Day
in the Life
Science technicians
work under a wide variety of conditions. Most work indoors, usually in
laboratories, and have regular hours. Some occasionally work irregular
hours to monitor experiments that cannot be completed during regular
working hours. Production technicians often work in 8-hour shifts around
the clock. Others, such as agricultural, forest and conservation,
geological and petroleum, and environmental science and protection
technicians, perform much of their work outdoors, sometimes in remote
locations.
Advances in automation
and information technology require technicians to operate more
sophisticated laboratory equipment. Science technicians make extensive
use of computers, electronic measuring equipment, and traditional
experimental apparatus.
Technicians usually
begin work as trainees in routine positions under the direct supervision
of a scientist or a more experienced technician. As they gain
experience, technicians take on more responsibility and carry out
assignments under only general supervision, and some eventually become
supervisors.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by
the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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