Hello, my dear listeners, and welcome to another exciting episode of the Kapel Gupta Career Pod Show. I'm your host, Kapel Gupta, and today we are diving into a fascinating and rapidly growing field, genetic counseling. Have you ever wondered about the science behind inherited traits and diseases? Or how certain genetic information can guide families in making critical health decisions? Well, stay tuned because today we are exploring the ins and outs of becoming a genetic counselor, a career that's not just about science, but also about compassion and guidance. Hello all, I'm Kapil Gupta, founder of Study Abroad Academy. I am on a mission to coach and mentor hundred thousand high school students and help them realize the dream of studying in the best universities of the world and build happy careers for themselves. Now let's get down to genetic counselors. Now, first of all, who are they? So they are not doctors, but they are an important part of your health care team. Genetic counselors are specialized in prenatal, pediatric, oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and many other areas. In addition to different specialty, genetic counselors can have roles outside of seeing patients. Now they can work in research, education, industry, marketing, and many other roles across the healthcare and genetic fields. Now, many things about you are partly or entirely determined by your DNA and most specifically by tiny variations in sections of your DNA called genes, which you inherited from your parents. Now your genes can also increase your risk of developing certain health conditions, including certain types of cancer or heart diseases. Now, genetics is the study of these genes and of your heredity. Now genetic counselors have advanced training in medical genetics and counseling to guide and support patients seeking more information about how inherited diseases and conditions might affect them or their families and to interpret genetic test results based on your personal and family history. Now you may be referred to a genetic counselor by a doctor such as an obstetrician, oncologist, or a medical geneticist to discuss your family history and genetic risk or before or after having genetic testing. Now, while genetic counselors are not medical doctors, they are part of your healthcare team and work with you and your doctor to help you understand your genetic risks based on your family history, your genetic risks for certain diseases or cancer, whether genetic testing might be right for you, or what the results of genetic tests may mean for you and your family. Now, with expertise in counseling, genetic counselors can also provide emotional support as you make decisions and empower you with information for your overall healthcare. Now let's get on to what is its scope in India and abroad. So now it's relatively new but rapidly expanding field in India. With advancements in medical genetics and increasing awareness about genetic disorders, the demand for genetic counselors is on the rise. In urban centers, major hospitals and specialized clinics are starting to offer genetic counseling services, especially in the areas of prenatal care, cancer genetics, and rare genetic conditions. Now, globally, especially in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, genetic counseling is a well-established profession. These countries offer robust training programs and certifications, and there is a high demand for qualified professionals. Genetic counselors play a vital role in healthcare teams, working alongside doctors, researchers, and other healthcare providers. And what is their nature work? Now it is multifaceted. Now here's what a typical work day might involve. Now patient consultations, that is, meeting with individuals or families to discuss their genetic risks based on personal and family health history. Then risk assessment, analyzing medical records and genetic information to assess the risk of genetic conditions. Then education and counseling. Now educating parents about genetic conditions, inheritance patterns, and the implications of genetic testing. Now providing emotional support and counseling to help patients make informed decisions. Interpreting genetic tests. Now working with labs to interpret genetic test results and explaining these results to patients in a clear and understandable way. Then collaborating with healthcare teams, so coordinating with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to integrate genetic information into patient care plans, then research and continuous learning, staying updated with the latest advancements in genetics and contributing to the research in field. So to sum up, primary duties of genetic counselors is like consult with clients and perform genetic testing to assess their risks for hereditary diseases. They interpret, test results, help physicians make diagnoses, educate patients, and discuss next steps when there is a genetic condition. Now genetic counselors usually work in hospitals or healthcare facilities, research facilities, and private consultation firms. So now let's get on to educational qualifications because you might be interested now that how to become one. So for many genetic counselors, the first step to becoming a genetic counselor is to earn an undergraduate bachelor's degree that includes coursework in genetics, biochemistry, psychology, and statistics. Ideal candidates also have experiences such as patient advocacy, counseling, scientific lab, or healthcare volunteer work. Now training to become a genetic counselor then involves earning a master's degree from a program accredited by Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, that is ACGC. This program vary in length but are typically two years long and include the following clinical experience in various genetic specialities, course work in human genetics, psychosocial counseling, bioethics, research methodology, genetic testing technology, and more, and research other independent study projects. Additional activities including education, advocacy experiences, case conferences, etc. So upon completion of a degree, certification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling demonstrates that the individual has met the standards necessary to provide competent genetic counseling. Many hospitals and clinics insist their genetic counselors be ABGC certified. So genetic counseling is a rewarding career as evidenced by the explosive growth in genetic counselors. Since 2006, the number of genetic counselors has grown by more than 100%, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of 29% for genetic counseling positions to 2026. But there is still a great need for more genetic counselors. And if we talk about the key skills, so it should be strong communication skills because they should have the ability to explain complex genetic concepts in simple terms, then empathy and counseling skills, because they need to provide support and handle sensitive information with care, then analytical skills to interpret genetic data and medical histories accurately, and then attention to detail because ensuring accuracy in genetic testing and documentation, and lastly, research skills keeping up with the latest development in genetics. Now comes the most interesting part maybe for the salaries, that is what is the pay scale. So in India, the salary of a genetic counsellor can vary widely based on experience, location, and the type of institution. Now, entry-level positions might start around 3 to 5 lakhs per annum, while experienced professionals in reputed hospitals or private practice can earn upwards of around 10 to 15 lakhs per annum. Abroad, especially in the United States, the average salary for genetic counselors is significantly higher. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for genetic counselors was around $81,000 in 2020. And in countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada, salaries are also competitive, reflecting the demand and advanced nature of the field. Then to conclude, genetic counseling is a rewarding career that blends science with compassion. As a genetic counselor, you have the opportunity to make a profound impact on individuals' lives by guiding them through critical health decisions and helping them understand their genetic makeup. Whether in India or abroad, the scope for genetic counselors is expanding, offering diverse opportunities and the chance to be at the forefront of medical genetics. Now, to reach out if you have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hello, feel free. I'm here to help and engage in meaningful conversations with you. There's a link in the description of the podcast that can help you connect with me. I would like to welcome all my dear listeners to connect with me on Instagram every Sunday at 10 a.m. in my program Open House with Kapil Gupta. So join me on Instagram to have a heart-to-heart talk. And if you found value in the podcast, help us reach more listeners by sharing with your friends, family, and colleagues who might benefit from our discussions. If you are passionate about genetics and helping others, consider exploring a career in genetic counseling. Stay curious, keep learning, and most importantly, follow your passion. Thank you for joining us on the Kapel Gupta Career Pod Show. If you found this episode insightful, don't forget to subscribe and share it with others. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep growing in your career journey. Thank you.