Genetic Counselors
If you’re planning to have a family, you consider employing a genetic counselor to assess your future child’s risk of genetic diseases. By evaluating your genetic information, counselors determine the probability of your coming down with certain diseases and/or pass them on to your children.
If your family has a history of Huntington’s, Tay-Sachs disease — or any other serious diseases — this information could be very valuable.
You’ll need at least a master’s degree in genetic counseling or genetics, plus, a certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling to work in this role. Prospects for a career in this field are positive — jobs are slated to grow at a rate of 29 percent over the next eight years, according to the BLS.
