Bioscientists in great demand, UTA dean tells SE students
by Pam Garrett, reporter

    “The best job I ever had was being professor of biology at UTA,” a dean from the University of Texas at Arlington told a SE Campus audience recently.

    Dr. Neal Smatresk, the dean of science. spoke to a full house about emerging bioscience careers.

    Smatresk added that a shortage in the science and technology work force might be caused by students’ not knowing about the many different fields in bioscience. He believes that the educational system is not working to provide students with all the information needed to interest them in a career in science.

    “You can’t choose a career you have never heard of,” he said.

    Most student goals in science are to be a doctor, nurse, researcher or marine biologist, and Smatresk pointed out, they just are not aware they have many more options to choose.

    Lockheed is a good example of the booming field of bioscience, Smatresk said. As a result of its new contract in Fort Worth, the company is hiring science majors at $60,000-$70,000 per year.

    In addition, many companies hire science majors on a regular basis. Alcon is another popular employer as well as Nokia, both located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

    “Biotechnology will be the dominant single industry within the next 50 years,” he said.

    Many high schools are not equipping students with information about biotechnology careers, which may be one reason for the shortage of the work force, Smatresk said.

    The state of Texas faces a critical shortage of qualified science and math teachers. Smatresk is currently working to implement educational assistance.

    His work will help math education programs meet the shortage of qualified instructors by developing new pre- and post-service programs.

    “Workplace setting plays a big part in what career students choose,” he said.

    Smatresk described five workplace settings that a student can choose from in the science field: academics, private business, health care, industry and government. A person’s choice would depend on his or her personality and preference.

    For example, Smatresk said the free-willed spirit may prefer working in a private enterprise, such as molecular biology. The private arena gives more freedom, but it requires a doctorate for entry-level positions.

    On the other hand, academics, which also requires a doctorate, may not pay as well as private enterprise, but it gives great personal satisfaction and recognition.

    Science positions are the fastest growing in industry although the demand goes through cycles. Scientists in this workplace tend to average a salary of $100,000 and up.

    “Working the industry is great when the economy is good,” he said.

    However, the demand is currently growing, and most industry positions require only a master’s degree to enter the field.

    Graduates with a master’s degree who like a structured, stable workplace might enjoy a science career with the government, but such work tends to be boring, Smatresk said.

    The UTA dean pointed out that the healthcare field also offers a good salary, but it is 100 per cent driven by healthcare insurance companies. Graduates with a professional degree can enter this field and go far but will eventually top out unless an advanced degree is obtained.

    Smatresk believes choosing academics can bring great happiness and fame if professors are willing to publish and get grants. The more a professor does in research, the more money he/she will earn.

    There are other areas related to the science field Smatresk thinks few people have heard of: bioinformatics, chemi-informatics and nano technology.

    He advised those interested in science degrees, but unsure of which field to choose, to take science and math courses until they have done their research and figured out where they want to go.

    UTA is a Carnegie Extensive Institution with an extremely large research facility. It is currently working with TCC to ensure that most classes transfer.

    The university will custom-select courses to compliment the classes already taken and set up a curriculum to help students connect to their dreams.

    Smatresk ended his presentation by telling students that the keys to success in the science field are to get connected to a lab where they can meet graduate students, get involved on campus and ask for letters of recommendations.

    He also added that a good education cannot be obtained by skipping classes and taking easy courses.

    “Be willing to fail once in a while and be pushed to go on,” he said.

    For more information about UTA’s science department, visit its website at www.uta.edu.

    In addition, for more information about bioscience careers and salaries, log on to swz-businessweek.salary.com.