Working in a lab might be a dream come true for many aspiring scientists, but few people actually know what goes on in a lab. Sure, experiments are conducted and samples are analyzed, but there’s more to lab work than just that. In fact, there are many possible career paths for those who hope to someday work in a lab.

If this is something that interests you, but you’re not sure if it’s a good option or what exactly you would do in a lab, you’ve come to the right place.

Scientist

Of course, when people hear the word “lab”, their brains often immediately go to science, so it makes sense that we’d mention it in this post.

Scientists often work in labs, although what work they do will depend on their field. Scientists may use labs as a space to conduct experiments, but there are also other things that they can do. Many scientists enjoy spending their time by analyzing samples from various sources.

If this is the kind of scientist you hope to become, you might want to look into a few things that could help you. An additional course on lab safety will come in handy, as will this laboratory inventory management software solution by SciNote.

Chemist

As mentioned above, there are many different kinds of labs. However, most labs can benefit from an expert in chemistry.

Not only can chemists help to analyze samples using chemistry, but they can also help when it comes to experiments. On top of that, chemists are often invaluable when it comes to creating or bettering certain products or substances that might be produced in a lab.

That being said, if you do decide to go into the field of chemistry, lab work isn’t your only option. Because chemistry is such a broad field, there are many things that you can do with a chemistry degree.

Researcher

As mentioned, all labs rely heavily on science. And as you probably know, science cannot exist without research. If you are interested in science, experiments, and other similar things, but you don’t actively want to participate in said experiments, becoming a researcher might be a great option for you.

People who work in labs cannot work alone – they need a team. Scientists who are conducting experiments all day might not have the time to write up proper research reports, so if that is where your passion lies, you could be a valuable addition to their team. Of course, there are a few things that are vital in research, so you need to make sure you’re cut out for the job.

Technician

The job of a lab technician is often a jack-of-all-trades kind of job. They often have to help people in various divisions of the lab, and their job is quite broad.

As you can imagine, lab technicians are generally those responsible for making sure that all of the equipment and machinery in the lab is functioning as it should. However, they do more than that as well. Lab technicians may also be responsible for recording data and helping with certain scientific processes. If you want to work in a lab but you’re not sure what exactly you want to do there, this is a great option because of its involvement in various parts of the lab.

Assistant

People often look down on assistants, but the truth is that they are a very important part of any lab. Becoming a lab assistant can also be very beneficial for you.

The first reason for this is that it gives you a chance to dip your toes into the water. You can see how a lab works on the inside, and decide if that’s where you want to work. Secondly, it’s a great idea for people who want part-time work, especially students. You will get to learn more about your field of study while also earning an income and gaining valuable contacts.

Conclusion

Working in a lab can be a rewarding and fulfilling job. That being said, it’s certainly not for everyone. No matter what job you do in a lab, the odds are that you will have to work incredibly hard. Of course, if this is your passion, it will probably be something that you enjoy doing.

A bonus of working in a lab is the fact that there are so many different job options that you can choose one that works for you and helps you hone your skills.