Careers Outside Academia

Alternative Careers in Science: Leaving the Ivory Tower

Cynthia Robbins-Roth
San Diego: Academic Press 1993

This is a multi-authored text, providing a perspective on 22 nonacademic career tracks. Although the term alternative careers is a misnomer, the descriptions of these career possibilities along with the attendant qualifications and expectations is very useful.

Todd Wehr Library Call #: Q 149 A466 1998 / ISBN: 0125893752

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development

Toby Freedman
Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 2008

This is a valuable compendium of information regarding careers for life scientists in Pharma or biotech. Explanations of job requirements, essential skills, and day to day responsibilities were distilled from interviews with hundreds of key players in industry. Although not an easy read because of its encyclopedic detail, this book is an essential reference.

ISBN-13: 978-087969725

Careers with the Pharmaceutical Industry

Peter D. Stonier
West Sussex, England: Wiley and Sons, 2003

Although this book has a decidedly British perspective, this book is worth perusing to examine the breadth of positions available in the pharmaceutical industry.

Todd Wehr Library Call #: QV 21 C2715 2003 / ISBN: 0470843284

From Alchemy to IPO: The Business of Biotechnology

Cynthia Robbins-Roth
New York, NY: Basic Books 2000

This is an important resource for scientists interested in industry careers.  It provides a historical perspective on the biotechnology industry combined with an insider's view of the business model.  Appendix C highlights the websites that the savvy job searcher will want to be aware of.   

Todd Wehr Library Call #: HD 9999 R635f 2000 / ISBN: 978-073820482

Guide to Nontraditional Careers in Science

Karen Young Kreeger
Philadelphia: Taylor and Francis 1999

This book was written for the purpose of stimulating graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to consider careers outside of academia.

Todd Wehr Library Call #: Q 147 K92g 1999 / ISBN: 1560326700

The Medical Science Liaison: An A to Z Guide

Erin Albert
Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse 2007

What is a medical science liaison (MSL) and what do they do?  This book is a comprehensive guide to the function of MSLs.  Perhaps the most valuable information is the list of MSL meetings contained in Table 1 which provide opportunities for trainees to get in-depth information about this career path. 

Todd Wehr Library Call #: QV 736 A333m 2007 / ISBN: 978-1434337504