SUNY Oswego - Career Services
- Career Communities
- Major And Career Exploration
- Resumes and Cover Letters
- Networking, Personal Branding and LinkedIn
- Job and Internship Searching
- Graduate School
- Online Career Tools
- Affinity Group Resources
- Compensation Negotiation
- Events
- Graduate Outcomes
- Information for
- Resource Center
- Connect with us
What can I do with a major in biochemistry?
SUNY Oswego - Career Services
- Career Communities
- Major And Career Exploration
- Resumes and Cover Letters
- Networking, Personal Branding and LinkedIn
- Job and Internship Searching
- Graduate School
- Online Career Tools
- Affinity Group Resources
- Compensation Negotiation
- Events
- Graduate Outcomes
- Information for
- Resource Center
- Connect with us
View videos of professionals describing a day on the job
Join a student organization today
Biology Club Chemistry Club Pre-Health Care Club Pre-Optometry Club Pre-Veterinary ClubSearch for opportunities
Companies:
Boston College
Novelis
Bristol Myers Squib
Titles:
Cell Culture Operator
Lab Technician
Organic Chemistry Lab Assistant
Explore the numerous career fields related to your major
Areas
Basic Research
Applied Research
Grant Writing
Administration
Some areas of specialization:
- Healthcare: virology, immunology, enzymology
- Pharmacology: drug properties, interactions, application and development
- Environmental: testing, air/water/waste management, regulation
- Agricultural: crop production, herbicide/pesticide development and application
- Food science: preservation, nutrition
- Cosmeceutical: development and application
- Forensic: toxicology, DNA analysis, scientific instrumentation
Employers
University laboratories
Federal government laboratories/agencies:
- National Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Energy
- Armed Services
State and local government laboratories/agencies
Public health departments
Hospital laboratories
Commercial medical laboratories
Private testing laboratories including forensics
Independent research foundations Industries:
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotechnology
- Food processing
- Cosmetic
- Chemical
- Petroleum
- Agricultural
Areas
Elementary
Secondary
Post-Secondary
Non-Classroom Settings
Employers
Public and private schools, K-12
Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
Four-year institutions
Professional schools including colleges of:
- Pharmacy
- Dentistry
- Medicine
- Veterinary medicine
- Agriculture
Museums
Zoos
Nature centers and parks
Areas
Medicine
Dentistry
Optometry
Podiatry
Pharmacy
Chiropractic
Veterinary Medicine
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Public Health
Employers
Hospitals
Colleges or universities
Medical centers and clinics
Private and group practice
Health networks
Nursing homes
Rehabilitation centers
Correctional facilities
Large corporations
Armed services
Government agencies
State and local public health departments
Areas
Sales/Marketing
Technical Writing
Scientific Journalism
Scientific Illustration
Regulatory Affairs
Administration/Management
Scientific/Technical Recruiting
Intellectual Property/Patent Law
Bioinformatics
Employers
Biotechnology industry
Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
Publishers: textbook, magazine, newspaper, book
Software firms
Regulatory agencies
Search firms
Law firms
Legal departments of corporations
General information and strategies
- Biochemists are typically curious and creative with strong observational skills and the ability to persevere.
- Biochemists often interact with scientists from other disciplines.
- Learn to work independently and as part of a team.
- Develop the ability to communicate clearly to compile and share results in oral and written forms.
- Gain competencies in computers and mathematics.
- Read scientific journals to stay current on relevant issues in the field, and join related professional organizations to network and build contacts.
- As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
- Visit government laboratories or research centers to learn more about opportunities in biochemistry.
- Schedule informational interviews to learn about the profession and specific career paths.
- Participate in research programs sponsored by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
- Consider a certificate program or specialized master's program to qualify for research technician positions.
- Earn a master's degree for greater variety and autonomy on the job.
- Earn a Ph.D. to work on high-level research projects, to direct research programs, to enter high levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary institutions. (Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.)
- Combine an undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a degree in law, computer programming, business, education, information science, or other discipline to expand career opportunities.
- Learn the job application process for government positions.