Career Trends: November 9, 2022
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Content Credit:
- Article by Libin Thomas, published on tcglobal.com. Original article link.
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that has gained a lot of traction and popularity over the years. Not only does it help us understand the working of a brain, but it also helps to identify functions and processes associated with it.
This can improve the way we understand the cognitive and thinking capabilities of different beings.
What is Neuroscience and how is it different from Psychology?
The terms neuroscience and psychology are often used interchangeably, though there’s a big difference between the two.
Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary science that encompasses different fields such as computer science, physiology, psychology, engineering, medicine, chemistry, biology and mathematics. It focuses on the scientific and fundamental study of the brain and the nervous system.
Psychology, on the other hand, is the science that includes the study of how the mind works. It deals with our thoughts, feelings, emotions and conscience. Psychologists generally explore the behaviour and mental status of people which can help them to understand personalities, measure intelligence and gauge the cognitive levels of individuals.
Although the two are separate sciences, at their cores, they remain relevant and linked to each other.
Some of the major branches of neuroscience include computational neuroscience, nano-neuroscience, neural engineering, neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and paleoneurology.
Career Options in Neuroscience:
A few of the most lucrative jobs in neuroscience are:
1. Clinical Neuropsychologist
- It is a job that is closely related to clinical psychology.
- Clinical neuropsychologists analyse behavioural patterns and match them with brain functions in order to diagnose brain disorders and assess the cognitive functioning of an individual.
2. Cognitive Neuroscientist
- It is a job that encompasses both psychology as well as neuroscience.
- Cognitive Neuroscientists specialise in certain fields such as psychology or the physiological study of the nervous system.
- They are responsible for developing treatment plans for patients depending on the type of neurological disorder they have been diagnosed with.
3. Neurosurgeon
- Neurosurgeons diagnose nervous systems and perform complex surgeries on the brain or the nervous system to repair damages brought about by illnesses or injuries.
- It is the most challenging as well as one of the highest-paying jobs in neuroscience.
4. Neurologist
- Neurologists are doctors who specialise in treating neurological disorders.
- They treat patients who suffer from different types of neurological disorders including schizophrenia, epilepsy etc.
5. Neuropathologist
- Neuropathologists study the brain and nervous system tissues in order to assess them and identify diseases.
- The job combines the fields of pathology, neurology and neurosurgery.
6. Neuroscientist
- They conduct research in order to develop breakthroughs in the field.
- Neuroscientists can work in hospitals, academic centres, laboratories or offices depending on their specialisations.
- One must have a PhD or an MD in neuroscience in order to become a neuroscientist.
7. Biostatistician
- It is a career that requires one to be an expert in both neuroscience and statistics.
- Biostatistics requires one to develop criteria for studies and to analyse data in order to predict outcomes of medical procedures, laboratory tests and field statistics.
8. Scientific Writer
- Scientific writers are responsible for discussing the latest developments in the field of neuroscience and helping the common man to understand them.
- They will have to do a lot of research and be able to understand scientific theories and practises in order to relay them effectively.
In fact, careers based on neuroscience can span across different industries including academics, governance and policy-making, healthcare, business, journalism and others.
In order to pursue a career in any of the above-mentioned fields, a background in science or engineering is a necessity. One can look at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in neuroscience to build their careers.
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
Effective Ways To Declutter Your Mind and Achieve Clarity
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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