Career Options if you know BIOINFORMATICS | Genomics With Georgia

Today we’re going through all the career paths open to you with a bioinformatics skillset!
Welcome to Genomics with Georgia! I'm a self taught data scientist with simply an undergrad in biology who transitioned from wet lab to dry lab during the pandemic. After sharing my career start on LinkedIn I've had lots of people reach out wanting more information on how to learn to code as a biologist and all things genomic data science. So here we are: Georgia is using this platform to share all she's learnt, the resources she's found and hopefully inspire people to pursue this awesome path.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 = intro
00:39 = recap - bioinformatic skill set
2:26 = academia 1 - academic
6:23 = academia 2 - technician
8:43 = academia 3 - core services
10:02 = academia 4 - operational units
12:15 = industry
16:01 = perks of industry
17:25 = tech
20:21 = misc
21:58 = wrap up
22:55 = outro
Links to mentioned helpful things:
★ www.techniciancommitment.org.uk
★ journals.plos.org/plosone/art...
★ www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/insight/202...
★ www.atlassian.com/agile/scrum
Learn to code like me:
★ Learn Python on Codecademy: www.codecademy.com/catalog/la... (Specifically Learn Python3)
★ Learn R (www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-r)
★ Learn the command line (www.codecademy.com/learn/lear...)
★ Code First Girls Uni Kickstarter: (codefirstgirls.com/courses/cl...)
★ Volunteer with CFG: (codefirstgirls.com/opportunit...)
★ My article with EI about why undergrads should learn to code (www.earlham.ac.uk/articles/st...)
Academic Background
🧬 Cert HE Medical Science Uni of Buckingham (2015-2016)
🧬 BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology & Genetics University of East Anglia (2017-2020)
🧬 Bioinformatics Internship with GenSoc at Earlham Institute (2020)
🧬 Employment as Genomic Data Scientist (2020)
Non-traditional Background
❥ Worked full-time during 2/3rds of my degree (I made the best Martini in Norwich)
❥ Estranged from my parents
❥ Carer during undergrad
Frequently Asked Questions:
•Q. How old are you?
•A. 25
•Q. When did you start learning to code?
•A. August 2019
•Q. What languages do you mainly use in your work?
•A. Python, Bash, R
•Q. Where are you based?
•A. I live and work in Cambridge UK
•Q. What do I work on?
•A. I'm a genomic data scientist working on malaria genomic surveillance
•Q. Why are you making this channel?
•A I feel very lucky to have stumbled into this field slightly before the start of the pandemic. I love my job so much and want to share how I made the transition from a wet lab biology degree and bring more transparency to the field of bioinformatics and genomic data science
Connect with me Socials:
➞ / genomicswit. .
➞ / gwhittonx
Contact:
☑ [e-mail]
Music Creds:
When I Was A Boy by Tokyo Music Walker | / user-356546060
Music promoted by www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/...

[@junxu4438]

In the US, Ph.D programs pay a stipend of about $30,000 a year, not enough to get rich, but you won’t starve. I was working as a staff in a core lab, when our director left, I stepped in as the new director because I have a Ph.D.

[@22sds22]

Hi! 🌸Thank you for the really useful video. i am a biology student currently in my second year and 'm pretty sure that wet lab is not something I see myself doinf in the future for many reasons. I discovered bioinformatics a while ago and after a lot of reaserch it seems a really interesting field, but what I've seen is that jobs are not really available in every contry and the switch from bioinformatics to computer science is not that easy. On the other side I noticed that many jobs for bioinformtics positions in bio-tech companies are also open for software engineers. I am thinking of leaving biology and start a bachelors degree in computer science just to be sure to have a job right after finishing (even tough the idea of leaving science makes me a little sad ). This way I would still apply for jobs in bio-tech with the reaasurance of having many other jobs opportunities. the other option is continuing with biology, getting a master in bioinformatics and taking the risk😅. sorry for the long message, it would really help if you could tell me what's you're view on this matter

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Hey sondoss, thanks for your message! Which countries are you looking at for roles? I’ve seen lots across many countries so would be interesting to know where you’re not finding these roles. You’re right, many people with software engineering backgrounds make their way to biotech. There’s different roles within biotech companies and traditionally if you have a biology background you would be in a more scientific role, so in terms of your question it depends which kind of job role are you after? More software engineering or more biologist! Learn coding and more doors will be open to you, either way 🩷

[@davidmandia5755]

Such an informative video. Thank you very much

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Glad it was helpful! 💖🌟

[@tamimkabir7477]

Hi Georgia. Thanks for your informative videos. Its really helpful for people like me, who want to deveop their career in Bioinformatics but dont know how. One suggestion for you, keep it short like 10-15 min would be better. Keep doing your good work. Thanks

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Hi Tamim, I’ve had somebody else suggest keeping my videos shorter too so will definitely keep this in mind, thanks for the feedback!

[@allergictoalliteration6033]

Hi Georgia, thanks so much for making these videos! Just a small piece of feedback, if that's okay: you occasionally speed up your video/audio mid-sentence (like at 8:57 and 18:00). I'm not sure why you do it but it can be very distracting and I end up having to rewind to catch what you said. This might just be my personal experience though, since I have ADHD and get thrown off quite easily, but I thought I'd share in case it makes a difference to others too. Anyway, I'm very thankful that you're helping me navigate genomic data science and bioinformatics, fields that are very new but very exciting to me. :)

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Hey, thanks for the feedback! Will bear this in mind when editing 🙌 glad to hear you’re finding the content helpful 💕🤞

[@mateusrossettovidal8412]

Thank you so much for sharing all of this. I'm in the middle of my PhD and thinking to change between academia to industry/tech after finishing my PhD. The problem is that even though there is a lot of bioinformatics in my project, I am just using lots of softwares and interpreting data, not exactly coding anything. So your video got me thinking that I definetily should invest some more time in learning to code if I want to make this change. One other question: how do you feel about working remotely as a bioinformatician? Is it something feasible or am I dreaming too much? I mean, the most fascinating thing in bioinformatics for me is that you can do a lot of cool stuff anywhere with your computer. I would like to find some job opportunities abroad, but I'm not so keen in the idea of moving to another country. Anyway, thank you so much for producing this kind of content!

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

No problem! Hopefully it’s demystified things a little bit for you! Sounds like you’re at an exciting stage in your career, so many options post PhD. That’s the thing with PhDs some can be very coding heavy, and some can be just using pre-built tools. If you want to work in industry post PhD you really need more (software) engineering type skills (think building pipelines, using cloud platforms, devops, training ML models etc). I’d suggest looking at job description for roles at some of your ideal industry companies and get an idea of what they’re looking for 🎉

[@djviper3898]

Should it be good for undergrad?

[@yordanosberihun4884]

Thank you, please give us a direction about universities they are reputable in learning bioinformatics.

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Yes I will! I only have knowledge on UK and Canada but will aim to cover this x

[@lucasfleitasibarrola2322]

Hi Georgia! Nice video. I have a question; is it viable to find remote jobs as a bioinformatician? I'm from Paraguay and my country is not developed in the field, but I'm not sure living abroad. I guess is kind of difficult because in industry the company wants to know you since they are going to work with you and of course paid you. So I guess it may be difficult. However I wanted to ask you since you know better. Thanks!

[@JadeRapt0r]

I am still trying to figure out how to make the transition to a job after college. In two more years, I'll have my bachelor's degree in computer science and biochemistry. This all after serving 10 years in the military.

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

That’s exciting for you Jade! You’re in a great spot, 2 years out of graduating, to get a feel for what you might like to go into and start making yourself more employable for those jobs :)

[@mathewarmstrong5093]

Hi Georgia. Been watching your videos here and there. I got a question about getting into bioinformatics that might be a bit unique… maybe… where could I ask that question so that others can benefit from your response? It’s mainly about selecting which bio classes as an undergrad. There is more though.

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Ask it here as it’s public and everyone can see!

[@mathewarmstrong5093]

@@genomicswithgeorgia thanks. I’m from the US. I live in China and I’m 37. I’ve been specializing up to now with teaching English (TESOL) and much more with teacher training in TESOL. I started to get a teaching license for back home and it led me down a crazy rabbit hole where I’ve spent a lot of time over the past two years doing other bachelor degrees. I’ve just got one more upper level class and a capstone to complete a computer science bachelor degree. I’ve also started a MS in Data science and should finish in a year. On top of all this madness, I’ve also realized I want to pursue my original passion which was biology. So I’m putting a hold on my computer science degree and completing a concentration in biology. At this rate I should finish all this in January or March of 2024: a bachelor degree with two majors CS and bio (in addition to my first which was in German…i know…) and my MS in data science will be completed as well. Sorry to put all that out there, but I’m kind of at a loss for how to orient my major in bio as it is extremely flexible. It has core courses: generally biology 1 and 2, microbiology, genetics, cell biology, chem 1-2, organic chem 1-2, physics 1-2. Im at a loss for what upper levels to take. I need to find and choose 4 upper level courses that might be finished in the final year of a bachelor degree. I know molecular biology would be a good idea. What about biochemistry? The biology degree I’m getting is from a university that is extremely flexible in how things are done and allows for lots of transfers. I have to find these upper level courses from outside that university. Thanks for any advice. And thanks for your videos and planting seeds in our heads about future possibilities.

[@keerthanapriya4967]

Georgia kindly do a video on Big data biology

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Will add to the list! Thank you 💕

[@akhtarsayed3291]

Hi Dear, so nice

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Thank you!

[@EliteLigue]

tell me about genetics

[@joshydev-gs4jm]

1000 subcriber❤

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Ahhh - thank you!! 💖💖💖

[@shayanraza638]

Hello, As a biotechnologist, I am interested in establishing professional communication. Please share your preferred method of contact. Thank you

[@genomicswithgeorgia]

Hiya, there’s a contact email in all of my video descriptions right at the bottom ✉️

[@ritaroy4248]

"Promo sm" 😆