A Career Path in the Life Sciences (Summer Program)

Welcome to "A Career Path in the Life Sciences."

This ongoing course offers students and parents an in‑depth exploration of diverse career pathways within the life sciences, including medicine, nursing, surgical support, clinical research, pharmacy, pharmacy benefit management, physical therapy, and more. 

Through weekly sessions, participants will examine the academic and certification requirements at the high school, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, and gain a clear understanding of job roles, career progression (both lateral and vertical), compensation ranges, and typical benefits packages.

Each module features presentations from practicing professionals who share firsthand insights into their day‑to‑day responsibilities, what they find most rewarding, and areas they believe could be enhanced. These guest speakers also offer practical advice and recommendations for students aspiring to enter their fields. 

By the end of the course, families will have a comprehensive roadmap to guide educational planning, extracurricular choices, and informed decision‑making about future majors, minors, and certifications in the life sciences.

Weekly Breakdown

1.	Week of June 1st: Physician (MD vs. DO)
2.	Week of June 8th: Surgeon and Surgical Assistant, Surgical Technologist
3.	Week of June 15th: Pharmacist and Pharm Assistant, PBMs
4.	Week of June 122nd: Physician Assistant and Public Health
5.	Week of June 22nd: Nursing - CNA, LPN, RN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner, 
6.	Week of July 6th: Nursing – DNP, Nurse Anesthetist, Surg Nurse, and Beyond. 
7.	Week of July 13th: Dentist and Dental Hygienist
8.	Week of July 20th: Clinical Drug Research  
9.	Week of July 27th: Clinical Drug Research Field Jobs CRA, CRO, CTC, DSA 
10.	Week of Aug 3rd: Physical Therapist  and PT  Assistant 
11.	Week of Aug 10th: Veterinary and Veterinary Assistant


By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Map Life Science Career Pathways: Identify and describe a variety of professions in medicine, nursing, clinical research, pharmacy benefit management, physical therapy, and related fields.

2. Understand Educational Requirements: Articulate the high school courses, college majors/minors, graduate degrees, and professional certifications needed for each career.

3. Analyze Job Roles and Progression: Compare day‑to‑day responsibilities, career ladders (lateral moves and promotions), and specialty tracks within each profession.

4. Evaluate Compensation and Benefits: Research and interpret typical salary ranges, benefits packages, and other incentives associated with different life science roles.

5. Engage with Industry Professionals: Formulate thoughtful questions, synthesize firsthand insights from guest speakers, and assess which aspects of each career align with personal interests and strengths.

6. Develop a Personalized Action Plan: Create an academic and extracurricular roadmap—including course selection, volunteer experiences, and certifications—to prepare for the chosen life science pathway.