Majors Minors & Maybes - Career Exploration for Curious Minds

Preserving the Future of Precision Medicine: The Scientific Curator

What if the next breakthrough in cancer treatment, genetic research, or personalized medicine depended on someone you've probably never heard of? In this episode of Majors, Minors & Maybes, we're uncovering the fascinating world of the Scientific Curator. The STEM professional responsible for organizing, preserving, and protecting the biological samples and scientific data that fuel life-changing medical discoveries. Through a compelling fictional story inspired by real careers, you'll step inside a high-security biobank where one tiny data error could derail years of precision medicine research. Then, we'll pull back the curtain on the real career: where scientific curators work, how to become one, the education path, salary expectations, and why this behind-the-scenes profession is becoming increasingly important in biotechnology, genomics, healthcare, and biomedical research. Whether you're a student exploring STEM careers, an educator introducing career pathways, or simply curious about the hidden jobs shaping our future, this episode will change the way you think about modern medicine. In this episode, you'll discover: * What a Scientific Curator actually does * How scientific curation supports precision medicine and genomic research * Where Scientific Curators work: from hospitals and biobanks to pharmaceutical companies and research institutes * Degrees, skills, and education pathways into the field * Career outlook, salary insights, and work style * A surprising "Curious Career Fact of the Week" about preserving biological samples for future discoveries Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs in science begin with the people making sure every sample, every record, and every detail is exactly where it needs to be. Show Notes: Scientific Curator: The Hidden Guardian of Biobanks and Precision Medicine Dr. W. hosts “Majors, Minors, and Maybes” to spotlight the scientific curator, a behind-the-scenes profession that organizes, preserves, and safeguards biological samples and scientific data critical to precision medicine. The episode explains how curators work across hospitals, labs, universities, pharma, biotech, genomic centers, and biobanks to ensure proper storage, accurate labeling, ethical consent, legal compliance, and traceable sample histories so research remains trustworthy. A fictional vignette follows Dr. Lena Morales, lead curator at the Meridian Genomics Institute, who detects a single transposed digit that misrouted a trial sample, halts downstream analysis, and prevents compromised cancer research. Dr. W outlines typical education pathways, key skills (systems thinking, databases, quality control, ethics, genomics/bioinformatics), work style, and salary ranges, and notes biobanks may store specimens in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. The episode ends by teasing olfactory branding consultants for next time. 00:00 Frozen Future Vial 00:44 Meet Scientific Curators 02:27 Precision Medicine Stakes 03:19 Lena in the Biobank 04:24 Barcode Error Crisis 05:47 Why This Role Matters 06:43 Office Hours Breakdown 07:03 Where Curators Work 08:20 Education Pathways 09:43 Day to Day Work Style 10:53 Salary and Growth 12:24 Curious Fact Time Capsules 12:55 Listener Questions Wrap 13:46 Next Episode Teaser

Secret Scientists Behind Every Bite: The Food Scientist

What do potato chips, yogurt, frozen pizza, sports drinks, and even your favorite cookies have in common? Behind each one is a food scientist. In this episode of Majors, Minors & Maybes, we're uncovering the fascinating career that blends chemistry, biology, creativity, and problem-solving into one delicious profession. Join us as we follow a day in the life of a food scientist, explore how food products are developed and tested, and discover the surprising science behind flavor, texture, safety, and shelf life. You'll also hear from Ranee Anderson, a real food scientist who shares what it's like to work in the field, how foods are tested for bacteria during processing and shipping, the biggest surprises about the profession, and advice for students who aren't sure whether they belong in STEM. Whether you're curious about science, love food, or are looking for a career that's equal parts laboratory and innovation, this episode serves up a career you may not have considered, but probably interact with every single day. Show Notes: Following the Flavor: Inside the World of Food Science The episode of “Majors, Minors, and Maybes” follows food scientist Josie as she troubleshoots chip texture and flavor in a lab, adjusting humidity, extrusion settings, and seasoning ratios while also tackling sodium reduction, shelf-life testing, plant-based protein experiments, and food safety reviews. Dr. W. explains that food science is controlled experimentation that blends chemistry, creativity, and collaboration to make foods safe, stable, and enjoyable across manufacturing and shipping. Guest Renee Anderson describes how research determines safe storage conditions and how food scientists study pathogens like salmonella, listeria, and E. coli, and she highlights the field’s breadth and varied entry points. The script outlines common degrees, internships, and related experiences, gives salary ranges (about $50k–$65k entry-level and $100k+ senior), shares a fact about annatto creating cheddar’s orange color, and teases a next episode on scientific curators of human genetic data. 00:00 The Science of Crunch 01:24 Meet Josie in the Lab 03:19 Dialing In Flavor 04:07 A Day in Food Science 05:53 Is Food Science for You 06:35 Food Safety and the Journey 07:54 Guest Renee on Bacteria 10:09 Food Science Career Paths 12:00 Degrees Internships and Skills 13:08 Belonging in STEM 15:06 Paychecks and Reality Check 17:14 Surprising Foods Scientists Touch 18:54 Curious Fact Color and Taste 19:46 Renee on Phages and Detection 21:01 Wrap Up and Next Episode

VR, Vital Signs & Video Games: The Medical Game Designer

In this episode of Majors, Minors & Maybes, we explore the fascinating world of the Medical Game Designer. The creative minds building video games, VR simulations, and interactive experiences that teach patients, train doctors, and make healthcare less intimidating. Through the story of Andie, a designer creating a game that helps kids understand and manage asthma, we uncover how gaming, medicine, psychology, and technology collide to create real-world impact. From virtual emergency rooms to patient education adventures, this episode dives into: * how medical games are developed * the science behind learning through play * what to study if you’re interested in this career * internships, volunteer opportunities, and skills that help you break into the field Whether you love coding, storytelling, healthcare, or gaming, this episode might just introduce you to a career you never knew existed. Press start on one of the most unexpected careers in healthcare. Show Notes: Medical Game Designer: Turning Healthcare Into a High-Score Mission Dr. W explores the career of medical game designers, who combine game mechanics with medical knowledge to train healthcare professionals, educate patients, support rehabilitation, and reduce anxiety before procedures using tools like VR, AR, and mobile apps. The episode follows eight-year-old Liam using a VR asthma game where levels teach triggers, inflammation, and inhaler use, improving his confidence and adherence. Andie, a biomedical engineering major with a game design minor, is introduced as the creator who partnered with clinicians and developers after seeing kids’ fear in a children’s hospital. Dr. W explains daily work like building realistic scenarios and decision trees, collaborating with medical teams, user testing, and using gameplay data as a research tool, plus pathways into the field, portfolio-building tips, workplaces, schedules, and salary ranges. 00:00 Saving Lives Like a Game 00:19 Meet Dr W and the Quest 00:48 Liam’s VR Asthma Mission 02:05 Andy Builds the Game 03:56 What Medical Game Designers Do 05:03 Office Hours Career Advice 06:44 A Day in the Job 07:55 Majors Minors and Skill Stack 09:15 Breaking In Salary and Workplaces 11:11 Why This Career Matters 11:46 Tech Data and High Scores 12:21 Wrap Up and Next Episode

The Mind Behind The Mission: The Aerospace Behavioral Scientist

From astronaut teamwork and stress management to designing safer systems for pilots and space crews, this career sits at the intersection of psychology, engineering, neuroscience, and space exploration. But what does an aerospace behavioral scientist actually do every day? How do you study human behavior when gravity disappears? And what can students study now if they dream of helping humans thrive beyond Earth? Through storytelling, curious career exploration, and practical career insight, this episode uncovers a profession most people have never heard of, but one that may shape the future of human spaceflight. Perfect for students who love psychology, aviation, STEM, human performance, design thinking, or simply asking: “How do humans adapt when the world around them changes completely?” Because sometimes the biggest challenge in space… isn’t the rocket. It’s understanding the humans inside it. Show Notes: Aerospace Behavioral Scientist: Engineering Human Resilience in Space Dr. W. introduces the career of an aerospace behavioral scientist, experts who study how astronauts think, feel, communicate, and perform during long-duration missions in confined, high-stakes environments. Through a vignette of subtle crew tension and the example of Luna, a psychology major who added human factors engineering and pursued a master’s in space psychology, the episode explains how these scientists research isolation, sleep, stress, and team dynamics using Earth-based simulations and tools like behavioral monitoring, interventions, and virtual-reality “space inoculation” training. The script outlines relevant psychology specializations, complementary majors (e.g., human factors, aerospace, data science), the typical need for graduate school, workplaces like NASA’s Behavioral Health and Performance Lab and military/aviation labs, and a salary range of $75,000–$150,000. It closes by teasing a future episode on medical game designers. 00:00 Astronaut Mindset Mystery 00:55 Life in a Tin Can 02:46 Meet Luna’s Origin Story 05:54 What They Really Do 08:05 Training and Education Path 11:20 Career Reality and Pay 11:47 Day to Day and VR 12:53 Wrap Up and Next Episode

Majors Minors & Maybes: Season 2 Trailer

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Season 2 of Majors, Minors & Maybes is back! This time, we’re digging even deeper into the careers you didn’t know existed, but suddenly can’t stop thinking about. We’re talking about the kind of jobs that make you pause mid-scroll and say, “Wait that’s a thing?” The kind of careers your guidance counselor definitely forgot to mention. The kind that sound made up… until they’re not. This season, we’re opening the door to even more curious and quietly fascinating professions, one story at a time. So, whether you’ve got a five-year plan, no plan, or a color-coded spreadsheet that’s hanging on by a thread, you’re in the right place. Because around here, curiosity is the major and everything else? Optional. Season 2 drops now and you’re going to want to take notes! Show Notes: Unexpected Paths: Careers Shaping the Future The script introduces a season focused on innovative, future-shaping careers that people often stumble upon rather than plan for, highlighting jobs most people aren’t aware exist. It invites listeners who wonder “what else could I be doing?” to follow along as the show traces unexpected paths to uncover emerging roles shaping the future before they’re widely known. Dr. W. positions the season as a guide for those seeking alternatives beyond familiar options and closes by addressing that season two begins now. 00:00 Careers You Stumble Upon 00:11 Digging for Future Jobs 00:20 Hidden World of Work 00:23 Following Unexpected Paths 00:30 Jobs You Haven't Heard Of 00:33 Shaping the Future Early 00:39 What Else Could I Do 00:42 Season Two Starts Now