Biology refers to the study of life and living matter. It educates students that cells happen to be the basic unit of life, and each of them is crucial for the composition of every living thing on the planet. So, if you have a bio bachelor’s degree and are mulling over this question- what can I do with a biology degree, then read this post below!
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“What Can I Do With A Biology Degree?” Let’s start the discussion-
The wide-ranging scope of biology leads to a variety of jobs for post-graduate career seekers. Most biology graduates develop vital transferable skills during their course years and often choose careers in some advanced areas of biological research. Then they can go to work in organismal biology, field biology, and even molecular and cellular biology- depending on their specialization.
Option – I
When choosing Molecular and Cellular Biology, candidates can choose the following professions.
- Neuroscientists
- Microbiologists
- Genealogists
- Entomologists
- Botanists
- Zoologists
Option – II
On the other hand, when choosing Field Biology, candidates can also choose from the following professions.
- Ecologists
- Biologists
- Biotechnologists
- Research scientists
- Forensic scientist
- Government agent roles
- Pharmacologist
- Nature conservation officer
- Biological science writer
- Oceanographers
- Marine scientists
- Medical treatments developers
- Nutritionists
- Medical researchers
Option – III
Besides, students who don’t wish to study any more than their under graduation can also find a host of exciting job prospects.
- Laboratory technicians
- Science writers
- Biology teachers
- Biotech marketing
- Sales roles
- Food scientist
- Genetic counselors
- Physician assistants
- Environmental scientists
More Exciting Career Prospects for a Biology Student with a Master’s Degree / Doctorate Degree
In addition to the ones above, biology student(s) with a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in Biology can also go for other job options.
- Soil Scientists
- Physician
- Podiatrist
- Dentist
- Optometrist
- Physical Assistant
- Biochemist /Biophysicist
- Veterinarian
- Biological economist
- Registered nurse
- Wildlife biologist
- Biomedical engineer
- Chiropractor
- Anatomical pathology technologist
- Animal physiotherapist
- Clinical scientist in cardiac sciences
- Dental hygienist
- Dental therapist
- Orthotist/Prosthetist
- Veterinary nurse
- Sustainability consultant
- General practitioner doctor
- Health improvement practitioner
- Medical science liaison
Furthermore, these professionals guarantee lots of excitement, growth prospects, and respectful pay-outs to make an excellent livelihood.
What Key Skills Should A Biology Student Possess to Make A Successful Career?
Having a graduate degree in Biology doesn’t restrict you to one particular niche career path. However, most students who ask themselves ‘what can I do with a biology degree’ hold the notion that being a bio student means wearing a lab coat most of the time and gawking down a microscope lens.
But that’s not true, at all!
Besides this, as a bio student, you can also transfer to other fascinating and challenging job roles in this field of study. That being said, to be firstly eligible and then thriving, you will need to possess specific transferable skills.
- Ability to perform research thoroughly and consistently
- Should be able to conduct an accurate analysis of data
- Should be astute and adept in problem-solving
- Good writing skills
Additional Skill
In addition to these necessary yet crucial skills, aspiring candidates should also possess the following abilities.
Follow closely
– Ability to conduct peer reviews
– Should have impressive communication skills
– Ability to make smart decisions at crucial intervals
– Should have quality project management skills
– Should possess creativity and elegant interpersonal skills
– Ability to think strategically whenever the need arises
In other words, each of these transferable skills will be a valuable asset for students seeking employment in other industries.
Some Essential Tips for Biology Major Students
The field of biological science is vast. And regardless of which career you opt for, students need to have absolute knowledge over their chosen discipline.
To Help Students Procure A Lucrative Career, Here Are A Few Tips to Keep in Mind
Tip- 1
Being an avid student of biology, you should diversify your knowledge in your chosen field. If you are done with your Biology majors, then by now you know which field to emphasize on. But that should not be the end of it. In other words, you should focus on every small and nuanced branch, which includes in your chosen field, and gain in-depth knowledge about it.
Take, for example-
If you wish to become a marine biologist, you will need to dig deep into its smaller branches and attain comprehensive know-how. In addition to that, you have to specialize in underwater plants/animals, the ocean microbes, and their surrounding ecosystem.
Indeed, having all-inclusive know-how on each of these specializations will make you a demanding candidate for several high-paying job prospects.
Tip- 2
With that, you also need to keep your analytical skills and technical know-how properly honed and as sharp as ever. This is another crucial aspect to succeed in whatever field you choose for employment. Regardless of which industry you decide, one essential aspect of a biologist career seeker is performing research.
For instance- accumulating real-time subject data, performing precise analysis, and accurately interpreting the subject. That is to say; as a student, you have to understand each of these vital research metrics and apply them correctly in real-time scenarios and clinical studies.
You also have to possess sound technical abilities in information technology, mechanics, computing, and so on!
Remember these and prepare yourself accordingly for your debut biology job role. It will help you compete against your existing competition and may even give you an edge over them in little time.
Tip- 3
Speaking of getting a decisive edge over your competition, you can get even better your chances by taking up internships. There are lots of high-on-demand internships available for students with Biology majors.
This present day is very competitive. More often, prospective industries seek candidates with all transferrable skills, sound analytical and technical know-how, and one internship (at least) from their medical school/college.
Therefore, keeping true to this demand, you should look to enhance your CV more by enrolling in one such internship program. For aspiring candidates having an interest, here are five quality programs to choose from.
- Environmental internship
- Education internship
- Research internship
- Pre-med internship
- Data analyst internship
Best-Paying Jobs for Biology Majors (2020-21 and beyond) As Per Market Readings
Now that you have a proper answer to your worrying question – what can I do with a biology degree; it is time to check out those top-paying jobs for 2020-21. Here, I am giving some growth rate details from the Bureau of labor statistics data.
Physician
Average Median Salary – $208,000 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 13 –15% by 2026.
Dentist
Average Median Salary – $158,000 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 16 –19% between 2021-2026
Podiatrist
Average Median Salary – $128,000 – $138,740 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 10-12% between 2021- 2025
Pharmacist
Average Median Salary – $124,710 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 6-8%. As a result, over 17,000 more job opportunities will come up aspiring for candidates by 2026.
Optometrist
Average Median Salary – $110,800 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 15-18% by 2026.
Physician Assistant
Average Median Salary – $104,000 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by a staggering 37% by 2026.
Biophysicist or Biochemist
Average Median Salary – $98,000 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 8-10% between 2021 –2025
Veterinarian
Average Median Salary – $91,000 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 10% between 2021-2025
Medical Scientist
Average Median Salary – $88,000 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 11% between 2021- 25
Biology Teacher
Average Median Salary – $80,000 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 15 –18% by 2026.
Archaeologist
Average Median Salary – $74,000 – $78,000 per annum
In addition to that, the forecast for growth for this job role will likely grow by 10-12% by 2026.
Importance of the best college or universities
However, always remember to only go for the best colleges/universities in your region. There are benefits to that, as well. Firstly, you get in-depth coverage of all your course lessons by some of the best subject tutors.
Secondly, as a part of your course education, you get the scope to work with lab faculties on real-time research work.
And thirdly, the certificate you get after completion, along with the extra internship, will matter immensely when you start applying for jobs.
Summarising
Therefore, in answer to your question- ‘what can I do with a biology degree’ you can potentially be a part of all the above-job prospects.
Even as an entry-level or graduate of biology, you can choose these job profiles to polish your skills and knowledge and get real-time work experience. And once done, you can quickly transfer into a higher position and continue growing in this vast industry.
In short, now you have an answer to your question – what can I do with a biology degree, choose your field of work, and do everything in your power to achieve it. Hope this post is helpful to you, for more such posts keep visiting this page.
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