Research & Development

• 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 or agencies
• Colleges and universities

Information & Strategies

• Learn to set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, and monitor experiments.
• Select courses with laboratory components.
• 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.
• A bachelor's degree in biology qualifies one for laboratory technician or research assistant positions.
• Earn master's degree for better positions, advance opportunities, more responsibility, and higher pay.
• Obtain PhD 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.

Organismal Biology

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

Information & Strategies

• Seek related experience through coursework, part-time jobs, internships, or volunteering.
• Conduct research or assist in research including the collection of information and samples of water, soil, plants, animals, etc.
• Join student chapters of professional organizations related to your area of interest.
• Obtain a PhD for teaching, and advanced research and management positions.

Biomedical Sciences

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

Information & Strategies

• Gain laboratory experience through coursework and/or research projects with professors.
• 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.
• Join student chapters of professional organizations related to your area of interest.
• Take courses in area(s) of specialization and/or consider an advanced degree.
• Obtain a PhD for teaching and advanced research and management positions.

Healthcare

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Optometry
• Podiatry
• Pharmacy
• Veterinary medicine
• Allied health: Occupational therapy, Physical therapy
• Medicinal technology
• Nuclear medicine

Employers

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

Information & Strategies

• Plan on attending medical school or other related graduate program.
• Maintain an outstanding grade point average, particularly in the sciences.
• Secure strong faculty recommendations.
• Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically.
• Join related student organizations and demonstrate leadership abilities.
• Seek experiences in hospital or healthcare settings through volunteering, shadowing, part-time positions, or internships.
• Develop a backup plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.
• Consider alternative but related careers such as physicians assistants.
• Research all of the various fields within medicine to determine career goals.

Bioinformatics

• 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 devise 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

Information & Strategies

• 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 area of interest.
• Seek master's degree for increased advancement opportunities.

Education

• 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

Information & Strategies

• Gain experience working with students through tutoring, part-time employment, or volunteering.
• Learn to work well with all types of people.
• Develop excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills.
• Certification is required for K-12 school teachers and varies by state.
• Master's degrees may be sufficient for teaching at community or two-year institutions.
• PhD is needed for teaching opportunities at colleges and universities.

Communication

• Technical writing
• Editing
• Illustrating
• Photography

Employers

• Publishing companies including 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

Information & Strategies

• 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.
• Seek related volunteer or paid experiences with student/local publications to increase marketability.
• Obtain an advanced degree in scientific journalism.

Legislation, Law

• Lobbying
• Regulatory Affairs
• Science Policy
• Patent Law
• Environmental Law

Employers

• Federal and state government
• Law firms
• Large corporations

Information & Strategies

• Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry-specific laws and policies.
• Acquire internships in federal or state government.
• Take courses in history, political science, and/or legal studies.
• Acquire a PhD for advanced positions.
• Earn a JD degree to practice law.

Business, Industry

• Technical and pharmaceutical sales
• Management
• Consulting
• Marketing

Employers

• Manufacturing companies including pharmaceuticals, animal pharmaceuticals, laboratory equipment, medical supplies and prostheses
• Marketing firms
• Consulting firms

Information & Strategies

• Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate a high energy level.
• Take courses in anatomy, pharmacology, and chemistry.
• Obtain sales experience and/or a business minor.
• Join related student associations and hold leadership positions.
• Consider an MBA or professional science Master's for advanced management and consulting opportunities.