Enjoy solving a puzzle or digging into a new problem? You can make a big difference to health with lab work
There is a lot of healthcare work that happens behind the scenes – work that patients never see during their appointments! Pathologists help diagnose and monitor diseases, pharmacists mix medicines, while researchers are chasing the next cutting-edge treatments. If you’re fascinated by science and love working out tricky problems, you’re well set up to test out a career in medical lab work.
Meet Karli Green, studying a Bachelor of Biomedical science and Bachelor of Mathematics
Karli’s interest in biomedical science is personal.
“When I was 15, I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer, which deeply influenced my decision to pursue a career focused on cancer research.”
Her interest in maths has led her to a double degree in mathematics and biomedical science.
Besides classes, at uni she’s enjoyed working with student societies, and she’s working on publishing a research paper from a project she’s done.
She also got to spend 3 weeks on an exchange in Germany studying molecular biotechnology. “While the academic component was excellent… my favourite part was seeing snow for the first time!”
She’s planning to pursue further study once her bachelor degree is done, and eventually work in cancer genomics research or clinical settings.
Karli’s tip for uni? “Enjoy the degree! While it can be challenging, it’s also very broad, and you may discover areas of interest you didn’t expect and develop lifelong friendships along the way.”
Karli’s career path
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Mathematics
- Volunteer, Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation (Pankind)
- Executive team, QUT’s Biomedical Science Society (BIOMS)
Employment opportunities
- Biochemist
- Health researcher
- Compounding pharmacist
- Medicine (after further study)
- Pathology scientist
Courses to study
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
Show me the money
- Laboratory technician: $75k – $85k
- Pathologist: $135k – $155k
- Microbiologist: $80k – $100k
Average salaries according to seek.com.au
Fascinated by biomedicine?
Check out our dedicated job kit on biomedical science.
Read more
- Meet an intern pharmacist
- Kicking goals: Pathology careers in footy
- Prepare for the future of health careers
This post was brought to you in partnership with QUT, and first appeared in Careers with STEM: Study Health at QUT.
