Hey All,
I am currently a senior finishing up a Bachelors in Bioinformatics, I was wondering what the benefits of pursuing the field as compare to Software Engineering? Is it worth going further in debt to get a Master in Bioinformatics even though I'm not likely to make more and have more job opportunities as a Software Engineer?
•
written
by
graff1994 •
2 answers
Look, you'll be in demand, have decent jobs, and make a good living in either bioinformatics or software engineering. The questions you really need to be asking are: What do I want to work on? What kind of job will be fulfilling to me?
I've asked a lot of people what they'd do if they had a billion dollars. A lot of regular folks say they'd quit their job, travel the world, etc. When I ask this question of scientists (including bioinformaticians), it's striking that almost none of them say they'd retire from research. Change positions, maybe. Be better funded - sure. But the people I know in science believe that what they do is amazingly interesting and has the potential to change the world for the better.
Personally, I wouldn't find that kind of fulfillment in being a cog in an advertising machine, or selling crappy smartphone games. Maybe you would ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Science isn't for everyone, but if you're up for the challenge, it can be incredibly rewarding.
•
written
by
Chris Miller
I logged in just to reply to this lol. I worked in the Bioinformatics field for 5 years and it just feels like being jack of all trades and master of none.
Yes, by enabling you to do your job, by building better software that empowers you a la UNIX pipes. As someone that has been on both sides, both careers are incredibly rewarding if you're in the right place.
Once you spend >1 year in software with freedom to explore solutions, you develop the vision to see the architecture behind algorithms and that's when you transcend mere software programming/coding to the realm of modeling solutions and designing strategies.
I got to that stage in around 15 months. What I learnt in 30 months of my career as a software developer/educator/data specialist has enabled me deal with problem solving in a much better way than if I'd stuck to just bioinformatics - I might not have gotten past basic implementations. Not to mention that my pals, who stuck to the software career and made the right choices (like investing time in the right emerging technology) have gone on to become extremely valuable players in the mainstream market.
So yes, we have incredibly rewarding jobs. Unless you're thinking of code monkeys, software engineers have an amazing life too. Like Chris said, it depends on what you want your life to be about. Do you wish to be closer to life sciences, or would you like your contributions more abstract?
Very well put.. I have lately been inclining towards learning Java for the next 1 year and move to IT completely. Having a solid foundation in a programming language that has proved to be the king for decades is much better than writing short scripts. I do believe majority of the people in Bioinformatics have no clue about software engineering because all the short codes written is for purely analysis. I naturally have been rejecting the Bioinformatics field since 2020 where i quit my dream NYU Langone Health job when I saw how messed up research was even at the supposedly best place to work as a Bioinformatician. That literally opened my life to experiment with new things and I am glad I did because it made me see how shallow Bioinformatics field without any depth of computer science even though the name itself has 'informatics'!
I am looking forward to Java.
Log in to answer this question.
-
Forum: Career Advice
written by Alwaz •
-
Job: Open Rank Bioinformatics Software Engineer I and Engineer II
written by Jana •
-
Job: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics engineer positions @ Myriad in South San Francisco
written by Ying W
-
Job: Senior Bioinformatics Engineer - Genomics Philadelphia Area
written by sarmady.m •
-
Job: Senior Data Engineer @ Baylor Genetics (Houston, TX, USA)
written by careers •
-
Job: Bioinformatics Software Engineer - remote from Minneapolis possible?
written by brian.repko •
-
Forum: Skills & qualities required to be a Bioinformatician
written by koushikayaluri •
-
Career In Bioinformatics
written by priyankachowdary2 •
-
Most Relevant Course For Bioinformatics
written by majid.fatima •
-
What Is The Scope/Job Opportunities After Completing Masters In Bioinformatics In Germany ??
written by rajath4swim •
It's more fun.
It is not solved yet.
Asking Biostars if you should continue working in Bioinformatics, is like asking Donald Trump if comb-overs are cool.