not wish to be in. Honestly, a strong and talented professional will rarely be in such a position since there will always be a demand factor for the individual. And since when is demand bad for any professional's search for careers? Those looking for careers in clinical research can also feel confident that there will always be space for the individual somewhere since there are scores of different facets that clinical research can fall into. There are clinical research jobs in medical research, chemical engineering, biological science fields, physics, and even psychiatry. In short, virtually all forms of science have room for professionals that have a background in clinical research work. This does raise questions as to the type of education one would need to succeed in clinical research. While it is most definitely true that a PhD or a Master of Science would open many doors for someone, the fact remains that a BA or BS degree can be fine for the certain jobs. Again, it really depends upon the type of job that you would be seeking. Those looking for something on the entry level would most definitely not need a PhD and those looking for a major managerial position at a top clinical research lab would probably require a significant amount of education. In terms of the specific course of study one would require to work in the clinical research field, this would certainly be based upon the type of job you are seeking in a particular industry. Clearly, someone with a degree in psychology would be more suitable for a psychological clinical research position than someone with a degree in biology. This is not to say that people cannot cross into fields that are somewhat different from their specific formal educational background as this does happen. However, it is often experience that determines how this can be achieved. Experience counts for a lot and that means that you need to take whatever entry level jobs you can procure to start your career in clinical research. In some cases, you may have to take a position with low pay and perhaps not in the particular discipline you are completely interested. However, experience is experience and it counts for a lot. In fact, starting with an internship or volunteer work can be the right move for starting out and later succeeding with such careers. In terms of the pay one procures from clinical research positions, this will vary based upon skill, experience, the particular job you perform, and the employer you work for. Entry level jobs can be as low as the 20k range and internships are often at no pay whatsoever. Professionals with solid experience can earn $40k to $80k depending on a number of factors. But, you can land stable well paying employment if you have the right talent. This is true of clinical research and, for that matter, all fields.

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