This summer, Middlesex Community College will debut the new Accelerated Biotechnology Career Builder. Featuring curriculum and faculty from Middlesex’s award-winning associate degree and certificate programs, the eight-week course offers hands-on learning and career advising. MCC will prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to be hired in in-demand, entry-level biotechnology roles across Massachusetts.
“We are thrilled to add a new accelerated option to our line-up of comprehensive, effective and successful biotech offerings,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’s President. “The Accelerated Biotechnology Career Builder exemplifies what we do best here at Middlesex, which is help get our students into the workforce as soon as possible. Over the eight weeks, students will have opportunities to learn from expert professionals who have worked in the field, engage in real-world experiences in our incredible lab, and receive career development assistance that will get them employed now. The goal is for these students to gain critical skills to get hired in high-demand roles, with the potential to seamlessly stay at the college to expand their education and advance their careers.”
Offered at no cost to unemployed or underemployed individuals, students will earn credit toward MCC’s biotech certificate and associate degree programs. The 90-hour accelerated option develops career-ready skills by combining 45 hours of lecture with 45 hours of in-person lab instruction on MCC’s Lowell Campus.
Focused on building industry-relevant skills, students learn important concepts to start working in the field now. Topics include an introduction to raw materials, the application and use of standard laboratory equipment and storage options, understanding quality control and good manufacturing practices, and following safety practices and identifying hazards.
To put their knowledge into practice, students will work in MCC’s state-of-the-art biotech lab. Typical to work environments found throughout the industry, students will prepare buffers, run protein assays, perform cell culture techniques, and learn instrumentation operation and repair and environmental monitoring.
“For over 35 years, our program has jumpstarted the careers of biotech employees throughout Massachusetts thanks, in part, to extensive practice in our industry-standard clean room,” said Mariluci Bladon, Ph.D., MCC’s Professor and Chair of the Biotechology Department. “Students in the Accelerated Biotechnology Career Builder will quickly learn and apply skills the industry is seeking, using the same equipment and materials they will see once entering the workforce. As the field grows and changes, Middlesex works with our partners to anticipate the needs of the industry to continue preparing high-quality graduates to fill much-needed roles.”
In addition to learning technical knowledge, students receive guidance from MCC’s Office of Career Integrated Learning (OCIL) to update career skills. OCIL provides professional development assistance, including creating resumes, preparing for job interviews, and finding open positions within the industry. Students will also have access to MCC’s student support services, including tutoring at the Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE).
The Mass Life Sciences Center (MLSC) recognized MCC’s biotech associate degree and certificate program as Pathmaker validated programs in the summer of 2024, affirming their alignment with industry standards and meeting Pathmaker Core Competencies. Middlesex also offers an award-winning Biotechnology Learn and Earn program to provide students with the opportunity to work full-time for a partner company while earning a degree. Students who complete the Accelerated Biotechnology Career Builder can start working in the field and continue their education at MCC.
“MCC’s biotech program has been a proven leader in the field for the past three decades, strengthening the workforce with employees of different backgrounds and providing opportunities to those hoping to jumpstart or advance in their careers,” said Dr. Marie Tupaj, MCC’s Dean of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). “We are excited to continue this work with the Accelerated Biotechnology Career Builder, getting our students into the workforce as soon as possible, preparing them to further their education here at Middlesex and beyond, and helping to transform their professional and personal lives for the better.”
MCC’s first Accelerated Biotechnology Career Builder cohort will run from Tuesday, May 27 to Friday, July 25. Learn more and register for the course!