Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “What can I do with a biology degree?” Well, that’s pretty normal for people interested in science. Let’s just hope you didn’t ask that while you were already in school.
If you did, then rest assured that you’ve got plenty of opportunities ahead. If not, just be sure to check a few boxes before signing up for class. Otherwise, you could get stuck doing a job you don’t really love.
What can I do with a biology degree?
Keep this fact in mind before we begin: a degree in biology isn’t useless. It’s just not always enough unless you plan to go back to school for more learning. The reason for that is many employers require masters or doctorate-level degrees for higher-paying gigs.
Still, you can do a lot with an associate’s or bachelor’s in biological science. The pay might not be great at first, but you can still land one of these exciting jobs anyway:
- Teacher
- Microbiology Lab Tech
- Ag and Food Scientist
- Pharmacy Sales Rep
- Health Communications Specialist
You can also specialize your training to qualify for more demanding positions such as:
- Park Ranger
- Science Writer
- Physicians Assistant
- Crime Lab Manager
- Genetic Counselor
Is it hard to get hired as an unemployed biologist?
Sometimes, we run out of work or lose our jobs. That ends up making us lose time and experience on the job too. In turn, some employers won’t hire unemployed scientists because they assume something went wrong. Besides, there are plenty of fresh grads to go around.
But you’re not a mistake and neither is this short span of unemployment. That’s because it gives you an opportunity to try something new. It also teaches you about new career paths and helps you determine your professional goals. So, don’t get discouraged yet. There are still many ways to find your dream job.
What can I do with a biology degree if I don’t want to work in a lab?
You don’t have to work in a science lab just because you have a biology degree. For example, did you know that one of the highest paying bio gigs is a physical therapist? That means you get to work one-on-one with patients in a clinical setting instead.
Meanwhile, other jobs let you explore the world a little more too even though you might have to visit the lab every now and then. Depending on which level of degree you earn, you could be doing lots of exciting “NON-LAB” things. So, check out these options. They’re separated based on required education:
ASSOCIATE’S
- Pharmacy and Medical Sales
- Forest Conservation Tech
BACHELOR’S
- Biology Teacher
- Health Communications Specialist
MASTER’S
- Health Educator
- Nurse Practitioner
DOCTORATE
- Biology Professor
- Product Developer
Remember, you’re in control of what you do with your degree. So, if you feel like branching out or starting a brand-new industry, there’s room for that.
