Decide what general type of career appeals to you. What aspects of Biology or working sound interesting, or rewarding. Bear in mind that most people change their career at least once; so don't be too narrow-minded. A common mistake is to concentrate on one career path so much that you are not qualified for anything else if your only choice doesn't work out. Try to be realistic, both in your own abilities and in the job market.
Find out what skills and abilities you will need for your choices. Read the brochures from graduate and professional schools, to find out what their entrance requirements are. Talk to people working in companies, government agencies and hospitals to find out what they are looking for in their employees.
Be aware of the job market. While the demand for certain types of jobs varies from year to year, you should bear in mind that some areas usually have very few openings, while others are always looking for new people.
General Information
A bachelor's degree will qualify for work as a laboratory assistant, technician, technologist or research assistant. These individuals work as a part of a team performing practical operations, e.g., operating laboratory equipment, designing and constructing new equipment, making drawings, building models and assisting in interpretation of results.
An undergraduate degree can be used for non-technical work in writing, illustration, sales, photography and legislation.
Graduate degrees will allow for more responsibility and advancement. A Master's take 2-3 years, a Ph.D. 5-7 years, however most schools will pay you to get a Ph.D.
Some work environments, particularly medical, require special certification.
Learn laboratory procedures and become familiar with equipment.
Obtain summer, part-time, volunteer, co-op or internship experience.
Complete various training courses working with laboratory equipment and procedures to enhance job skills and abilities.
Join professional associations and community organizations to enhance knowledge, abilities and contacts in the field.
Biotechnology
Areas
Research and Development
Laboratory Testing
Teaching
Employers
Colleges and universities
Pharmaceutical companies
Agricultural industry including:
Fertilizer manufacturers, animal and plant breeding and production
Federal and state government laboratories and agencies
Industry. particularly biotechnology firms
Strategies
Develop excellent laboratory skills.
Acquire Ph.D. for college and university teaching and advanced positions in research, development, and management.
Learn federal and state government job application process.
Take additional courses in science and mathematics.
Learn to problem solve.
Develop work habits that are systematic, precise and patient.
Professional School
Areas
Medical
Dental
Veterinary
Others
Employers
Self-employed
Hospitals
Research organizations
Strategies
Take the courses the schools ask for, not what you think they want.
Prepare for MCAT or equivalent test.
Get involved in the profession, volunteer, work summers etc.
Be prepared to do a lot of studying on your own, above and beyond class work.
Genetics
Areas
Research and Development related to:
Animals
Plants
Humans
Employers
Colleges and universities
Pharmaceutical manufacturers
Large producers of seed, livestock and poultry
Large fur breeding farms
Government laboratories, including:
Department of Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Service
National Institutes of Health
Strategies
Obtain Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research and management positions.
Take additional courses in science and chemistry.
Learn to problem solve.
Minor in Biochemistry.
Microbiology
Areas
Research
Teaching
Production
Quality Control
Employers
Colleges and universities
Professional schools of medicine, dentistry, public health, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and agriculture
Private research foundations
Government research laboratories and service agencies
Hospitals and public health facilities
Agricultural experiment stations
Food, chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies
Industry including: wood products, paper, textiles, optical equipment, leather and electrical equipment
Environmental and pollution control agencies
Strategies
Obtain Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research and management positions.
Take additional courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics.
Take courses related to field of interest: botany, plant pathology, chemical engineering.
Learn federal, state and local government job application process.
May need to obtain specialized certification for some medical areas. Develop necessary eye-hand coordination and group interaction skills.
Mycology
Areas
Teaching
Research
Employers
Colleges and universities
Professional schools of medicine, forestry, and agriculture
Medical research laboratories
Private research institutes
Pharmaceutical industry
Public Health Service
Industries and laboratories involved in production of food, leather, textiles, and forestry products
Chemical manufacturers
State and federal government laboratories
Strategies
Acquire knowledge and skills in specialized areas: knowledge of industry chemistry especially helpful.
Take courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics.
Acquire graduate degree for more opportunities.
Obtain Ph.D. for teaching and advanced positions in research and management.
Learn federal and state government job application process.
Systematic Biology
Areas
Teaching
Research
Employers
Private and public schools
Colleges, universities and agricultural colleges
Federal, sate and local agencies
Private research foundations
Museums, Zoos and aquariums
Botanical gardens and arboretums
Public health laboratories
Hospitals
Oil companies
Organizations involved in ecological studies
National and international environmental research programs
Strategies
Become certified/licensed for public school teaching.
Earn Ph.D. for college and university teaching and advanced research and management positions.
Learn federal, state and local government job application process.
Develop excellent laboratory skills
Develop foreign language abilities for international opportunities.
Entomology
Areas
Teaching
Research
Biological Control
Toxicology
Biological Survey
Extension
Inspection
Employers
Colleges and universities, especially colleges of agriculture and veterinary medicine
Industry, including:
Food producers and processors
Chemicals for insect control
Lumber and pulp
Chemical companies
Pest control companies
Federal and state government
Health agencies
Agricultural Experiment Stations
Inspection agencies and control boards
Conservation agencies
Museums
Strategies
Acquire Ph.D. for college and university teaching and advanced research and management positions.
Learn federal, state and local government job application process.
Specialize in areas.
Marine and Aquatic Biology
Areas
Food
Research
Inspection
Teaching
Analysis
Employers
Federal, state and local agencies
International agencies
Inspection organizations
Private recreation organizations
Research laboratories
Colleges and universities
Zoos
Armed services
Shipping industry
Manufacturing
Fish hatcheries and organizations raising fish
Strategies
Develop good foundation in mathematics, computer science, statistics and humanities.
Learn federal, state and local government job application process.
Acquire Ph.D. for college and university teaching and advanced research and management positions.
Obtain experience related to fishing and boating.
Specialize in fisheries science.
Zoology
Areas
Animal Care/Training
Research
Curator
Teaching
Employers
Specialized Areas
Wildlife preserves and parks
Zoos, aquariums and other collections of animals
Museums
Research organizations
Pharmaceutical, industrial, chemical and agricultural service industries
Federal and state agencies
Colleges and universities
Strategies
Acquire excellent communication skills.
Obtain experience working with animals and various related laboratory equipment.
Develop broad background in biology and other related subjects — chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics.
Acquire graduate degree for advancement and specialized positions.
Obtain Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research and management positions.
Learn federal and state government job application process.
Biomedical
Areas
Physiology
Biophysics
Biochemistry
Pharmacology
Nutrition
Immunology
Pathology
Research
Teaching
Quality Control
Engineering
Employers
Colleges and universities
Professional schools including: colleges of pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine and agriculture
Clinics and hospitals
Private research foundations
Drug companies
Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies
Independent testing laboratories
Public health departments
Agricultural Experiment Stations
Industrial laboratories including: chemical, petroleum, food processing, drug and cosmetic manufacturers
Armed services
Strategies
Obtain Ph.D. for college and university teaching and advanced research positions.
Acquire background in physics, organic and physical chemistry, mathematics, and anatomy.
Take courses in area(s) of specialization.
Acquire advanced degrees in areas of specialization; some may require MD..
Learn federal, state and local government job application process.
Obtain degree in biomedical engineering or engineering technology.
Technical Writing
Areas
Editing
Writing
Newspapers
Employers
Publishing companies including:
scientific magazines
professional journals
periodicals
textbooks
biological books
Strategies
Take technical writing classes or minor.
Develop strong writing skills and command of English language.
Minor in journalism.
Acquire word processing and desktop publishing skills.
Illustration
Employers
Publishing companies of:
textbooks
scientific magazines and books
Medical and veterinary colleges
Strategies
pharmaceuticals
animal pharmaceuticals
laboratory equipment
medical supplies and prostheses
Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Take courses in anatomy and pharmacology.
Obtain retail or selling experience.
Acquire a minor in business.
Hold leadership positions in campus organizations.
Join student American Marketing Association.
Technical Sales
Employers
Manufacturing firms including:
pharmaceuticals
animal pharmaceuticals
laboratory equipment
medical supplies and prostheses
pharmaceuticals
animal pharmaceuticals
laboratory equipment
medical supplies and prostheses
Strategies
Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Take courses in anatomy and pharmacology.
Obtain retail or selling experience.
Acquire a minor in business.
Hold leadership positions in campus organizations.
Join student American Marketing Association.
Biological Photography
Employers
Free-lance
Major medical, dental and veterinary schools
Research centers
Federal government
Museums
Zoological societies
Pharmaceutical companies
Publishing houses
Strategies
Acquire thorough knowledge of photographic procedures and technology.
Become skilled with medical and scientific instruments including microscopes.
Take specific courses in biological, medical and ophthalmic photography; courses in illustration and printing helpful.
Learn federal government job application process.
Legislation
Areas
Lobbyists
Employers
Congressional Fellows
Federal and state government
Companies and industries
Strategies
Acquire internships in federal or state government.
Develop excellent communications and interpersonal skills.
Learn federal and state government job application process.
