Hi Pragya,

Scope of Biotechnology for B.Tech students:

Any student who is contemplating on pursuing a career in Biotechnology must be aware that this field is still developing in India. Therefore, the number of job openings and pay packages are both very low when compared with IT and CS fields.

After a BTech degree, students can find jobs in pharmaceutical companies, research labs and institutions in India. However, most Indian students tend to go abroad to pursue their masters or doctorate studies in Biotechnology and allied fields. Some students also shift to MBA and enter the world of business, finance and banking as their engineering background gives them the required quantitative skills to excel in these sectors. Also, many students shift to software through on-campus placements. Talking about on-campus placements, since the number of job openings is very less in Biotechnology, the number of companies coming for placements will be very less. Also, core companies only hire students from universities such as IITs, NITs etc. If your university is not reputed nationally or state wise, chances of any biotech or pharmaceutical company coming for placements sessions will be close to nil.

Since this field is highly research oriented, vast and diverse, it is highly recommended that students pursue their graduate studies in Biotechnology, Biomedical sciences, Biological sciences, Bioprocess Engineering etc.

Scope of Biotechnology for BSc students:

If you are a BSc student in biotechnology or any other biological sciences related fields, it is highly recommended that you pursue your MSc. The job opportunities for BSc graduates in a highly research oriented field as biotechnology is very less and most students tend to pursue their MSc in Biotechnology or a specialized discipline of biotechnology. India is home to some excellent MSc programs such as JNU, DU, IISc, TIFR, IITs etc. With an MSc degree, most students tend to work in research labs and industries as research assistants. The pay package is also quite less for MSc graduates. Since India is still developing, it is highly recommended that you do your MSc in a reputed institution for good campus placements and job opportunities. If your university is not reputed, chances of any biotech company coming for placements will be zero.

Many MSc students tend to pursue their PhD degrees in Biotechnology or related fields as a PhD degree opens up more avenues both in India and worldwide. A PhD degree will give you the ability to start your own research lab, become a professor or head of the department in universities or be the lead for a team of research scientists. If your goal is to create a niche for yourself in Biotechnology, then your best bet will be to get a PhD.