Area
Employer
Information/Strategies
Research and Development
- Basic
- Applied
- Quality Control
- Administration
- Grant Writing
- Industry and laboratories:
- Pharmaceutical
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Food processing and safety
- Environmental
- Private research institutions
- Public health departments
- State and federal government:
- National Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Food and Drug Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Armed Services
- Department of Homeland Security
- Colleges and universities
- Learn to set up, operate, maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, and monitor experiments.
- Select courses with laboratory components, and seek research experience with professors.
- Gain related experience through part-time jobs, internships, or volunteering.
- Complete a certificate training program, usually one year, to learn specialized laboratory techniques.
- Take a course in grant writing, as often research is funded in this manner.
- A bachelor’s degree in biology qualifies one for laboratory technician or research assistant positions.
- Earn master’s degree for advancement opportunities, more responsibility and higher pay.
- Obtain Ph.D. to direct research projects and lead research teams.
- Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations to gain admittance into graduate school.
Healthcare
See also What can I do with this major in medical fields?
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Pharmacy
- Veterinary Medicine
- Allied Health:
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Medical Technology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Group or private practice
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Health networks
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Mental health institutions
- Federal, state, and local health departments
- Government agencies
- Armed services
- Correctional facilities
- Colleges or universities
- Medical schools
- Large corporations
- Plan to attend medical school or other related graduate program.
- Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions.
- Maintain a high grade point average, particularly in the sciences, to improve chances of admission to graduate or professional school.
- Research accredited institutions. Check graduation rates, success rates on licensing exams, cost, location, etc. Speak with current students.
- Secure strong faculty recommendations.
- Join related student organizations and demonstrate leadership abilities.
- Seek experience in healthcare settings through volunteer, shadowing, part-time jobs, or internships.
- Research all of the various fields within medicine to determine career goals, and develop a back-up plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.
Biomedical Sciences
Some Areas of Specialization:
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Virology
- Colleges and universities
- Professional schools: colleges of pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture
- Federal government:
- National Institutes of Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Food and Drug Administration
- State and local public health departments
- Clinics and hospitals
- Private research foundations
- Independent laboratories
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Gain laboratory experience through coursework and through faculty-led research projects.
- Learn to set up, operate, maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, and monitor experiments.
- Seek internships, part-time employment and volunteer opportunities in the biomedical field. Utilize your campus career center for assistance securing government internships.
- Take courses in area(s) of specialization, such as genetics or pharmacology.
- Join student chapters of professional organizations related to your area of interest to maintain knowledge of your desired field.
- Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research and management positions, which requires navigating a competitive admissions process with strong faculty recommendations, grades, and relevant experience.
Organismal/Ecological Biology
Structure, Function, Development, Evolution
Some Areas of Specialization:
- Botany
- Ecology:
- Behavioral, community, ecosystem, evolutionary, population biology
- Conservation Biology
- Entomology
- Marine Biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology:
- Bacteria, algae, fungi, molds, yeasts, viruses, protozoa
- Taxonomy
- Zoology
- Colleges and universities, especially colleges of agriculture and veterinary medicine
- Veterinary hospitals
- State and federal government:
- National Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Food and Drug Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Independent laboratories:
- Food production
- Textiles
- Agriculture
- Pharmaceutical
- Zoos and aquariums
- Fish hatcheries
- Wildlife preserves and parks
- Conservation agencies
- Botanical gardens and arboretums
- Museums
- Agricultural experiment stations
- Inspection agencies and control boards
- National and international environmental organizations
- Private recreation organizations
- Conduct research or assist in research including the collection of information and samples of water, soil, plants, animals, etc.
- Pursue extensive laboratory and research experience by working with faculty, through independent research classes, as a student employee, or through other departmental programs.
- Plan to gain related part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer experiences.
- Seek additional coursework in an area of specialty, i.e., botany, ecology, genetics.
- Join student chapters of professional organizations related to your area of interest.
- Build relationships with faculty who can serve as graduate school references, and maintain a high GPA for competitive admission to medical school.
- Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research and management positions.
Biotechnology
- Medicine
- Agriculture
- Food Science
- Biological Engineering
- Bioremediation
- Environmental Protection/Regulation
- Biotechnology Companies:
- Agricultural chemicals
- Food safety
- Pharmaceutical
- Medical device and equipment
- Research and testing
- Federal government:
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Plant propagation and production businesses
- Colleges and universities
- Gain practical experience conducting research, collecting and analyzing data, and using laboratory/field techniques in collaboration with professors and through internships.
- Hone your ability to gather, assess, evaluate, interpret, and share technical and scientific information.
- Seek current knowledge of medical, agricultural, pharmaceutical, or environmental issues, trends, regulations.
Join horticultural, agronomy, biotechnology clubs or other student professional associations to network and cultivate related academic interests. - Pursue a master’s or doctoral degree to specialize and for advancement in the field. Some federal and private agency and research positions require a graduate degree.
- Maintain a strong grade point average to be competitive for graduate school admission.
Bioinformatics
- Algorithm and Statistical Techniques
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Information Management
- Organization and Retrieval
- Colleges and universities
- Private research foundations
- Software development firms
- Biotechnology companies:
- Agricultural chemicals
- Pharmaceutical
- Medical device and equipment
- Research and testing
- Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies:
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Develop multiple areas of specialization through coursework, minors, double-majors in molecular biology, mathematics, statistics, computer science, or machine learning.
- Develop strong programming and database management skills; fluency in several programming languages is helpful.
- Learn biological software systems.
- Complete an internship in the areas of tool building, usage, or maintenance.
- Seek master’s or Ph.D. degree for increased advancement opportunities.
Education
- Teaching:
- Elementary
- Secondary
- Post-Secondary
- Non-classroom Education
- Public and private schools, K-12
- Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
- Four-year institutions
- Professional schools: colleges of pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture
- Museums
- Zoos
- Nature centers and parks
- Gain experience working with students through tutoring, part-time employment, or volunteering.
- Learn to work well with people of varying backgrounds and skills.
- Develop excellent interpersonal, communication, and content area knowledge.
- Complete a teacher preparation program for K-12 positions, which varies by state. A major in content area is required for secondary education in most states.
- Master’s degrees may be sufficient for teaching at community or two-year institutions.
- Seek Ph.D. for teaching opportunities at colleges and universities.
Communication
- Technical Writing
- Editing
- Illustrating
- Photography
- Public Relations
- Publishing companies: scientific magazines, professional journals, periodicals, textbooks, and online publishers
- Newspapers
- Educational and scientific software companies
- Zoological and environmental societies
- Medical, dental, and veterinary colleges
- Research centers
- Federal government agencies
- Related nonprofit organizations
- Museums
- Acquire thorough knowledge of photographic procedures and technology.
- Take specific courses in biological, medical, and ophthalmic photography; courses in illustration and printing are also helpful.
- Develop strong writing skills and command of the English language.
- Take advanced courses in technical writing or journalism classes or consider a minor in either.
- Join professional associations like the National Association of Science Writers or the Public Relations Student Society of America.
- Seek related volunteer or paid experiences with student/local publications to increase marketability.
- Consider earning an advanced degree in a communications field to specialize, i.e. scientific journalism or public relations.
Legislation/Law
- Lobbying
- Regulatory Affairs
- Science Policy
- Patent Law
- Environmental Law
- Nonprofit or Public Interest
- Mediation
- Law firms
- Corporations
- State and federal government:
- Department of Energy
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Environmental compliance services companies
- Regulatory commissions
- Advocacy organizations
- Develop strong research and writing skills. Enhance communication skills through public speaking courses, debate team, or Toast Masters (a public speaking organization).
- Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, laws and policies specific to area of interest, i.e. environment, food safety, regulatory programs, etc.
- Acquire internships in federal or state government. Utilize applicable websites and seek assistance from your college career center.
- Take courses in history, political science and/or legal studies to supplement science curriculum.
- To pursue a J.D., participate in mock trial and pre-law associations, learn law school admissions process.
Business/Industry
- Technical and Pharmaceutical Sales
- Management
- Consulting
- Marketing
- Manufacturing companies:
- Food/Feed
- Agricultural chemicals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Medical device and equipment
- Consumer products
- Marketing firms
- Consulting firms
- Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstrate a high energy level.
- Take courses in anatomy, pharmacology, and chemistry to supplement curriculum. Consider a business minor.
- Seek experience through part-time jobs and internships in business; experience in sales may be necessary for some positions.
- Join related student associations and pursue leadership positions.
- Be prepared to start in entry level positions, such as management trainee programs.
- Consider an MBA or Professional Science Master’s to advance into higher levels of business management, consulting, research, and brand management.
General Information and Strategies
- A bachelor’s degree will qualify one for work as a laboratory assistant, technician, technologist, or research assistant in education, industry, government, museums, parks, and gardens.
- An undergraduate degree can also be used for nontechnical work in writing, illustration, sales, photography, and legislation.
- A master’s degrees allow for greater specialization in a field and more opportunities in research and administration. Some community colleges will hire Master’s level teachers.
- Doctoral degrees are necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching, and independent research.
- The biological sciences are good preparation for a career in healthcare such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science, and professional degrees and licenses are also necessary to practice in these fields.
- Learn laboratory procedures and become familiar with equipment.
- Obtain summer, part-time, volunteer, co-op, or internship experience to test the fields of interest and gain valuable experience. Take independent research classes if possible.
- Participate in summer research institutes. Submit research to local poster competitions or research symposiums.
- Develop strong analytical, computer, mathematics, and communications skills.
- Join professional associations and community organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts.
- Read scientific journals related to your area of interest.
- Maintain a high grade point average to improve chances of graduate and professional school admission.
- Become familiar with the specific entrance exam for graduate or professional schools in your area of interest.
- Secure strong relationships and personal recommendations from professors and/or employers.
- Consider completing a post-doctoral experience after graduate school.
- Learn federal, state, and local government job application process.
- Gain experience with grant writing and fundraising techniques. Often research must be funded in this manner.
