What can I do with a major in biology?

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Companies:
Crouse Hospital
CNY Family Care
Oswego County Ambulance Service

Titles:
Lab Technician
Veterinary Assistant
Research Assistant

Search for employers hiring graduates in your major

Employers in NY: 2,688
Employers in US: 46,762

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

Research and Development
Areas

Basic
Applied
Quality Control
Administration
Grant Writing

Employers

Industry and laboratories:

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Healthcare
  • Agriculture production
  • Food processing and safety
  • Environmental

Private research institutions
Public health departments
State and federal government:

  • National Science Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Armed Services
  • Department of Homeland Security

State and local government laboratories/agencies
Colleges and universities

Organismal Biology
Areas

Some Areas of Specialization:
Botany and Plant Sciences
Ecology and Wildlife
Marine and Aquatic
Systematic (Taxonomy)
Zoology
Entomology
Genetics
Microbiology

  • Bacteria
  • Algae
  • Fungi
  • Molds
  • Yeasts
  • Viruses
  • Protozoa
Employers

Colleges and universities, especially colleges of agriculture and veterinary medicine
Veterinary hospitals
State and federal government:

  • Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Health

Independent laboratories:

  • Food production
  • Textiles
  • Chemical
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Forestry products

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

Biomedical Sciences
Areas

Some Areas of Specialization:
Biophysics
Biochemistry
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Cytology
Genetics
Immunology
Pathology
Pharmacology
Physiology
Virology

Employers

Colleges and universities
Professional schools including colleges of pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture
Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies:

  • National Institutes of Health
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • State and local public health departments

Clinics and hospitals
Private research foundations
Independent laboratories
Pharmaceutical companies

Sample occupations

Biomedical Engineers
Geneticists

Healthcare
Areas

Medicine
Dentistry
Optometry
Podiatry
Pharmacy
Veterinary
Medicine
Allied Health
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Medical Technology
Nuclear Medicine

Employers

Hospitals
Medical centers and clinics
Nursing homes
Private practice
Armed services
Government agencies

Bioinformatics
Areas

Algorithm and Statistics Development
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Information Management: Organization and Retrieval

Employers

Colleges and universities
Private research foundations
Independent laboratories:

  • Organic and agricultural chemicals
  • Drug and pharmaceutical
  • Medical device and equipment
  • Research, testing, medical

Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies:

  • National Institutes of Health
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Department of Agriculture

National Biological Information Infrastructure

Education
Areas

Teaching

  • Elementary
  • Secondary
  • Post-Secondary

Non-Classroom Education

Employers

Universities and colleges
Medical and other professional schools
Public and private schools, K-12
Museums
Zoos
Nature centers and parks

Communication
Areas

Technical Writing
Editing
Illustrating
Photography

Employers

Publishing companies including:

  • Scientific magazines
  • Professional journals
  • Periodicals
  • Textbooks
  • 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

Sample occupations
Legislation/ Law
Areas

Lobbying
Regulatory Affairs
Science Policy
Patent Law
Environmental Law

Employers

Federal and state government
Law firms
Large corporations

Business/ Industry
Areas

Technical and Pharmaceutical Sales
Management
Consulting
Marketing

Employers

Manufacturing companies including:

  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Animal pharmaceuticals
  • Laboratory equipment
  • Medical supplies and prostheses

Marketing firms
Consulting firms

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.
  • Master's degrees allow for 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.
  • An advanced degree provides the opportunity to specialize in fields of interest.
  • The biological sciences are good preparation for a career in healthcare such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science, but 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.
  • 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.
    • The federal government is the largest employer of biologists.
  • Gain experience with grant writing and fundraising techniques.
    • Often research must be funded in this manner.