Microbiology Career Night was held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at the New Campus Center, Harbor Campus, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA. Speakers at this event were Jeffrey D. Klinger, PhD, Vice-President, R&D Operations, Genzyme, Inc, Waltham, MA; Katherine Klinger, PhD, Senior Vice President, Genzyme, Inc., Framingham, MA; Nira Pollock, MD, PhD, Infectious Disease Fellow, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA; and Gregory V. Reppucci, Professor of Food Science, Northshore Community College, Danvers, MA.

Dr. Jeffrey Klinger described his experiences in the field of microbiology. He said that employers don't always look for the most intelligent person, a team player who works well with everyone is preferred for most positions. He described various courses at MA colleges available to students, and discussed the importance of networking, learning to write grants, and building relationships while still in college. He mentioned the many opportunities in various fields open to microbiologists such as in the clinical, biotechnology, public health, environmental, and other life sciences. He encouraged students to keep to their "strategic plan" Ð there will always be jobs that we currently can't even think of, because microbiology is constantly changing. "Bacteria and their hosts will always be with us!" he said.

Dr. Katherine Klinger described her experiences, beginning with graduation from college to the rise to her position as head of the Genetics and Genomics Department at Genzyme. She sees a resurgence in gene networks sequencing. She mentioned that microbiology envelops so many things in the life sciences. She strongly urge students to (1) have a passion for what you want to do (laboratory work is not a glamorous job!) and (2) learn how to think and analyze. An educated mind can carry you through any area in the life sciences; learn how to think well and you can do anything you want to!

Dr. Nira Pollock became interested in what bacteria did to people while she was in medical school. She first learned how to take care of patients, then went on to infectious diseases diagnostics, and is currently interested in tuberculosis. She described her involvement with the laboratory, where there are people at different levels and professional stages, from laboratory technicians to the laboratory director and pathologist, all of whom must work together to make a diagnosis. The laboratory is a service-oriented place that is very important in the diagnosis of disease and is the only place where we can be actually sure of a diagnosis. It is a collaborative environment critical to a diagnosis. Physicians must communicate with nearly everyone in the laboratory. Dr. Pollock described the various types of laboratory positions available, the type of work done, and the education required. If additional information is desired about her discussion, she can be contacted at npollock@bidmc.harvard.edu.