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Are job opportunities great for biotechnology majors in the U.S. as a non-US citizen and non permanent resident?
Currently a rising high school senior. I am thinking of majoring in Biotechnology, so I want to know how do employment opportunities look like as Biotech major.
I am also considering grad school.
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4 answers
Updated
Sanja’s Answer
Before I became a citizen it was actually harder to find a good job, being that you would need a sponsor. In order to have a sponsor for a job your skills have to be unique. I say apply for citizenship and go through the process. It opens up a lot more possibilities!
Thank you for the advice! And citizenship is a long shot for me and I may not receive it in time after graduation.
Meghana
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Shahneela’s Answer
Job prospects in the biotechnology field in the U.S. are promising, even if you're not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. However, your success hinges on obtaining work authorization and finding an employer willing to sponsor visas such as the H-1B. Many biotechnology firms are open to sponsoring overseas workers, especially those with unique skills or knowledge. This opens up the possibility for you to chase a career in this field.
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Emma’s Answer
Work authorization is essential and can be obtained through various visas, with employer sponsorship often necessary. The U.S. biotechnology industry is growing, offering diverse roles, especially for those with specialized skills. Building a strong network, gaining relevant experience through internships, and optimizing resume and interview skills are crucial for success. Geographic location also plays a role in job availability. Staying informed about immigration policies and seeking guidance from experts is advisable for non-U.S. citizens pursuing biotechnology careers in the United States.
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Klaus’s Answer
Hi Meghana,
Your question involves a few different topics and I want to slightly break it down for you.
First, Biotechnology is a very broad term and can be applied to different areas. As a Biotechnology major, you could potentially work in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, environmental science, med science, and more, with many of those are expanding rapidly in recent years. And therefore the number of opportunities will be different from one to another. While you are at school and taking classes, keep exploring what interest you most and slowly narrow down your career path. Grad school or other programs will largely depend on your major.
Second, based on how you ask this question, I am assuming that you will need sponsorship through your employment(H1B). Because of this, you chances on landing a job will be greatly impacted. Per my understanding of the job market from a few years back and from what I heard, biotech H1B is rather limited compared to other STEM majors but not impossible. Here's a report shown the number of H1B applicants from different companies in 2022 https://h1bgrader.com/reports/sponsors/lca/2022. Try to see if the bio-tech companies you are interested are on the list. Unfortunately, based on statistics in the 2022 report, the number of biotech h1b sponsorship applications is only a small fraction of other industries.
Good Luck.
Your question involves a few different topics and I want to slightly break it down for you.
First, Biotechnology is a very broad term and can be applied to different areas. As a Biotechnology major, you could potentially work in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, environmental science, med science, and more, with many of those are expanding rapidly in recent years. And therefore the number of opportunities will be different from one to another. While you are at school and taking classes, keep exploring what interest you most and slowly narrow down your career path. Grad school or other programs will largely depend on your major.
Second, based on how you ask this question, I am assuming that you will need sponsorship through your employment(H1B). Because of this, you chances on landing a job will be greatly impacted. Per my understanding of the job market from a few years back and from what I heard, biotech H1B is rather limited compared to other STEM majors but not impossible. Here's a report shown the number of H1B applicants from different companies in 2022 https://h1bgrader.com/reports/sponsors/lca/2022. Try to see if the bio-tech companies you are interested are on the list. Unfortunately, based on statistics in the 2022 report, the number of biotech h1b sponsorship applications is only a small fraction of other industries.
Good Luck.