Basic
Applied
Quality control
Administration
Grant writing
Industry and laboratories:
Pharmaceutical, healthcare, agriculture, food processing and safety, environmental, biotechnology
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, and Department of Homeland Security
Colleges and universities
Learn to set up, operate, and 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 grant-funded.
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.
See also What Can I Do With a Major in Medicine?
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 adviser 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 volunteering, shadowing, part-time jobs, or internships.
Research various fields within medicine to determine career goals, and develop a back-up plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.
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 faculty-led research projects.
Learn to set up, operate, and 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.
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 (e.g., 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, advanced research, and management positions.
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
Centers for Disease Control
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.
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
Algorithm and statistical techniques
Data analysis and interpretation
Information management
Organization and retrieval
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.
Teaching:
Elementary
Secondary
Post-secondary
Non-classroom education
Public and private schools, K-12
Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
Four-year colleges and universities
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.
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 (e.g., scientific journalism or public relations).
Lobbying
Regulatory affairs
Environmental law
Science policy
Patent 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 (e.g., environment, food safety, regulatory programs).
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.
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.
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 degree allows for greater specialization in a field and more opportunities in research and 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 that generally requires a professional degree and license such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science
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, scientific, and interpersonal communication 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 processes.
Gain experience with grant writing and fundraising techniques, research is often grant-funded.