Careers outside the lab

A Marketing Officer discusses company marketing plan
Science graduates today have near limitless career options. Find out more about some of the exciting opportunities outside the lab:

Patent examiner
Quality assurance officer
Pharmaceutical sales representative
Secondary teacher
Marketing officer

Patent examiner

Main tasks
Patent examiners review patent applications before granting patent rights for new inventions.
They may perform the following tasks:

  • report on patent applications’ compliance with Australian patent legislation
  • assess whether patent applications provide adequate technical description of the invention, and whether patent rights are justified
  • research existing inventions, patents, and legal issues
  • search online databases to check patents held in Australia and overseas
  • communicate patent application outcomes to applicants.

Key skills

  • analytical skills
  • strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Australian citizenship, or eligibility to apply.

Salary
According to IP Australia, the salary range for patent examiners is $61,360–$85,904 depending on qualifications and experience.

Employment prospects
There are currently around 190 patent examiners employed by the Patent Office in Canberra. Limited vacancies become available for this role so competition is strong. Vacancies with IP Australia are advertised in the Commonwealth Gazette.

Main employers
Patent examiners are employed in Canberra by the Patent Office of IP Australia, an independent body within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. Experienced patent examiners have career opportunities in other government departments, patent offices of large companies, and patent attorney firms.

Find out more
IP Australia www.ipaustralia.gov.au

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Quality assurance officer

Main tasks
Quality assurance officers examine and test products or services to ensure they meet set quality standards. They may perform the following tasks:

  • devise specifications against which to compare a product/service
  • test products to assess their compliance with quality standards, and take any necessary corrective action
  • examine and report on quality assurance data, and make recommendations for improvements
  • write reports.

Key skills

  • attention to detail
  • a thorough and methodical approach
  • strong verbal and written communication skills
  • ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, the starting salary for quality assurance officers is around $40,000. Senior and management roles in this profession can command salaries of around $70,000.

Employment prospects
According to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ (DEEWR) Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for the category to which this occupation belongs (product quality controllers) are currently below average, and unemployment is high. Employment to 2012–13 is expected to decline.

Main employers
Science-related quality assurance jobs are available in pharmaceutical companies and with manufacturers of chemicals and other products, and in some government departments.

Find out more
Australian Organisation for Quality (AOQ), www.aoq.net.au

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Pharmaceutical sales representative

Main tasks
Pharmaceutical sales reps promote and sell pharmaceutical products and services to health and retail professionals. They may perform the following tasks:

  • visit customers (doctors, pharmacists, hospitals) to promote and sell products
  • work out customers’ needs and explain products
  • keep up to date with the company’s products and those of competitors
  • provide price quotes and record orders
  • organise for delivery and/or installation of goods
  • report to management on sales, product marketability and client feedback.

Key skills

  • sales ability
  • a confident, friendly manner
  • excellent communication and customer service skills
  • strong negotiation skills
  • ability to continually develop product knowledge
  • a drivers licence.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, the starting salary for pharmaceutical sales reps is around $40,000. The median salary for this occupation is around $80,000. Pharmaceutical sales reps can progress to senior sales and executive roles and earn up to around $200,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for the category to which this occupation belongs (technical sales representatives) are currently good, and unemployment is below average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be moderate.

Main employers
Pharmaceutical sales reps in Australia are employed by pharmaceutical companies like Alphapharm, Biota, GlaxoSmithKline, Herron, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer.

Find out more
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), www.psa.org.au
Pharmacy Guild of Australia www.guild.org.au

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A science teacher inspires her students
Secondary teacher

Main tasks
A secondary school science teacher may teach science to Years 7–12 students. General science is typically taught at junior levels, and specialisations (biology, chemistry, physics) at later school years. Secondary school teachers may perform the following tasks:

  • prepare lesson plans
  • teach classes
  • supervise laboratory work
  • assess students’ work
  • evaluate and report on student progress
  • carry out relevant administrative tasks.

Key skills

  • ability in, and passion for, science
  • ability to clearly communicate concepts and scientific subject matter
  • patience and tolerance
  • strong organisational skills.

Salary
Salaries for teachers vary widely between the different Australian states, and according to level of teaching experience. According to The Good Universities Guide 2009 the average starting salary for graduate teachers is around $45,000. It is advisable to check the state government department of education and training websites for information on teacher salary ranges around the country.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for secondary school teachers are currently good, and unemployment is below average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be slight. Science teachers are in demand, and the Federal Government has promised to cut HECS-HELP payments for science teachers, and offer a further 50% reduction on fees if students stay in science teaching after graduating.

Main employers
Both state and private secondary schools throughout the country.

Find out more
State departments of education and training:
ACT www.det.act.gov.au
NSW www.det.nsw.edu.au
NT www.deet.nt.gov.au
QLD http://education.qld.gov.au
SA www.decs.sa.gov.au
TAS www.education.tas.gov.au
VIC www.education.vic.gov.au
WA www.det.wa.edu.au

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Marketing officer

Main tasks
Marketing officers are responsible for promoting a company’s products or services. They may perform the following tasks:

  • follow the relevant business market and respond to market opportunities and threats
  • devise aims for market share and growth
  • promote products and services within specific markets
  • manage the distribution of products
  • devise strategies for advertising, public relations and sales promotion
  • help develop new products to cater for market demand.

Key skills

  • strong analytical, interpretative and creative skills
  • excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • strong organisational skills
  • ability to work as part of a team, or independently.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, the average graduate salary in this occupation is around $39,000. The median salary across this occupation is around $68,000. Senior marketing and marketing management roles can command salaries in excess of $120,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for the category to which this occupation belongs (Marketing, PR and advertising professionals) are currently good, and unemployment is average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be moderate.

Main employers
Marketing officers can work in the science field for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical or other scientific companies, or for research companies and foundations.

Find out more
Australian Marketing Institute (AMI), www.ami.org.au
Australian Market and Social Research Society (AMSRS), www.mrsa.com.au
The Marketing Association of Australia and New Zealand (MAANZ), www.marketing.org.au

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Hobsons graduate careers program & recruitment opportunities for Australian university graduates