If you want to start a career in molecular pharmacology, there are a few immediate steps that you can take to help put you on your way. Among these steps are identifying a specific career, establishing a starting and end point, and laying out the road that will eventually lead to your goals. Following all of these steps will not give you a molecular pharmacology career overnight, but they will certainly help the cause.
The first thing you need to do is figure out where you are and determine where you want to be. This does not have to be specific, but you should have at least a few ideas in mind. Think about your age, experience, education, and aspirations. A high school student, for example, has to plan for college, while a molecular biologist may need to transfer an already sound skill set to a different field.
Molecular pharmacology is primarily concerned with the field of pharmacology but from a very detailed perspective. Pharmacists may be experts on the administration of medicines, and doctors are knowledgeable on the prescription of medication. Molecular pharmacologists are responsible for creating, testing, and implementing many new drugs that combat a plethora of diseases.
If accomplishing these goals sounds like something you would enjoy, then perhaps molecular pharmacology is for you. In order to break into this field, you basically need two things: experience and education. Now, gaining experience can be tricky. This is because it is somewhat of a catch-22, with most opportunities to gain experience actually requiring experience.
One way around this is to volunteer time, shadow, or try to get an internship. Getting in touch with professionals regarding these possibilities is a great idea. Shadowing can help you be sure you want to get into molecular pharmacology, while volunteering is a great way to network if no jobs are available. Internships also tend to be less competitive than actual jobs, many times offering a path to a career that may not otherwise be accessible.
Education tends to be more straightforward. Basically, getting great grades and acquiring as much information as possible into the field of molecular pharmacology should be your focus. If you already have a degree in an unrelated field, you may need more schooling. Try to keep costs down as education-related expenses can grow in a hurry. Also, be sure to stick with the most reputable programs you can.
