<p>After I attempted nursing school (which I loved, but did not turn out to be a good career fit) I decided to become a microbiologist. So far the only micro class I've taken is Introductory Microbiology, but I got an A and loved it (I've taken other Bio classes such as Anatomy and Physiology). I'm particularly interested in clinical/public health microbiology, and I know what kind of job I want, but I'm not sure if it is realistic and/or possible.</p>
<p>You see, I don't want to do research or become a professor, or simply work in a hospital/public health lab, although I would like to get some experience doing all those things, but I don't want to spend my career doing that.
What I want to do is travel around the world helping to set up microbiology labs in poor nations as well as teach doctors/nurses, microbiologists how to improve the health of their people related to infectious disease. I would prefer to work with or create my own non-profit. Would it be realistically and consistently possible to find work/create a job like this or should I consider another career?</p>
<p>I think you should consider getting a graduate degree in public health after completing your BS degree in micro. First, I don’t know if just a bachelor’s would be considered sufficient qualification for what you want to do and second, an MPH will give you more credibility and broaden your knowledge of relevant fields besides microbiology. During your undergrad years, you might consider also completing a major or minor in global health or international studies (which sometimes has a track in global health at some schools). Alternatively, you could consider a major or minor in anthropology (with coursework in medical anthropology) or language/area studies, if an particular world region interests you. If you decide to pursue a grad degree in public health, you might want to consider a course in statistics.</p>
<p>I am not quite sure what qualification would be needed for that but a BSc. in Micro won’t be enough. </p>
<p>I’ve taken Micro and lab too. With just the BSc., you will most likely be in a quality or environmental lab plating routine samples and assaying for colony forming units. The pay will be very poor ~$12-17 per hour likely with no benefits like other lab workers because you will probably be working via a temp agency. BSc. science grads are like toilet paper. They are used for the dirty work and discarded without thought.</p>
<p>Sorry, to be misleading… I plan to get a PhD in microbiology, although that is a long way off!
Mostly I just want to know if my dream job is realistic, a microbiologist working in a non-profit traveling to poor areas of the world with high rates of infectious disease and helping train doctors, nurses, and other microbiologists how to more effectively recognize and treat various infectious diseases. In addition I would also teach the public how to avoid various diseases. My goal is to find ways to improve the long term health of people by giving them the tools and training to help themselves.</p>
I believe you can and should get involved in health organizations doing similar things internationally now as an undergrad during your breaks, esp summers. This would be the best preparation, and would confirm this is really what you want to do. Ask at your school’s premed advising group about such opportunities, and/or network with premed students (who do this).</p>
<p>If I don’t become a microbiologist then I will probably go with journalism.
Here is a link to the journalism major board where I’m looking for advice if I should go with microbiology or journalism:</p>
<p>OP, I read your other thread, too, and the common element across your microbiology and journalism interests is that you want to work with nonprofits in underdeveloped countries.
So, focus on that interest. Then, eventually, you will reach a choice point where you will need to decide—public health? or journalism? Only you can decide where the strength of your interests lies. Following one interest, however, doesn’t preclude your involvement with the other one, e.g., on a volunteer basis, etc.</p>
<p>That sounds like good advice, but would I really be qualified to teach doctors, nurses, etc about how to better treat and avoid infectious diseases with a public health degree? Wouldn’t I need a degree specifically in microbiology? Public health would work for teaching the laypeople part, but I’m not sure about the rest of the people.</p>
<p>A dual degree in public health and journalism does sound interesting though… thanks for pointing that out.</p>
